Book Cover Junkie Interviews YA Fantasy Author B.B. Swann

BB Swann is a twenty-seven-year retired elementary teacher who writes books for children and young adults. Her issue-driven stories focus on characters who face difficulties most readers can relate to, and how they succeed through perseverance, ingenuity, and hope. She is also a literary agent at FinePrint Literary Management in New York representing a diverse group of authors that write picture books through adult manuscripts mostly in the genres of sci-fi, fantasy, or speculative fiction. You can visit her at Facebook, Instagram and TicToc.

Interview:

Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?

Wooded Discovery is a young adult urban fantasy. I like to describe it as a mash up of Supernatural (#teamcrowley), Scooby Doo, and Harry Potter, if Harry hated magic. There’s lots of teen angst, discovering themselves, and mystery to be solved. And of course, a dash of romance!

Really, my son was a big inspiration for this story. He and I were huge Harry Potter fans. But in general, we shared a love for fantasy stories that had magic. That’s partly why I wrote this one. The main character Zaidyn is based off him, to a point. Zaidyn is just so loveable, bit of a mama’s boy, likes to read—all traits my son shares. Zaidyn’s best friend Iggy was tons of fun to write! He’s that snarky BFF who isn’t afraid to poke fun at his friend, but just a quickly will have that friend’s back in a crisis and do what it takes to help. Book 2 is his story and I kind of tortured him a bit, but he’s tough and can take it. Ky started out quiet and moody, but in his book (#3) he really blossomed into something I didn’t expect! These three POV characters each came to life during the course of the series and have stuck with me for long after. I hope readers feel the same and hopefully they see a bit of themselves in the characters, too. 

Piper, Gabby, and Melody, the girls in the story, don’t get to share their POV, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take charge. I’m a bit of a feminist (okay, a HUGE feminist) so my girls will always be strong, even if they don’t believe they are. And these girls are absolutely the strength behind their friends. 

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later?

Originally, this book was titled Out of the Woods. I attended an online workshop where Bryan Cohen was the speaker and had the opportunity to have an evaluation done of my marketing/sales page by his company Best Page Forward. His team suggested I change the cover and title to better fit the genre. The original cover looked a lot different. I don’t think it was bad, but the new cover and title absolutely is better. The colors are striking and jump out at the reader from the thumbnail. That’s an important thing to have when you’re trying to stand out on a screen. 

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? 

Changing from the old to new cover, I asked them to focus on the woods as the biggest part of the image. But their designers came up with the rest of the design. I don’t even think I had them change anything! I just fell in love with the look and ran with it. I’m glad I did, too. I get a lot of compliments on the covers for the whole series. At the time, I was preparing to publish book two and hadn’t even started book three, but I went ahead and had the team complete the other two covers as well. When you write a series, it’s important to have a cohesive look for the books. I’m really happy with the way these all have similar structure, but the colors and little details embody the uniqueness of each story.

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?

The team at Best Page Forward worked on the covers. I don’t have a specific name, but I do recommend them as a great place to consider. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover?

When I go to book signings or events, the cover for Wooded Discovery always gets the first glance. I’ve heard so many different people say, “I love this cover!” so I know readers like it. 

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?

I would first go with a recommendation from someone you know or trust. If that isn’t an option, then I suggest looking at references/reviews. Reedsy is a good place to start.  If you see a cover you like, try to learn the designer’s name. This will be easier if it’s an indie author because they will be able to share the name. Traditionally published books will be more difficult to figure out. But you can collect images of covers that might have a feature or style that you envision for your cover. Be sure to get a cover designer who knows what your genre needs because a romance cover will look a whole lot different than a mystery.

Anything else you’d like to say about your book?

Just that I hope people seek it out and give it and me a try! And if they do, please consider leaving a review. It’s the best way to help an author get more visibility, and to help other readers decide if the book is for them. 

Book Cover Junkie Interviews Christian Memoirist Delia E. Hayward

 

Delia Hayward is a proud mother of three wonderful sons, a beautiful granddaughter and a precious grandson. God put it on her heart to write From Turmoil to Peace so that people could benefit from her life experiences. She has been blessed and hopes her book blesses others. You can follow her at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/delia.hayward.14. 

Interview:

Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it? 

Imagine growing up in a world where emotional and physical abuse were a constant presence, leaving deep scars and a shattered sense of self worth. This is the reality I faced, and yet, I emerged stronger and more resilient than ever. Despite the challenges in my marriage, and as a single mother raising three sons, God touched my life and helped me in such a profound way that I was able to raise my boys with positive self-esteem and a strong sense of faith. My story is a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome even the darkest of circumstances with God’s

never-failing mercy, grace, and love. This book is not just my personal story, but a message of hope and redemption for all those who have suffered from emotional and physical abuse. The book’s primary goal is to show that anyone can have a personal relationship with God and find solace in their faith. I encourage readers to seek God and find comfort in His presence, and to live by His word. By doing so, they can find peace, healing, and a 

sense of purpose.I also acknowledge the importance of seeking help and support, particularly for those affected by alcoholism or abuse. I encourage readers to reach out to self-help programs and support groups, where they can find a community of people who understand their struggles and who can offer guidance and support.The stories I share in this book are real and personal, drawn from my own experiences. While the names of my family members and friends have been changed to protect the privacy of those involved, the emotions, struggles, and triumphs are all too real. My willingness to share my story is a testament to the courage and resilience I received through a relationship with God, and a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles. 

While living in Georgia, I worked full-time for an attorney and devoted my Sundays to serving on the worship team at my church. Each day, I found myself growing spiritually through reading God's Word and spending time in prayer. During that season, God placed a calling on my heart to write a book, and I chose to walk in obedience to His guidance.

