YA fantasy assassin book cover contest

Assassin's Lack

James Hockley

I am UK based, living in Bristol, and currently trapped in my home (much like the rest of the world!) I write YA fantasy books on and off, and given the current climate, I'm trying to be a bit more on! This is a book I've had on the back-burner a little while, and I think it's time to dust it off.

Ali is an assassin by day (and by night), but that's really just to bide the time. What he really wants is to avenge his mother's death and topple the Empire. Just when he gets around to it. Oh, and he faints at the sight of blood. Strange trait in an assassin. But when his profession finally catches up with him, he finds himself working for the very people he's vowed to overthrow. It appears that there is more to his lineage than even he dare imagine.

Readers of YA fantasy, which would include myself (I am 38). Focus on YA but with some cross-over appeal.

My brand colours are red and aqua over greyscale (some of my other book covers are attached as files). Would like focus on a character who is a fantasy assassin sort - cloaked etc. Needs to be obviously human rather than demon-like (as some of my others are) but full face not required. Some reference to a falling Empire might be fun, but other valid background options are: - Mountains / volcanoes; - Desert city of some sort; - Grand imperial city; - Anything else that looks really great! This novella has serious undertones, but the main character is quite cheeky, so something a bit fun might work quite well. Title needs to be quite elaborate (as I think is the way for YA) but subtitle can be understated. Author name, probably at bottom or top, along lines of other works (see attached files).

Anything too dark fantasy - this is a very human tale. More than one character on the cover. Anything "off-colour" scheme - I'm trying to build a bit of brand around the colours, so this is a no-no.