Time for Redemption by Helen Henderson

 

Fire and Amulet by Helen Henderson
Click the title for purchase information

Reaching the landmark 70,000 words on a work-in-progress is always exciting...and terrifying. It means there are only a few more scenes (or more likely a few more chapters) to write. Then comes the really hard part, developing the cover concept, writing the blurb, and scheduling the book launch events. I don't have to work on the last part until after the new year., but the covers and blurb need to be done sooner than later so that I have some ideas ready to work on when the story is under the tender care of my proofreader.

The components for the cover for the first book in the series were relatively easy. Find a suitable image of a dragon of the correct color and a jewel worthy of being called a dragon tearstone.  

In his true form, Trelleir is rust-colored. When you peer into his dark red eyes, the irises can appear to have flames in them. He wears his dark hair with red highlights, short. Trelleir is slender and tall for a human. But still manages to present the image of a bookworm, someone who is not a threat. He is so striking he is pictured on the cover of Fire and Amulet.

But what about Fire and Redemption? Although Trelleir appears in the sequel, his role is more secondary. So, having him on the cover would not really work. And it might make the two covers too similar and confusing to the reader.

After I type "The End," I need to do more hunting through a graphics database to find images suitable for the fantasy.  Among the items I'll be looking for are an iridescent blue-green dragon and a gypsy wagon.

Note, no dragons were harmed in the
taking of this image. And yes, it is a dragon.
Just not a winged one.

Oh, another possibility for the cover design, but more difficult to find that is free of copyright restrictions is the setting I'm currently living in with Brial and Karst, and Deneas and Trelleir -- the tombs and temples carved out of rock at the world archaeological site, Petra.

To purchase the Fire and Amulet: BWL

 ~Until next month, stay safe and read.   Helen

Helen Henderson lives in western Tennessee with her husband. While she doesn’t have any pets in residence at the moment, she often visits a husky who have adopted her as one the pack. Find out more about her and her novels on her BWL author page.