Design an awesome cover for Science/sports-fiction novel 'Revealing the Revolution'

N.M Sotzek

Author of science-fiction, self-published author

***UPDATE***

Cover:I know that I mentioned that Rick is the team captain, but the book focuses mostly on Cam (with the golden retriever) so if the team is shown, he should be at the forefront somehow. Maria is the secondary character, at odds with Cam. She's the only one who knows he's in the illegal Underground, but they dated so she's torn. Ryan is constantly being called "the next Cam Tylar" and is struggling to get out of his shadow. Rick is still trying to find his place as captain. I'd still like to see the athletes on the front. The sport is completely outdoors. As an example, the challenges in this novel consist of: kayaking, rock climbing, hiking, swimming/scuba diving, repelling, and at one point Maria had to shimmy a wire spanning a gorge. I'd also like to see the AIMs somehow. They could be on the back cover instead. They look like regular animals, except they have a discrete light on the side of their neck. Competitors are only allowed to use animals native to their country, so I'd only like to see animals you'd find in Canada (but don't go with the stereotypical moose and beaver, please). Somehow I'd also like to see an element of mystery, or something darker than it seems which would represent the Underground and Cam's association with it. The only science I'd like is a discrete genome, as most of you have added.

Spine:I'd like the title first, and then my name. At the bottom I'd like my publishing logo horizontal (if it doesn't fit well, then you can make it vertical but not large).

Back cover:I'd be interested to see a genome here (again, discrete) turning into a binary code (if you're up to being really creative, you can translate this sentence into binary: McCarthy AIMs are dangerous). I'd like the tagline to be at the top of the back cover. You can try it on the front, but I'd like to see both versions. The barcode on the back will be automatically placed in the right hand bottom corner. The left of the barcode is 5cm from the spine, and 3cm from the bottom. Just above the left side of the barcode I would like: CAD $16.99. Just above the right side of the barcode: Science Fiction. To the left of the barcode will be my publishing logo, again, not large. The text to be on the back is still below.

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I am self-publishing the first in a science-fiction series. I am looking for a cover for both the print and e-book version of the novel.

Summary of the novel for your information:
'Revealing the Revolution' explores the different aspects of a new adventure sport: Scanning. It consists of physically demanding and dangerous obstacle challenges, and scanning genetic codes of animals to use in the challenges. Teams are comprised of four people, one of which is the captain. To complete challenges, each member is partnered with an AIM - an Artificial Intelligence Morpher.

Not fully robotic, AIMs consist of a gel-like biological substance which can take the form of any animal, powered by a highly advanced computer chip. A sub-culture known as the Underground quickly emerged, creating black market products, substances, and computer chips; items which are illegal in North America.

Canadian Scanning Tournament team Revolution is set to finally become the national champion, until they are forced to sign a rookie from the Junior Division…and he’s never used an AIM.

All four members of Revolution are determined to beat the odds, but one teammate has more than just the responsibility of winning, or training the rookie. He must keep a dangerous secret while protecting his team from others in the Underground. Slowly, he realizes that things are slipping out of his control as sabotage threatens his team’s chance at winning the tournament, his career in the CST he worked his entire life to build, and the revealing of the secret which could change Scanning and the multi-billion dollar company that created it, forever.

***What I would like to see:***
While the novel is categorized as science-fiction, there is a unique element of a futuristic sport which I would like to see reflected in the cover. The sport is completely outside with various activities: rock climbing, kayaking, running, spelunking, etc. So, think of it as sport-science-fiction. There's also an underlying threat throughout the novel of the 'Underground' which would be interesting to see subtly in the cover as well. Please note that the science aspect of the novel is a background theme.

Revolution consists of these 4 characters:
- Rick Warner
His father, the previous captain of the team, suffered a heart attack before the start of the season, and so took on the captain's position. 29 years old. Black hair, brown eyes. A strong face. Soon into the novel he begins to feel the pressure of being the captain, and keeping the peace. When not competing, keeps his AIM in the form of a Black Lab.
- Cam Tylar
The superstar of the team. He was the youngest person signed to a professional team in the CST. 23 years old. Brown eyes. Short blond hair which he keeps gelled up, a small piercing at the top of his right ear. Arrogant, but for good reason: he's one of the top athletes in the country. A bit above average looking, enough to be contracted for sponsorship photo shoots. He is the one in the Underground. When not competing, keeps his AIM in the form of a Golden Retriever.
- Maria Kier
The only female of the team, she's had to stand out above the testosterone. She was raised as an army brat, and nearly followed her father into the army until she was convinced to join a Junior team. She is known for taking extreme risks to complete challenges, but always gets the job done. 22 years old. She has dark brown hair, just past her shoulders, with deep purple highlights. Green eyes. Known for her severe looks and passionate hatred for the Underground. Also known (somewhat controversially) for her paired photo shoots with team-mate Cam. When not competing, keeps her AIM in the form of a tabby cat.
- Ryan Hampton
The rookie. 21 years old. He is your run-of-the-mill country boy, raised in a small town on a farm. Short, wavy light brown hair. Blue eyes. Growing up on a farm gave him a naturally muscular body, but not quite at the athletic level yet. When not competing, keeps his AIM in the form of a grey squirrel.

Not that each of the main character needs to be on the cover, but it's just to give an idea.

Tagline:On the verge of victory, one secret threatens to destroy everything they've ever worked for...

Here is the back cover content:
In the tenth year of the newest athletic craze, the Canadian Scanning Tournament, team Revolution is set to become the National Champion. As the team struggles to mend the divides quickly enveloping them, one team member has more than just the responsibility of winning. He must keep a dangerous secret while protecting his team from others in the Underground.

Things slowly slip out of control as sabotage threatens Revolution’s chance of winning the tournament, their career in the CST, and the revealing of a secret which will change Scanning and the multibillion-dollar company that created it. Forever.

Book dimensions:
spine: 0.79”
5.25” x 8” and 0.125” bleed
Max file size: 40mb
I will be publishing through Createspace, and they will be placing the barcode automatically in lower right hand corner of the back.

Book details:
Title: Revealing the Revolution
Author: N.M Sotzek
Price: CAD $16.99
Genre: Science Fiction

Please include the price and genre on the back cover.

I have attached my publishing logo to be included. There are two versions, one in black and one in white, to be used depending on the background of the cover. Use whichever looks best.