Create Cover for new book of true life stories by and for Moms - with potential for series.

just Ordinary Moms - True stories by Moms for Moms. Potential for series.

Readers group turned writers circle started sharing our stories about being Moms. Motherhood is wonderful but it's not always about joy & babies... there is the teen who does not come home, the boy who almost dies from bee stings, the 4 year old caught with her pants down, the sobbing call in the night from a drunk daughter in a strangers apartment, etc. There are also poignant and funny stories. And a baby or two!

Over time, we envision a series of these books - stories from Dads, siblings, Grandmothers, etc. So there is the possibility of a larger gig here.

Ultimately need entire book cover designed: cover, spine and back. However, until we get to the finalists, you may submit cover design only.

The cover should capitulate readers and compel someone to want to pick it up. Inviting and engaging, yet just a bit edgy, because motherhood is not always easy, and not all these stories are happy. But the cover should not scare, but intrigue, draw them in. Make them laugh is ok, too.

Since all Moms have unexpected struggles and experiences, the reader is sure to find something/someone in a story to relate to. We have discovered that, even though our experiences as being a Mom are unique, they are also universal. Something similar to what happened to one of us has happened to many. So the cover needs to appeal to that universality.

Here are some of the brainstorming cover ideas we have had, grouped into 4 categories:

1. The literal, multi-tasking concept: a kitchen/family room with Mom at a table or standing, reading THIS BOOK with eyes wide open in shock while stirring a pot of something cooking while kid is messing up the papers falling out of her briefcase while hint of teenager with spiked pink hair is entering door in back of view ----- all very busy and literal. Seems potentially too crowded?

2. The universal concept that we are alike but different:
- a series of figures doing "Mom" activities
- A series of paper dolls stretched across the page, alike but different.
- A "Mom" made up of parts of a bunch of different people (cubist style?)- different legs, arms, feet, whatever.
- The old-fashioned tabbed-style paper doll where you could interchange clothing, etc.
- Silhouettes of women connected with one "Mom item" on each standing out in color: for example, a necklace, a rolling pin, a briefcase, a martini glass, high heeled shoes.
- a clothesline with Moms or A Mom hanging on, and perhaps "Mom items" also attached or falling down...
- a glimpse into a "house" sideways like a dollhouse - with a view to what all the things the Mom is doing inside...

3. The "imagery" concept: (p.s. We think we like this best!)
A gorgeous cover that represents the idea of the book without literally depicting Moms. Two ideas are:
- a heart of other symbol attached to a clothesline, with the name of the book in the art (picture of idea attached.) We envision the clothesline extending across the entire book (spine and onto back) and ON THE BACK, attached to the clothes line would be some more literal Mom items - a bottle, briefcase, martini glass, soccer ball, etc.
- a charm style necklace (picture attached) with Mom-type charms attached. We love this one because the pearl represents the sexy, lovely image we all have for ourselves (before we became Moms, and secretly harbor still), and the other things could reflect the impact that being a Mom has had on our lives - both good and bad. The big charm could be the title or the True Stories By Moms for Moms line.

4. We are also totally open to your ideas and welcome them! We are not designers or artists, and these thoughts may seem amateurish. We look forward to your input!

NOTE: An interesting cover might convey that something is a bit "off" - showing not all is always lovely in Mom world. We're hoping our designer can come up with something.

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Look and feel:

Size of book will be 8 1/2 by 5 1/2 . Pages in the 250 range.

We want a very inviting, modern, "cool", compelling and professional look (perhaps just a tad edgy?) for the book design.

Simplicity could win the day over something too busy.

We like the modern color-blocking style, but don't get too cartoony. (Style pictures attached).

A photo instead of a drawing would be great. (a la the necklace in the attached picture.)
***If you use stock photography please provide source and price, if any, to be able to use for book cover!***

Colors are your choice. We were drawn to the blue of the necklace photo, and also the red heart in the clothesline picture (should be more red than that- true heart felt red). Richer rather than muted colors seem to draw more interest, but you may have different ideas and we welcome that.

Book Title is Just Ordinary Moms. Think about the "Ordinary" as perhaps inserted with a carrot, as if an afterthought. Interesting fun fonts seem appealing - you know better than us which ones attract!

Thank you so much,

The Moms