Dear Writing Diary Entry #26

Cover Reveal for my debut fantasy novel THE FATED!

In this entry, I reveal the cover of my upcoming debut fantasy novel to be released February 24, 2025! Here it is:

Dear Writing Diary,

This week I’m at long last revealing the cover of my debut fantasy novel to the world! Like the cover for my recently published short story, I designed this one as well, and I look forward to discussing that process in more depth in a future Dear Writing Diary entry. For now though, I just wanted to share a first look at the cover (above) along with the back cover below.

As far as the formatting goes, I made sure to include the elevator pitch at the top of the back cover in black font while the full blurb was pasted below. However, it wasn’t until I was doing some marketing planning that I additionally came up with the following taglines:

Tag lines are often one or a few sentences that entice a reader into reading the story. While elevator pitches are succinct but gripping descriptions of the plot and stakes, the taglines are memorable phrases that encapsulate the story’s tone. If I had developed these taglines sooner, I might have tried to fit them into either the front or back cover somehow. But perhaps it’s best that I didn’t. After all, I wouldn’t want either space to seem too crowded with words. Still, these taglines will be useful in future marketing materials. If I ever publish a special anniversary edition of THE FATED, these taglines might replace the blurb on the back (a move I’ve seen from a lot of anniversary editions of books recently).

I also set the release date of my novel this week. THE FATED will be officially launched on Monday, February 24, 2025! Between now and then, I will be working on making it available through multiple e-retailers, so stay tuned to hear more in the coming weeks. A paperback version will also be available on Amazon, and perhaps even bookstores later this year depending on how sales go.

While I’m thrilled to be sharing my cover, the highlight of this week by far was holding a physical proof copy of my book for the first time! I dreamed of such a moment for so long (17 years), I thought it would never become a reality. My debut novel may take place on a mysterious and mystical ship, but it’s also about the hopes and desires of the people onboard. Hopes and desires, after all, carry every bit as much power over our lives as any magic.

Again, THE FATED sets sail on Monday, February 24th. So whoever’s reading this, mark your calendars and bring your boarding tickets.

I will be waiting for you on the docks.

This photo is proof that when dreams refuse to come true, sometimes you have to build them into existence yourself.

Here's to watching The Fated set sail soon.
-K

P.S. Whoever’s reading this, if you’ve enjoyed these glimpses into my writing life, could you please hit the subscribe button? I would love to share more of my writing journey with you in the future. :)