I got a professional book cover done!

You may (or may not) have noticed I’ve been a bit quieter than usual. One of the main reasons for my odd silence is that I’m (actually) writing – yes, me, the eternal procrastinator!

So over the last few months, I’ve been working on finishing up a new adult psychological thriller that I began back in 2016. After many silly ‘working titles’, I am relieved to announce I have finally settled on the following: When She Goes.

And not only that, I was able to afford a professional eBook cover from the talented designers over at The Cover Collection!

Here’s the final version:

When She Goes ebook complete.jpg

If you’re interested in what my book is about, here’s a rough draft of my blurb:

Be careful what you die for…

After her father’s death and her mother’s subsequent illness, Maisy Watson is taken in by the wealthy Yates family and is treated as one of their own. For a few years, Maisy really does have the perfect life, but no matter how much she dreams of belonging to the Yates family, she will only ever be an outsider.

Tiggy Yates has it all. The loving parents, the trust fund and the looks – not to mention she’s dating the hottest bachelor in town, Lawson Ross, the one guy that Maisy is also in love with. Despite all she has, Tiggy has never appreciated the privileged life she was born into, a life Maisy will do anything to take as her own… unless that life is already hers.

I am hoping to get my novel professionally edited in June/July, followed closely by the creation of the paperback cover. I’m also hoping for a release date sometime in July/August!

And yes, I am totally organising a book launch party! #ThereWillBeLotsOfChampagne #ThreeDayHangover

I also promise to keep you updated on my progress, so do stay tuned for the following blog posts: “What Not to Do When You Self-Publish” and “How to Cope When You Don’t Sell Any Books” etc…

Love ya!

103 responses to “I got a professional book cover done!”

  1. Amy Z Avatar

    I love the cover!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Karen Avatar

    Congratulations! I’m working on a novel about Provence I may self-publish as well. Keep us posted!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Arnold The Cat Avatar
  4. Reet Singh Avatar

    The cover is smashing, Milly – congratulations! And the blurb is most intriguing…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you!! 🙂 🙂

      Like

  5. coherentwithcoffee Avatar

    Now THAT is an amazing accomplishment!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar
  6. riglerwrites Avatar

    Congrats on the book cover and looking forward to reading your upcoming blogs. I have had a few books self published, in fact I just got back from con I had newest book at. I ‘m certainly want to get another 1 out and am looking into doing guests blogs and other forms of social media. Thinking of trying patreon – have u considered it?

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Patchwork Vibes Avatar

    Congratulations! Following your journey now! Thanks for the follow! Please never hesitate to tell me what you think of my work ☺️✨

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you! And oh my goodness I love your blog!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Patchwork Vibes Avatar

        Thank you so much, that means a lot! I love yours as well!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. llzranch Avatar

    I have a new book of poetry that will be published in 2019. I used one of my photographs for the cover. If I’m lucky enough to have another manuscript accepted somewhere, I’m going to explore the possibility of a professional cover. Your cover looks great.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. rmcalzada Avatar

    You had me at adult psychological thriller! I got a bit lost in your blurb, but I’ll reread it to try and figure out the central conflict and who I want to root for. Congrats on your cover design 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  10. rickysings28 Avatar

    Hey Milly,
    I must say that’s a really evocative cover. Wish you best of luck for your book launch.

    Liked by 2 people

  11. James R. Avatar
    James R.

    That cover looks awesome!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks!! I really love what they did

      Like

  12. Chelsea Bland Avatar

    I’m so impressed!

    Liked by 2 people

  13. crucialnotes Avatar

    Wow!! It’s fascinating me😊 good work Milly✌.here reminder is must when your book published..I’m eagerly looking for🙌

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Aww thank you so much, you’ve made my day 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. crucialnotes Avatar

        You too by giving this inspiration😁👍❤

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Just a Girl and Her Cat Avatar

    This is exciting news! I’m also in the works on getting my book published! I and working on a fantasy fiction trilogy with a co-author/my best friend. I will definitely be looking out for your book launch!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks! Oh and right back at you, that’s really exciting! I’m writing a fantasy trilogy too, I’d love to compare notes!!

