I added updated comments to the brief. This is my first time running a contest and as I see designs coming in I see where I could have helped out with more information. Everyone's work is awesome! I honestly don't know how I'm going to choose. Thank you all so very much. I'm a stay at home/home-school mom that dreamed this series up and your ideas are so inspiring. Love them! Thanks again. P.S. Feel free to share and like my author page on Facebook [Non image link removed]

Hello everyone - just wanted to give everyone a basic idea of how things are going. I have excellent designs to choose from and I thank all of you for the hard work. A few of you have gone above and beyond and again thanks, it is appreciated. The contest is ending soon but I officially have until October 3 to still get modifications from those that have entered before selecting (no new designers can submit). I was not planning on waiting that long but I have been in communication with a few designers that want to do changes that are going to take some time to resubmit to me. I will keep you in the loop but at this point I can easily see revisions coming into me through the weekend maybe early part of next week. You need to communicate what time frame you need if you are resubmitting. Some designs were full scale works of art and others offered a very streamlined style of design that was still very appealing. I find it hard to compare the two types because each have their own merits and there are a lot of novels on the shelves these days like Twilight and Fifty shades of Grey that offer that. It appeals to me just as much as those that are more intricate. So if I don't choose yours it is not based on if you sent me a simpler layout. I am choosing the one that makes me smile, want to grab it off the shelf and carry it around, and the one that best gives the reader a feel for what is inside. If any of you need more details I am always a message away and am on CST in the USA. Thanks again for all the designs. You are all amazing! S. R. Thompson

Okay my overview screen said the contest ended but I was told by design crowd that those that have already submitted can still get their revisions to me. If there is any glitch in this please let me know. Those that are resubmitting when you can please confirm the time you need. Thanks again.

Andres did you receive the messages?

Hi, Susan apologies for the delay in replay. Thank you for your feedback, finally I was able to read all your messages. Sounds great the new information you added about the history of the book.

Unfortunately here in my country (chile, South America) on Wednesday there was an earthquake very strong, 8.4 on the Richter scale (this is unfortunately common in this place, the good news is due to this people are prepared and the buildings are generally well built). Because of this Internet has not worked very well and my work to been slow, however I already am returning to normal. And by the way, at this moment that I'm writing you is shaking again.

I just send you the new changes of the cover according to the comments that you sent me, I hope you like it. I hope that they are all the changes that you asked for, if something is missing please let me know.
I have no problem in making other changes and improve this design, just let me know. And of course if you choose my design, I will be happy to design the covers for your next books.

I think it's OK that you tell me about the budget.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,

Andres.

Hello everyone,

Update: my overview screen's internal clock changed. It says I have 2 days to choose. That is not what DC's emails said to me which was -Oct. 2. As we all know, I am waiting for two design revisions and those designers had jobs and asked me to wait. I have asked DC if that clock runs out, will I still get those revisions. I have also asked that these day counters actually be changed to time counters, because I don't know what time this is going to take place. Again I have sent an email to clarify to DC if I will receive what you are working on if that clock ticks over. To be on the safe side and I know it might not be completed work -- include a note with plan, I advise that you send me a preliminary concept so I have something. Thanks, Susan.

No worries. Their font is in white on white background and all I could see was 2 days but I tilted the screen and now I can view it says 12. Sorry for the worries we should be fine now.

Hi everyone just waiting on one more design. As soon as it comes in I will be ready to let everyone know. You have all done an amazing job! Even if I don't select yours please save your file for the future (at least a year). It is possible with some modification that it will fit another cover in the series. I've saved a picture for reference so I will know which design fits better for the next book. I have already started TDR: Banished and Chasing Fire, with an approximate 3 months per book, give or take. Feel free to include your email if you would like me to contact you that way. I am very happy that I have 5 designers now that I can reach out to for future covers. Thanks for making this such an enjoyable process.

Susan Thompson
Crown Point, IN
dressagesrt@me.com