Design an eye-catching cover for a fantasy adventure about a thief!

Robin Lythgoe

I write fantasy adventure novels for ages 13 and up.

I need a front and back cover for e-books and print editions of a fun fantasy adventure novel. I´m searching for a new cover to try to generate some attention—the current cover is good, but too serious.

Book Title: As the Crow Flies
by Robin Lythgoe

***ABOUT THE BOOK***

Master thief Crow is coerced into working alongside the law-man who has dogged him for years. The two must first weather each other as they trek through dangerous lands, a haunted cave, and into a temple guarded by blade, sorcery, and a mother dragon.

The story moves along at a good clip while still including lots of sumptuous detail as well as comedy, tragedy, magic, dangerous heists and, yes, the dragon. Humor is a major part of the story, but is not the main focus.

Crow has been described as likable, despicable, arrogant, caring, flawed, and talented. (All contradictions, yes.) He is a thief, not a fighter (he leaves the fighting to others). He is dark-haired, dark-eyed, slightly built, and attractive without being especially memorable.

***COVER IDEAS***

In spite of the humor element, I do NOT want anything “cartoony.”

I imagine an illustration of the character with a cloak swirling around him and turning into a flock of crows (dispersion-style, perhaps). The picture “Ronin Samurai” (https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.co…46c6d1.jpg) shows a good general idea of the flavor I’m looking for, but 1) no weapons, and 2) more of a wool-and-leather look than Japanese. Instead of the usual weapons, he might have a grappling hook in one hand, and a flare of bright green magic in the other.

The character should dominate the scene, and the background should be more evocative than specific. A good example of character + background might be The Alchemist of Souls (http://angryrobotbooks.com/wp-conte…144dpi.jpg), or Assassin’s Quest (https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon…qJsvIL.jpg)

I want stylized fonts that are easily legible on a small screen, or in black-and-white. You might possibly make use of the crow theme (bird, shape, feathers…), though this is not an absolute requirement.

I would like to incorporate runes—not Germanic, but using something “alien” such as Alien Gantz font or Clavat Script. These should be included in a subtle manner, hinting at magic but only if you’re looking for that detail. They might possibly be bright green, as they are in the story, but I realize that might defeat the request for subtlety. They might be included as a border as on A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (http://projectfandom.com/wp-content…Cover1.jpg) or as a texture.

No white or black backgrounds.

I want to make sure there is potential to do further covers that "brand" the series.

Do not use previously existing designs. Copyright infringement is bad juju. Please be original!

***BLURB***

For a thief, getting caught is never a good thing. Getting caught by a wizard is even worse.

"One more job" meant that Crow, a notorious thief, could retire with the woman of his dreams, but "one more job" may just mean his life.

When he sets out to abscond with that last brilliant treasure and seek a life of ease and pleasure with the jewel of his heart, Crow seriously underestimates his mark, the Baron Duzayan. Under threat of death by poison, Crow is coerced into stealing an improbable, mythical prize. To satisfy the wizard's greed and save the life of his lady love, he must join forces with Tanris, the one man he has spent his entire career avoiding.

But what's a man to do when stealing that fabled prize could level an empire and seal his fate?

From a dungeon black as night to the top of a mountain peak shrouded in legend, a man’s got to do what he must.

Until, of course, he can think of a better plan…

>>UPDATE
Crow's clothing: A woolen shirt and leather vest, wool trousers and knee-high leather boots. He wears a loose wool coat as well. Layers, because it's cold. He also likes "good" things, so they will have some form of decoration as well—quilting, beads, embroidery. He has a wide-brimmed hat that has seen better days. Feel free to include it or not.

Important: NO black backgrounds. I am looking for something more light-hearted, adventurous, humorous.