      Liked by 1 person

  15. Viola Bleu Avatar
    Viola Bleu

    This is so exciting and inspiring – well done for finding the willpower to sit quietly and let you fingers finally do the work your brain wanted to get down. The cover is absolutely stunning; eye catching with a perfect title x

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you so much Viola 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Brenda Gates Avatar

    Love the book cover and the first line totally hooked me!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      It did? OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH. Honestly, you’ve made my day! 🙂

      Like

  17. dibenami Avatar

    So cool, congrats! If I saw this on a shelf I would 100% pick it up. Can’t wait till I can!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      I think I would consider it a job well done if I can sell even just the one copy – so I suppose that someone is you! I totally just won at life hahahah. But no really, even selling one copy to someone who is not family would make my year lol

      Liked by 1 person

      1. dibenami Avatar

        I’ll be on the lookout for the ‘I published it!’ post from you

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

          Haha oh God I can’t even imagine that!!

          Like

  18. smallgirlbigthoughts09 Avatar
    smallgirlbigthoughts09

    Omg! This is crazy amazing, congrats! You inspire me to get a move on with my novel! Haha

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks 🙂 I think we must be all inspiring each other – wouldn’t have gotten this far without you all!!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. theperseveringwriter Avatar

    Congrats! Is this the first novel you will be publishing?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks! And yep sure is 🙂 🙂

      Like

      1. theperseveringwriter Avatar

        Congrats! Can’t wait to read it!

        Like

  20. Bryan Fagan Avatar

    I was given some great advice to have a professional design the book cover. When you think about it, it makes sense. The writing could be top notch but we need something that captures the eye. Excellent design. Happy to see you went in that direction.

    When it comes to an editor, my editor was top notch. If you’re looking for one drop me a line and I’ll give you details.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      All my author friends have given me the same advice: as a bare minimum, get a professional edit and book cover done. At first I was a bit resistant, but they’ve convinced me! Oh and yes I’d love to know who you are editor is! I do have one in mind that was recommended to me by someone who publishes a lot of books (also on Joanna Penns editor list) – but I’m still shopping! I think I’ve been quoted around 500 AUD to get copy and line editing done for 60k words (my novels aren’t that long).

      Like

  21. mariemclean Avatar

    Stunning cover! Congratulations!!! 😊🥂📚

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks Marie!!! I wish some of you Aussies lived closer so we could actually meet! One thing I’m really missing out on having is a real-life writing critique group! Oh well

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Rica Grayson Avatar

    yay congrats! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

  23. Spinster D Avatar

    This looks great! Looking forward to seeing the book!

    Liked by 2 people

  24. storywriter22 Avatar

    How exciting! Please keep us posted. I actually self-published a book on Amazon a while back. Afterward I started finding errors even though I proofed it very carefully! I got discouraged, but still believe in the book. Maybe I’ll give it another shot. 😊. Best of wishes to you! 😃👍

    Liked by 3 people

  25. Casey Elizabeth Dennis Avatar

    I absolutely love that cover!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Oh yay!! I’m so glad you liked it!

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Susie Murphy Writes Avatar

    It looks great, congratulations! Looking forward to hearing how it all goes!

    Liked by 2 people

  27. oflettersandlibraries Avatar
    oflettersandlibraries

    Ooh, congratulations! I’ll see if I can get a copy!

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Laura Beth Avatar

    Congratulations! I’m very intrigued by your blurb – Looking forward to reading it!

    Liked by 2 people

  29. freds64 Avatar

    Nice cover.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you 🙂 They did such a great job

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Mia Avatar

    Congratulations! That’s exciting! And I think the cover is great and the story sounds interesting, too—well done!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Yay! Thanks Mia!!

      Liked by 1 person

  31. JM Williams Avatar

    I think it turned out great. I love how the eye color matches the title text. Good luck with the release! 😀

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      I’m so glad you picked that up!! Thanks 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Hannah Avatar
    Hannah

    Yay, that’s exciting!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks Hannah!!

      Like

  33. Debbie Johansson Avatar
    Debbie Johansson

    Congratulations Milly, the cover looks great! Your book sounds intriguing and am looking forward to seeing the finished product. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks Debbie! I was so nervous to share the cover and blurb, but I’m so glad I did!

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Sean D. Layton Avatar
    Sean D. Layton

    Big step toward reaching your goal. Awesome!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thanks Sean! Yes, I’m getting a bit closer!

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Jane Schmidt Avatar
    Jane Schmidt

    LOVE the cover Milly – so proud of you and all the time and effort you put into your writing. Grandad and Great Grandpa Cahill would have been so excited and over the moon too 😀😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Awww thanks mum. Love you xx

      Like

  36. mylilplace Avatar

    Congratulations!!! So excited and happy for you!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Milly Schmidt Avatar

      Thank you!! 🙂 🙂

      Like

  37. Jenna Diane Avatar

    Exciting to follow your journey to publishing/releasing this! Also, I love the names. Can’t wait to read!

