Back in December of 2025, while trying to combat writer’s block, I made a set of covers for my Restless Hearts series. They were low-resolution, web-based pictures meant to establish a specific “feel” for the series on sites like FanFiction.net. I began by making a single template, and then I simply swapped out the book titles in order to create the covers.
They weren’t terrible covers by any means, but they suffered considerably from my lack of PhotoShop skills. What I had in mind wasn’t what came out in the graphic at all. Not being a graphic artist, I accepted the limitation and called it a day.
But recently, during another mild spate of writer’s block, I decided to try making them again. This time, however, I asked ChatGPT* for help and I got it — in spades! Check them out (click on each one to see a larger version):
Wow! Aren’t they just gorgeous?
This is what I’d had in mind this past winter when I made the first set of covers. Even better, I’ve kept all the template files and instructions, meaning I’ll be able to make matching covers for future releases.
I’ve already swapped the covers in for the versions released through Contentnea Creek Books, as well as the ones on the Legends Lost web site.
However, after giving the matter some thought, I’m going to leave the original covers intact on FFN. Those covers have a stronger emphasis on the stories as part of a series, which is useful when readers are sorting through lists of titles on that site. I also am using the original cover image on the series page at Legends Lost, so that it’s clear it’s the same series.
Of course, now I have to actually finish A New Horizon. But it’s coming along nicely, and seeing this new cover has given me a huge incentive to keep at it. Stay tuned for its release announcement!
* I dreamed up the concept, found the base images on Pixabay, and confirmed that this usage was within their licensing scope. I also selected the color scheme and even the typography. All ChatGPT did was put the elements together the way I instructed it to, and even that took a few rounds of refinement and tweaking.