Which Cover Wins? Vote for My Debut Romance Novel, Meet Me in the Market
I'm an indie author. That means I do everything when it comes to publishing my books. If I had the means, I would outsource some of these tasks, but I do not. I have my own imprint. I write, format, and design my own book covers. I do invest in a good editor because that is one thing I cannot do myself. I do my best to market my books to get them into the hands of readers. It's a lot of work, and honestly, I would love to just be a writer. However, designing book covers has been a lot of fun, and designing the cover for my debut contemporary romance, Meet Me in the Market, is no exception.
This is my first work of fiction, and contemporary romance has always been one of my favourite genres to read. I had no idea about all the unwritten rules of romance book cover design until now. I designed four covers, and now I need your help choosing which one to use.
The Story
Cheyenne Roberts has a system: grocery delivery, a full Netflix queue, and a promise to herself that she doesn't need anything she doesn't already have. Then her best friend hijacks her phone, builds her a dating profile, and Chy finds herself asking a stranger his favourite ice cream flavour. He says vanilla. She almost swipes left.
Liam is a chef about to open a restaurant on Ottawa's Sparks Street, warm, disarming, and far too interested in a woman who hasn't picked up a paintbrush in nine years. They agree to be friends. It's easier that way. He doesn't want kids. She comes with two. But between the art he commissions before he's seen a single piece and the city he keeps showing her one street at a time, Chy starts wanting things she stopped letting herself want.
Meet Me in the Market is a slow-burn love story about the life you put on hold and the person who makes you want to start again, set against the seasons of Ottawa and the ByWard Market.
Designing the Book Cover for My Romance Novel
#1 Table Talk
Apparently, people really love romance covers that feature the couple. I designed this cover to show Chy and Liam, the main characters, on one of their "friend dates." Food and Ottawa are their own background characters in this story.
#2 Two Cones
There is always room for ice cream in this novel, even if it’s just vanilla.
#3 ByWard Market
Ottawa’s ByWard Market or “the Market” is a neighborhood popular for it’s eateries, market stalls, boutiques, and coffee shops. The Ottawa sign, featured on this cover, sits at the entrance of the Market on York St.
#4 Cone & Brushes
This cover is a nod to both the ice cream and Chy as a painter.
Vote for Your Favourite Cover
Now that you have seen all of the options, it’s time to cast your vote. When you do, you will be entered to win one of three advanced copies of Meet Me in the Market before it hits the shelves in February. Vote here. I can’t wait to see which one wins!
