Coming up with a book cover concept is one of the many banes in the Author’s side.
It’s one of the things that writer’s wish someone else would do because it hits a part of the brain, we’d rather reserve for writing.
Whenever I think of a cover, I think of what I need on there in order to get you, (the reader) to open up and see what’s going on.
This is a small project and with it being a small budget (a very small budget) for this book, I decided to do the first cover myself.
I wanted to embody a sort of party environment; A Mardi Gras theme, plus I didn’t have a green color cover.
I found the model for this book when I was out searching for a cover for Wicked Chances.
As soon as I saw her, I knew that’s who would be Maxine (or who the readers would see Maxine as.)
The bowed head was the key in the photo. Subdue and docile, the model gave just enough to let my readers know I was doing something just a little different.
The colorful mask was also the key. Most of the models had dark mask on, but I didn’t want the book cover to have more colors on it, although the main theme was a black model and a green cover.
For the writers that are reading, here are the technical aspects of what I created.
Here’s the before and after picture: 
My sixteen year old suggested I used Pixlr.com. She used to take pictures in the bathroom and she hated posting those on Facebook, so she started using this online software in order to keep up great resolution unlike other online software that would change the pixel count.
Pixlr allows you to use layers, so instead of the blue background I switched to the green.
I don’t know about you, but she actually looked a little brighter with the green.
After I cut off the edges of the background of the photo, I imported the photo into a word document.
After I added the text and color with various text boxes I printed the document as pdf. Copying the document at 350% as a snapshot, I pasted the file in a paint document and then saved it as a .jpg.
Sounds easy?
I know it probably doesn’t, but it worked for me and I hope you the reader enjoy the book cover.
MORE ABOUT DARK FACADE
The Set up:
Maxine, an AA graphic designer who has no life, realizing that her best friend and coworker disappeared the day after telling Maxine she was going out on a hot date with a man she met on the Internet.
Now it’s up to Maxine to find out what happened to Lisa and who was this mysterious man who emailed his picture to her friend that Maxine just can’t stop thinking about.
How You Can Get your copy:
It will be available on Smashwords, an eventually through other chains in two books. (Unfortunately, since Amazon doesn’t load Smashwords book, Kindle readers will have to upload their copy as a mobi file and then open it in your documents.)
The first book is the introduction of the protagonists and of course The Masquerade.
The second book will go deeper in the “rabbit hole” and try to fix what was torn asunder in book one between Maxine and “her master.”
Here’s the temporary cover that was designed in the early stages when I first started the book. I want to keep reminding the old readers the cover is changing because I don’t want them to think there’s another book.
Plus, I might keep this cover as a showcase for other books to come for the Dark Facade series.
I was thinking about maybe some short stories about “the club.”
Okay, without further ado, here is the Book 1: Dark Facade Cover for your enjoyment.
Please let me know what you think and if you’re interested in the drop date, we are going for January 20th. I want to make sure Book two is well underway before I drop the first book and the cover to Book three should be done by then.
Working a Series is no joke and I want to do another read through to make sure it has as little errors as possible.
I also will say the first book’s price will be .99cents and I will have it at Smashwords and then at Amazon too, but I really need the reviews on the story guys to get others to get on board and read it.
I’m asking my readers for your help in your support. Even if you become an affiliate and make a little change. I really would love everything you can do.
Thanks in advance and now I need you to give me your opinion about the book cover.
Biting nails waiting for you to tell me what you think…
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I like how the different colors blend together. The green does bring an appealing look to the cover.
like i said i don’t have any covers that are green and I wanted to bring something different to the fold and not too dark
I agree with what you have accomplished. The coloring adds to the intrigue of the story — it draws you In — it makes you want to see what this is all about and why. Where is this going.. Great work on both covers I also agree on the “Facade…” cover idea as a continued reminder of the series. Keep up the good work girl!!!!
thank you mary. i hope i bring it!!!
I LOVE the cover! It POPS to the reader. I can’t wait for the story to start.
I just LOVE the cover. It POPS out at the reader. I can’t wait for the story to begin!!!
I can’t wait either.
Jan 20th feels so close but so far away
The second cover overshadows the first. It’s bold and eye catching. Displaying another side of your creativity, great job.
that means a lot Mona !
I love the cover. The green really helps everything to look smooth (for lack of a better word). The cover alone is enough to have me on the edge of my seat biting my nails just to open the book and begin reading. Great job. I know the book itself will be amazing of course due to it’s author.
Like always you give your all. I love the cover. I started reading your books about, three weeks ago and I’m hook. I can’t wait to read this book.
Bev
Hi Ms. Sylvia,
I really like this cover. I ( being from La. the culture state of Madi Gras) can see the intrigue in the mask itself. The green background makes the mask pop and brings out the colors if Madi Gras in the mask. The mask makes me, the reader, think that there is something elegant, mysterical, and secretive about the novel. The Gold writing of the title also caught my attention. Nice job Ms. Sylvia. I can hardly wait to see what the other covers for the other stories are going to look like. I also like the red and gold cover you had in the previous post. Now, I am patiently awaiting the novel to come out. I think that Jan. 20th is just fine. By that time, we the readers will be really ready for our Sylvia Hubbard fix.
Your loyal fan,
Stephanie
Can’t wait and love the cover.
Nicely done, looking forward to the read
awww thanks nik! working hard to punch this out and release this baby by the 20th. with the book tour, the anthology coming up in february and this series, my spring of 2013 should be very busy!
Hi Ms. Hubbard, I know I’m suppose to be commenting on the book cover but something else caught my eye instead. Although, I did notice the green but not in the right place. I quickly fell in love with your work because you provide so much reading in a single book compared to other authors without charging a lot. I noticed you will be pricing the first book at $.99. I would greatly pay more because your work is so worth it. If you are able to have the book on your website with an option to donate please let your readers know.
another option is to gift the book to get others to start reading the series or do a giveaway of the book as a gift on your website, FB page or twitter. Smashwords gives you that option and charges you for the giveaway. you just need the person’s email. (hint hint hint.)
Since this is my first endeavor as a series, I want to make sure I have support of a growing fan base as the series increase in price for each book.
PS I appreciate the donation and I’m going to start doing a wishlist to help me on the projects i want to do so you guys can support my endeavors