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later? 

The title came to me before I even began writing. At the time, my life was in complete turmoil—chaotic, uncertain, and heavy with pain. But everything changed when I opened my heart to God. That moment of surrender brought a deep sense of peace, and the title naturally reflected that transformation. It felt like the name of the book was given to me as a gift, even before the first word was written. 

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? 

Honestly, I had no clear vision for the cover at first. What mattered most to me was how I wanted people to feel when they saw it—hopeful, calm, and uplifted. I shared that with the designer, along with my love for soft pastel colors. She took that emotional direction and created something beautiful. The moment I saw it, I knew it was perfect. It captured the spirit of the book in a way I couldn’t have imagined. 

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her? 

My cover was designed by a talented woman named Taylor. I was introduced to her through my editor, Wendy Garfinkle, who recommended her specifically for this project. Wendy knew exactly the kind of creative touch my book needed, and Taylor delivered beautifully. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover? 

Everyone I’ve spoken to has absolutely loved the cover—just as much as I do. It seems to resonate with readers on an emotional level, which is exactly what I hoped for. Their positive reactions have been incredibly affirming.

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer? 

I’d definitely recommend Taylor, since she’s the only designer I’ve worked with—and she did an amazing job. But beyond that, I’d suggest finding someone who truly listens to your vision and understands the emotional tone of your book. A great designer doesn’t just create something visually appealing—they capture the heart of your story. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your book? 

Readers will find hope in these pages. From Turmoil to Peace is more than just my personal journey—it's a testament to the power of faith, healing, and transformation. For anyone feeling lost, overwhelmed, or stuck in a season of struggle, this book offers a reminder that peace is possible. By sharing my story, I hope to encourage others to open their hearts, lean into grace, and discover the strength that comes from letting go and trusting God.

Book Cover Junkie Interviews Memoirist Mary Lawlor

Mary Lawlor is author of Fighter Pilot’s Daughter (Rowman & Littlefield 2013, paper 2015), Public Native America (Rutgers Univ. Press 2006), and Recalling the Wild (Rutgers Univ. Press, 2000). Her short stories and essays have appeared in Big Bridge and Politics/Letters. She studied the American University in Paris and earned a Ph.D. from New York University. She divides her time between an old farmhouse in Easton, Pennsylvania, and a cabin in the mountains of southern Spain.

You can visit her website at https://www.marylawlor.net/ or connect with her on Twitter or Facebook.

Interview:

Tell us about your book! What inspired you to write it?

All my life I’ve wanted to put together the list of places where my family lived and link each one to the issues in the headlines of the time, particularly regarding what the US government was up to in its military movements. We were a Marine Corps, then Army family, and we moved every two years. I went to 14 different schools by the time I was ready for college, and it all felt like a confusing, exciting, bewildering experience. Where are from, people would ask, and I would have to say too much to answer. But where

are your roots, they’d ask, and I was never sure how to answer the question until I was old enough to understand that they were in suburban New Jersey and more distantly, in Ireland. 

By the time I was teaching courses at Muhlenberg College on literature and film of the Cold War, I was thinking seriously of compiling this list and the events of the times into a narrative. My students had so many questions about those times, and though we didn’t talk about my own life in the classroom, they got me thinking about what my family went through and what effects all that moving had on me. I finally sat down and started a draft; and a few years later, there it was, a full manuscript of Fighter Pilot’s Daughter.  

How did you choose the title for your book? Did it come to you right away, before you started writing it, or did it come later? 

The title came later, after I’d written the entire first draft. I had planned on calling it “The Pilot’s House,” but my editor at Rowman & Littlefield (now part of Bloomsbury Press), suggested it was too obscure and novelistic-sounding for a memoir. He convinced me to give the book a title that spoke more directly to what it was about. A friend helped me come up with Fighter Pilot’s Daughter, and I used “The Pilot’s House” as the name of the first chapter. 

Tell us about the cover design process. Did you have a basic idea of what your book cover would be like? 

Yes, I thought it would feature a photo of my father climbing into one of his planes or of my parents out together dancing at the Officer’s Club. The graphic designers at the press had the Daughter part of my title in mind and came up with a couple of ideas for me to choose from, both of which included images of my sisters and me. I chose the one with the clouds and the plane and the snapshot of my sisters and me in our fathers helmets at Halloween. I thought it was more appealing than what I’d had in mind and spoke to the larger story of the book quite effectively. 

Who is your cover designer and how did you find him/her?

Rowman & Littlefield had some people on staff in their graphics department who came up with the sketches for the cover. I don’t have their names, but they’re likely working for Bloomsbury Press now, since it has taken over Rowman & Littlefield. 

What has been the readers’ response to your cover?

They’ve loved it! Many people have written to ask which one is me (I’m the one on the far right, with the cape) and expressed their delight with the playfulness of the cover, especially given the seriousness of the family dramas addressed in the book and of the effects of US foreign policy on the moods of our domestic scene. 

What tips would you give to authors who are looking for a cover designer?

I would say listen respectfully to suggestions by the professionals working for your publisher or to independent visual PR specialists. I’d also say you should trust your own ideas but make sure to vet them with others. 

Anything else you’d like to say about your book?

I’d like to say I’m very grateful for all the wonderful responses and feedback I’ve gotten from so many readers of my generation who resonated with the story and saw themselves and their lives reflected in it. I learned a great deal about myself, my parents and sisters, and my relationships with them as I was writing the book. It was a process of self-analysis, in a sense, and became quite an emotional experience. I feel passionately about my feeling regarding the sixties and the Cold War as expressed in the book and still enjoy reading it.

Fighter Pilot’s Daughter is available at Amazon.