Above is the final on this one and below are two also-rans. This cover problem would definitely fall into the category of “How do you show it without showing it?”

This is a mystery novel set in New York City in 1968. From the book description: “Good Girl, Bad Girl provides a rare, fascinating snapshot of late 1960s New York City - a glimpse into the forbidden sex, politics, art, drugs, and counterculture violence that ran rampant in its once gloriously gritty streets.” Below are some of the preliminary sketches I did.

The tab on this cover will be embossed.

From the vault.

For this poetry book cover the poet suggested playing with chiaroscuro - light coming out of the dark.