My next book is pretty darn close to being published. Jose Leyenda and the Wailing Woman is a middle grade book…The first in a planned series of seven books (if people are clamoring for it). I’d say in about a month it will be ready to purchase on Amazon! It’s currently being edited for grammar one last time. Then it will be formatted for text and font. But right now, I need a book cover. I know how much y’all love being a part of this process. It’s so exciting!
First, let me just say that I didn’t get nearly as many design choices for this book as I did for Closeted Life of Claude Hartel. I once again used 99 Designs which is an awesome website where graphic designers essentially create and propose designs for whatever you may need. Because this book is “middle grade,” which means a book for readers between the ages of 8-12, I envision an animated movie type of cover, something similar to the Harry Potter. I picture a book cover that seems almost cartoony, like Scooby Doo or a Nickelodeon show. I believe that this kind of cover would attract and engage children. In general, I can now see that designing a cover like this is much more difficult than designing a cover for Claude Hartel. That book cover, for young and new adults, could have inanimate things, no faces being shown, more abstract and symbolic concepts. Designers could use photos for that cover. This book cover would pretty much have to be drawn “by hand” on the computer. Much, much more complex, I would think.
Anyways, I got fewer choices. But I do like a couple of them. Before we get to the fun part, here’s what this book is about…And, yes, it’s the complete opposite of Claude Hartel. The back cover and book description will read:
“Jose Leyenda is the kind of eleven-year-old who daydreams about Freddy Krueger and Jason Vorhees when he should be focusing on a soccer game. He tries to be the soccer star his papa wants him to be, but Jose’s true love is American horror. He’d much rather stay up late to the glow of his television, giddy for terror.
When Jose witnesses a girl trudging zombie-like into a creek to drown herself, it isn’t a movie—It’s for real! Jose saves her. From a moan echoing in the distance and the girl’s eyes glazed over, Jose concludes that she was possessed, but no one will listen to him, especially his disappointed dad.
Jose’s got to do something before another child drowns. What’s haunting his city? Where’s the moan coming from?
He enlists the help of his two best friends, the funny, taco-obsessed Lalo and the smart, Mexican music-loving Nancy, and they embark on a thrilling adventure to solve the mystery of La Llorona, a horror legend straight from Mexico.
As the mystery reveals a family torn apart by secrets, Jose must save himself and all the children in Milwaukee from the cold, dark clutch of the wailing ghost.
Can he resist her possession? Will he listen to his heart and reconcile with his father? Even his favorite American horror films couldn’t prepare him for this!”
I am excited to have kids read this fun horror mystery. It’s especially cool, I think, cause the setting is the Southside of Milwaukee. My editors have said one of the best parts of the novel is my description of this place. It’ll be a blast to have young people from around Milwaukee see their home in a book…Well, that’s if they purchase and read it, of course 🙂
Alright. Lets get to the fun part. I will simply post the cover options. I obviously have thoughts on all of them and I have a couple of favorites. (A few of them are…Well, really bad!) Lets see if y’all agree with me. Let me know which number I should choose!
Keep in mind…I will continue to work with these designers to truly polish and perfect these book covers. So comment below or on Facebook which option you think is best for a spooky fun book for kids ages 8-12.
Some housekeeping things–
- Remember you can get The Closeted Life of Claude Hartel on Amazon today! Purchase it HERE 🙂
- Wanna join a conversation about the book? Click HERE to learn more 🙂
- A new entry has been posted to my surrogacy blog…Check it out HERE 🙂
Read a book today people. Peace!
Joe Neman : Writer 