Calling All Readers: Let’s Create a Legendary Cover for Chronicles of a Hero!
The Hero’s Journey Isn’t Complete Without Your Cover Ideas!
Hey, Got a Minute? Let’s Chat About the New Cover for Chronicles of a Hero!
Hey, you.
Yeah, you.
Pull up a chair.
We need to have a little chat because I’ve got something exciting on my mind, and I need your help.
I just finished the first novel in the Chronicles of a Hero series—yeah, it’s finally done. It’s been a long road, but this thing is ready to meet the world.
Challenge: I need a cover.
Not just any cover, but the cover. You know, the one that stops people in their tracks and makes them say, “Whoa, I need to read this.”
So, who better to help me than someone who gets it—someone who loves this story as much as I do?
That’s where you come in.
I’m not just throwing ideas into the void here.
I want your feedback.
Let’s brainstorm, okay?
What do you see when you think of Chronicles of a Hero?
When you picture the first book, what’s the first image that comes to your mind?
Is it something iconic, like one of the characters? Wendell’s awkward grin, maybe, as he stumbles into situations way over his head? Or is it something bigger, like the world itself—the landscapes, the environments, that mix of fantasy and tech that’s so much a part of this universe?
I’ve been leaning toward something that captures both the chaos and the potential for greatness that defines Wendell’s journey.
But then again, this story is bigger than just him.
There’s the mystery, the danger, the humor—how do you feel about that? Should we go with a visual that’s fun, adventurous, or something that hints at the bigger dangers and challenges lurking just beyond the page?
What colors and vibes stand out to you?
When you think of Chronicles of a Hero, what kind of color palette comes to mind?
I’ve been toying with blues and purples—something that gives a feeling of mystery and adventure, with a touch of epicness.
Yes, that IS a word…Thor said so.
But maybe you’re thinking something completely different—like something brighter, more dynamic? Or maybe a contrast between light and dark to represent Wendell’s personal growth?
Tell me, if this book was sitting on a shelf, what colors would make you reach out and grab it?
What about the characters—how should they be presented?
This one’s big.
We’ve got Wendell, our unlikely hero, and his whole crazy cast of friends and foes.
Should we feature Wendell front and center? Or maybe you think the cover should focus on the world he’s thrown into—leaving his face to the imagination? I could go the route of some other fantasy novels and make the cover character-focused, but part of me wonders if the world and the story’s vibe would stand out more with something more abstract or symbolic.
What do you think? Is this a character-driven cover or more of an epic, “look at the adventure that awaits” cover?
Should there be a symbol or a specific scene?
Here’s a wild thought: What if we focus on a single symbol or scene?
I’m talking about something like the Ithari, or maybe a crucial moment from the book, like when Wendell first gets pulled into his new reality. Something that speaks to the core of the story without giving away too much.
Or should we go completely symbolic?
I’ve always been a fan of covers that make you curious—like a puzzle you want to solve. Maybe something that’ll make people go, “What is this all about? I have to know.”
What do you think? Should we give people a glimpse of a scene or lean into the mystery?
What kind of covers catch your eye?
Let me ask you this: When you’re browsing for books, what kind of covers pull you in?
Is it the big, bold, in-your-face ones with characters posed heroically?
Or is it something subtler—covers that make you curious, that hint at something deeper, without giving everything away?
And how do you feel about typography? Do you like big, dramatic titles, or should the art speak for itself and let the title hang back a bit?
Help me out here, I need your vision!
Look, I could go on and on, but I’d rather hear from you.
What do you think this cover needs?
How do we strike the balance between showing off Wendell’s wild adventure and keeping enough mystery to draw readers in?
Drop me a comment, shoot me an email, send a smoke signal—however you want to reach me. I’m all ears.
Because, let’s face it, this book might be my story, but it’s also yours.
We’ve been on this journey together, and I want this cover to be something that makes us both proud.
Something that you can look at and say, “Yep, that’s the one.”
Let’s Keep This Conversation Going!
So here’s the deal—I don’t want this to be a one-way street. Let’s get a conversation going, not just between you and me, but with the whole community.
What do they think?
Let’s hash out ideas, throw around thoughts, and create something that really speaks to all of us.
The more minds, the better.
Hit me with your best ideas, or just tell me what pops into your head first.
I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Seriously, let’s make this cover unforgettable.
I personally think either a dramatic scene from the book or a heroic Wendell would be the way to go. Those tend to be the type of covers that draw me to reading a story because I want to find out more about the person or scene depicted. The thing I like about a dramatic scene being the cover is I always close the book to look at the cover when I get to that part in the book. Maybe it’s because of my lack of imagination, but it makes the story come more to life for me if I have some help visually with the characters. 😅
I kind of like the idea of the silhouette of Wendell looking toward Til-Thorin. I don’t know how well it would work with your art style, but if it does work, it could look really cool. I do think though, that no matter what you choose to do, it will be perfect for this book.