The day is finally here! I recently hired an artist to create a cover for my debut fantasy novel and it is now complete and ready to be revealed to the world!

I was incredibly nervous going into this process, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. I scoured the web and considered close to a hundred artists for this, so when I finally settled on one, it was a big decision.

I wrote a detailed brief and included some other covers for reference, and pointed out the specific parts that I liked or didn’t like. The artist was amazing, super receptive and kind, and was so accommodating after I admitted that it was my first time doing anything like it.

As it was for a fantasy novel, I wanted something a little bit mystical and mysterious, while also showing that despite the magic, this would be a darker story. Set in a fictional country that is filled with rocky mountain ranges, thick forests and of course, dragons, I needed something that would reflect that.

Additionally, as dragons and epic fantasy is having a revival at the moment, I knew that my book would need something eye catching to hook readers in immediately. I wanted to stay away from cartoonish looking covers, but the graphics on this one set such an incredible contrast that I believe almost everyone, reader and non-reader alike, will have to stop for a second look.

It took the artist a little over a week to get the first draft to me, and I was so nervous when I got the message telling me to take a look.

My hands were shaking and I felt my heart racing as I opened up the attachment, and my jaw dropped.

The cover that they sent me was stunning, and looked far better than anything I could have imagined or dreamed of myself. I stared at it forever, absolutely overjoyed.

We made a few more adjustments and they were excellent, giving me a few options at times and giving other suggestions too.

When it was finally done I was ecstatic, and I’m even more grateful and excited to share it here today!

So, scroll on to see the beautiful cover of Tale of the Dragon Champion, the first book from the Tales of Beasts series!