This month, Michelle Argyle at Melissa Williams Design reimagines the cover of Monk on a River: Quest for the Blue Dorje by Edward Horner. To submit a book for a free cover redesign, email us at booklifeeditor@booklife.com.

Design Note 1: Sometimes you can work text over an image rather than trying to fit it around an image. I did this by choosing an image that was a bit darker so that the white would stand out. I also decreased the opacity on the title so a little bit of the image shows through.

Design Note 2: I love the colorful boats on the original, but choosing an image with a man instantly humanizes the cover.

Design Note 3: The warm tones in the image help create an inviting atmosphere.

Design Note 4: The warm tones in the image help create an inviting atmosphere.

Original Cover