There’s nothing quite like seeing the artwork someone else has created to represent the words I’ve written! Wow! I am in awe!
Before I get to the big unveiling, I thought I’d share a wee bit about the design process. After HMH acquired Blind Spot, several people asked me what I wanted my cover to look like, and to be honest, I didn’t have an answer. I truly hadn’t envisioned one for it. Many authors I talked to thought that was strange — they had definite ideas for their books and some even expressed disappointment because a cover wasn’t anything like what they had pictured.
As my cover design process began, the only real input I gave besides the characters’ physical descriptions, what they would never wear, etc. was that if a design played on Roswell’s vision, it had to be correct — that I was adamant about. Macular degeneration means her central vision is blocked and I didn’t want that incorrectly represented in any way.
When I saw the preliminary art, I was blown away. I’d never seen such a beutiful cover! I know all new mamas say that, but seriously. It was perfect! That awesome feeling soon faded to dismay, however, when my editor told me they were unable to secure the artwork rights and would be returning to the drawing board.
I couldn’t imagine another cover after seeing that first one. I understood why my friends who’d had definite ideas for their covers had expressed disappointment – because it is really hard to imagine another cover once you’ve attached a specific image to your work.
In my case, I wasn’t disappointed for long. HMH reached an agreement with the artist, and after some slight changes, like adding a killer tagline . . .
I was in cover love 
Are you? Leave a comment, tell me what you think. Two lucky commenters will win a $20 Barnes & Noble gift card and one lucky commenter will receive a signed hardcover of Blind Spot after it’s release October 23!
Want extra chances to win? Share my cover on your blog, facebook, or twitter! Sign up for my newsletter and grab another chance! Giveaway ends Friday, January 27 at 11:00 PM EST. Having trouble leaving a comment? You can leave one through the contact form.
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The cover “look” is intriquing. So happy for you and for the upcoming release of this book.
Awesome cover…I’m so excited for you and all the hard work you’ve done!!
Ooh, creepy! Love it. Can’t wait to read this.
Thanks Kelsey
This is fantastic, Laura. I can’t wait to purchase a copy . . . for everyone in my family! Congrats again!
Thanks Alicia – I can’t wait for everyone in your family to read it
Laura,
the cover is fantastic! Love the colors and the tag line too. Can’t wait to read this book (again) =0)
Thanks Jennifer
can’t wait for you to read it too; it’s changed quite a bit!
congrats on the awesome cover! i love the it and it fits so perfectly with the story! can’t wait to read it…almost torture having to wait until october
also tweeted so more people could come see the awesomeness! https://twitter.com/#!/bamayankee/status/161134386413191169
and signed up for newsletter to find out tour stuff just in case you happen to come anywhere down south
Yay, Alicia, thanks for the tweet and cover love!
Congratulations, Laura, on completing the cover design process and for being pleased with it.
Perhaps, I’m somewhat “traditional,” but I found that the title “Blind Spot” in the pupil was difficult to see. Perhaps that’s the point? I’m not sure. The picture of the eye seems to be the focus, rather than the title. I, myself, would have preferred the title where the tag line is, with the tag line removed. And have the pupil and the colour of the eye highlighted in some way through colour to show this “blind spot.”
But, as cover designs go, it’s subjective. Congratulations on your book and your cover design. It always feels good to reach the end stretch of a personal project. Can’t wait to read it!
Zara
Email: zgarcia(dot)alvarez(at)gmail(dot)com
On Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
Thanks Zara! You’ll have to tell me if you think the cover fits after you read it
Wow, what a gorgeous cover! I can’t wait to read the book! Congrats!
Thank you Jennifer
I love the cover! its truly amazing!!! i even did a blog post and your book cover was in it – spirit-of-books.blogspot.com
I think this is one of my most anticipated books. love it.!!!
http://spirit-of-books.blogspot.com/2012/01/most-awesome-book-covers-for-2012.html
Thanks so much for putting my cover up on your blog! You posted a lot of my favorite covers too — there are some beautiful ones out there!
I’m so excited to read BLIND SPOT!!!
Laura, All I can say is. WOW!!!!!!!!!! Awesome cover. Congratulations.
Thanks for sharing the story behind your cover! It makes it even MORE appealing!
Love it – congrats!!
OMG!!! LOVE THIS LAURA! CONGRATS!
Love your cover. It’s perfect for your story. So glad you’re happy with it. I signed up for your newsletter.
Awesome cover. It So fits your story. Glad you like it so much. I signed up for the newsletter.
Looks fantastic. Really looking forward to reading it and spreading the word down here in Nashville. If you do a book tour to Nashville, we will be there.
Thanks Christy! I am starting to look at tour cities so I’ll let you know
Perfection! The cover definitely matches the description of the book. I’m glad you got the cover you wanted
Laura! It’s beautiful. I can’t wait to buy my copy and send it off to get it signed.
Oh, maybe I’ll even bring it up as a possible book club read.
I’d LOVE it if you added it as a book club read! Maybe I’ll swing through Boston for a signing sometime
Ooh, lovely cover!! I love all of the smudged eye makeup and the way the font glows. Definitely very eye-catching
Thanks Ashley! I love that smudged-eye look too!
That is really cool … I had to click to blow it up big to see what was reflected in the eye! Can’t wait to hold it in my hands!
Oh, yeah, they nailed it!
Thanks Anne!
I love it!! Congrats!
Thank you
I’m kinda in love with the cover! Can’t wait until it’s officially out!
Me too! Thanks for checking it out!
I very much like this cover!!! I shared it on my facebook page for YA books, Peace, Love, Teen Fiction. :]
I look forward to reading it!
Thanks for sharing it Grace!
Oh my gosh! Love it!!! It is a perfect fit! OOhhhh! I see “Movie” written all over this!!
So proud of you! Congrats!
Laura, this turned out fantastic. The eye makeup, the tilt of the gaze, the lettering of the title… it’s all so well done. Am so excited for you and the book release this fall!
It looks great!! Congratulations!
Wow, that looks great! Can’t wait until I get to see what it looks like in person!
I can’t wait either! Maybe I’ll do a booksigning near you!
Looks great! Can’t wait to read it.
I have been waiting for a very long time for news on your book! The cover looks super fantastic. It’s amazing!! I absolutely cannot wait for your book to come out!
Good luck on the rest of the process.
Thanks Jenny! Hope you’ll be in town for the release!
That cover is gorgeous!! I can’t wait to read it, I just joined your mailing list
Thank you so much!
Oh wow, SO gorgeous! Congratulations! I RTed your tweet to spread the word– @karamtaylor1
Yay Laura! It’s wonderful – very excited for you!
As I just said on twitter, its eerie and beautiful and different. I am in LOVE with it!!! Congrats!
I LOVE the tagline on the cover! and I love the words on her eye!
I tweeted about the cover reveal
https://twitter.com/#!/thebookcellarx/status/160384715986182145
Oh wow! I’m in love with the cover for Blind Spot! October 2012…that’s just too far away. Anyone care to let me borrow their time machine?
-★Wendy★
A Cupcake and a Latte: Young Adult Reviews!
Thank you Wendy! Love your blog BTW!
Oh that is such a gorgeous cover! I’ve been eagerly waiting for the cover to be revealed and this just blew me away! How is that for a tagline? I love it! It’s got a haunting feel in it… I think the eye is mesmerizing.
I shared this on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/amaterasureads/status/160382491365085185
Wow, what an amazing cover!! Congratulations!! And a fascinating story behind it too; thanks for sharing a bit of the history. No need to enter me in the contest; just wanted to rave about it here!