Voting for the People’s Choice Book Cover Contest is now closed

Thank you for helping us choose! We will announce the winners of the second annual People’s Choice Book Cover Contest at the 2026 on April 11 at the 2026 Conference of Writers and on BWC’s social media so watch those outlets.

In the meantime, here were the contenders, all of them published in 2025, and all either written by or covers designed by members of the Bluegrass Writers Coalition.

Entry #		What the author/designer says about the cover:	Book Title
1		The cover photo is the last ever taken of my father, just a week before he died as a passenger in an Air America plane reportedly shot down in Vietnam. Decades later, I discovered over 400 of his letters to my mother, exposing him as a whistleblower. His letters, one of which is superimposed over the photograph, inspired me to conduct research across two countries and confirm a government lie and a CIA coverup.	Because: A CIA Coverup and a Son’s Odyssey to Find the Father He Never Knew
2		I had a vision for this cover and worked closely with my designer to get it right. I wanted a park setting, because that’s where they met. I wanted to convey that it’s a sweet romance. I couldn’t stop picturing them walking hand in hand in the park. I loved the finished product.	Loving Lauren
3		The cover of What Farm Boots are For was designed to show the main character exploring in her new farm boots. The young girl on the cover is trying to step across a cow pile. That is, until she realizes that getting her boots extra dirty is exactly what farm boots are for. My illustrator, Hiruni Kariyawasam, and I collaborated to design the cover.	What Farm Boots are For
4		The design for the cover began to take shape when I decided on the title, which is also the title of one the stories in the collection. Being a writer of realistic fiction, I wanted the cover to realistically reflect a strong element of the story–that of a lonely old man in an urban setting. After reviewing dozens of photographs available online, I ended up going with a photo my stepson, Clay Gibson, had taken of some old writer wandering around Lexington. Myra Summers, of Word Management then worked with me on finalizing the cover.	The Blind Man and the Midget
5		The design reflects that the heroine rehabs houses (bloody fence), there’s a secret (her fingers) and a main character was a famous rock ‘n roll singer.	Rock Starr Baby Daddy
6		Design of the fence ties the story to the series. The old mansion reflects houses the heroine rehabs and that there’s a secret concerning the attic in this pre-Civil War mansion.	The Attic, A Flip or Flop Mystery
7		My cover design includes elements of the title and the main setting for my novel. It also include a work of art that is mentioned in the novel and conveys dramatic nature of the plot. I wanted the colors and design of the cover to draw attention of readers who enjoy the mystery genre. The Walters Art Museum in Baltimore makes images of their art available in the public domain. You can find more information about the museum and this particular painting in the back matter of the book.	Framed
8		My faith in Jesus carried me through the deepest valleys of overwhelm, stress, and generational anxiety. He is the Lion of Judah — strong, victorious, unshaken — the One Revelation calls worthy to open what no one else can. (Rev. 5:5) As I learned to love myself, love others, and trust God as my refuge, He rebuilt me from the inside out. This book belongs to Him — my King who sat with me for six months, whispering every word and shaping every page, including the cover.	Reflect Restore Revive – Overcoming Anxiety Through the Power of Faith
9		In designing any of my book covers, I prefer minimal design for maximum effect. Fewer colors of high contrast make covers stand out to me on shelves. But, to reflect the dark and magical setting of The Shadowbound Fates, I created a bold visual blurb using only a simple, free photo editing app.	The Shadowbound Fates
10		I worked with “Get Covers” to design the cover. My concept was to incorporate the purple Alzheimer’s color, puzzle pieces symbolizing the confusion and challenge of caregiving for those with memory issues and compassionate hands holding tight to each other.	Give Yourself Some Grace