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Peg Cheng

Author + Blogger + Teacher

May 28, 2015 By Peg Cheng

Creating the Cover for The Contenders

The Contenders Cover

I’m so excited to show you the cover of my middle-grade novel, The Contenders!

I have to say–having a cover designed for your novel has got to be the most FUN part of the self-publishing process.

I mean, you get to see your novel conceptualized in different fonts, drawings, and photos. If you’re a visual person like me, it’s incredibly exciting to see a visual representation of your story. And, except for giving feedback, you don’t have to do any of the work. What could be better?

Here’s how I went from nothing to awesome cover in just three weeks.

First, I searched on Google for “book cover designer.” That turned up a ton of links. I must have perused about twenty different design sites before I found one that had covers that I liked and where the design fee fit my budget. I chose Kit Foster of Kit Foster Design.

Second, I emailed Kit. His assistant, Robert Chazz Chute, who is also an author, got back to me quickly with a cover brief form to fill out. It only took me about an hour to complete the form and send it back, along with a sample chapter from my novel.

Third, I paid half the fees in order to get started. Since I’m publishing The Contenders as both an ebook and a print book, I went for the two cover package that cost 150 British Pounds. That translates to roughly $237 US, which is a slamming good deal.

This is where the fun begins.

It took about a week for Kit to get back to me with four different designs. It was so exciting to see them! I sent my feedback to Robert, who then passed it on to Kit. Another day or two later, Kit sends me four more designs with my suggested tweaks. This was even more exciting to receive. From this batch, I chose the winner which is the cover you see posted above.

From there, Kit worked on the print cover using the back cover copy I had sent earlier. It took another week or so with back and forth feedback and tweaks, and the print cover was finished. I paid the other half of the fees at this point.

To recap, I sent my initial email to Kit Foster Design on May 2nd, and my ebook and print book covers were finished by May 22nd.

Three weeks total.

Awesome, huh?

Thank you, Robert and Kit! I love my book cover. I also love how easy it was to work with you.

So, if you’re self-publishing your novel, and want a professional cover design, check out Kit Foster Design. Hope you have as much fun with the process as I did.

Peg Cheng is the author of The Contenders, a middle-grade novel centered on the question, can enemies become friends? She is also the founder of Prelaw Guru, a law school application consulting company, and the author of The No B.S. Guides for prelaw students.

Filed Under: Self Publishing Tips, The Contenders

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brenda Olson says

    July 6, 2015 at 1:09 PM

    I love your blog and am learning about the intricate process of self publishing through Pegsville posts.

    The cover on your novel is amazing! I can’t wait for my copy of The Contenders!

    Reading ready,
    Brenda ☺️

    • Peg Cheng says

      July 6, 2015 at 9:41 PM

      Thanks, Brenda! So glad you’re enjoying my posts and that they’re helping you learn about self-publishing. I love the cover too–thanks! Can’t wait to hear what you think of The Contenders.

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What people are saying…

Lizz Zitron, College Professor

The Contenders is the middle grade novel you’ve been waiting for: diverse characters who are funny and real. Eunice and her friends and family feel so real–they are flawed, kind, complex, a little mean at times, and just wanting to find their place in the world. Highly recommended for every middle school collection.

Jas Hothi, Author + Entrepreneur

I’ve done my fair share of personal finance reading and, well, Rebel Millionaire is probably the single best thing I’ve read. Why? So effortlessly simple and effective. As I’m about to turn 31, this is just the nudge I needed to start saving and investing for my future. Thank you, Peg, and Plaid Frog Press!

Laila Atallah, Career Coach

What I love so much about your writing is how personal it is. It gives me permission to accept and love my own humanity, while also giving really helpful tips and mindset shifts, and next steps too.

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