    Jenna |jenna-diane.com|

    Liked by 1 person

  38. floatinggold Avatar

    Psychological thrillers have got to be my favorite.

    Like

  39. Deborah Makarios Avatar

    Congratulations! A professional cover is always a good idea.
    I must admit I could do with a post on “How to Cope When You Don’t Sell [M]Any Books” – but I hope you won’t be able to write it from personal experience!

    Liked by 2 people

  40. Mark Caudill Avatar

    That is an awesome cover, can wait to hear more and party.

    Liked by 1 person

  41. theresajcbs1999 Avatar

    Great cover and the story sounds intriguing. You have a nice captured audience to start out with and that’s a huge bonus! Best of luck.

    Liked by 1 person

  42. andrewhowardwrites Avatar

    Looks and sounds great! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Kate @ everywhere and nowhere Avatar

    Looks brilliant, congratulations 😊

    Liked by 1 person

  44.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    Those colors are fantastic! It really sets a mood – and I love it.

    Like

  45. bookbeachbunny Avatar

    Looks great! I can’t wait to read it 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  46. M.L. Davis Avatar

    That cover is gorgeous and I am so intrigued by your story!

    Liked by 1 person

  47. UndercoverJW Avatar

    I’m intrigued! I want to read it.

    Liked by 2 people

  48. Robert Varga Avatar
    Robert Varga

    Wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

  49. dourdan Avatar


    I drew my book cover for a more rustic look. 😛

    congrats on your bookbaby! when looking for an editor try to find someone who offers a cheaper “first read”, (where he/she will give a synopsis of what could be improved) just to see if he/she shares your same vision.

    Liked by 2 people

  50. Cameron Graham Avatar

    Awesome, and I’m glad that you were being quiet on account of writing rather than there being a problem. I was getting a little worried that I’d not seen much from you recently. But that’s all OK now because you were actually creating magic for the rest of us!
    The book blurb looks very intriguing too!

    Liked by 1 person

  51. Margaret Desmond Avatar

    Very cool! Keep up the great work. Just one thing struck me reading your blurb. I immediately thought of the romance writer Maisey Yates and was distracted by that.

    Liked by 1 person

  52. Sophie Li Avatar

    Hello Milly!
    Wow that looks like an AWESOME cover. Your blurb sounds so interesting and it is definitely a novel that I would want to read! Congrats on your progress so far! Keep us updated 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  53. Atina Atwood Avatar

    The book cover looks amazing. Congratulations to you! Thanks for sharing your arduous journey with all of us. I’m sure that you’ll be pleased with the results!

    Liked by 1 person

  54. Karina Bartow Avatar

    Very intriguing!

    Liked by 1 person

  55. Anne Clare Avatar

    Your cover looks fantastic!!! The synopsis sounds great too- Congratulations!

    Liked by 1 person

  56. crazykatlady Avatar

    This looks amazing and is such a HUGE accomplishment!! I am very proud of you and wish you all of the best success. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  57. Books,BooksAndMoreBooks Avatar

    Congratulations! The cover is great. So is the synopsis. Can’t wait to see the book.

    Liked by 3 people

  58. Chomeuse with a Chou Avatar

    Congratulations!! That’s so exciting! I really enjoyed your blurb 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  59. Jack "Blimprider" Tyler Avatar
    Jack “Blimprider” Tyler

    Congratulations on your choice to approach this whole process like a professional. So very many indies insist on publishing their unedited first drafts, and on first thought, you may be inclined to think, “Well, there are a few million books that will be no competition for mine,” but they hurt us all. Every time a reader gets hold of one of those trash can weights, they’re inclined to think, “I’ll never waste 99c on a damned indie again!” If you’re still screening editors, may I suggest putting the name Lynda Dietz in the hat. Quality work at a price that won’t break the bank: http://easyreaderediting.com/

    Liked by 2 people

  60. piercewrite Avatar

    That cover looks awesome. Congratulations.

    Liked by 2 people

  61. Laura Laakso Avatar

    Congrats! The cover looks great!

    Liked by 2 people

  62. Linda Mims Avatar

    Congratulations, Milly. Many happy sales!

    Liked by 2 people

  63. BMstories Avatar

    Congrats 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  64. Chris Hall Avatar

    Well done, Milly, looking good!

    Liked by 2 people

  65. colinandray Avatar

    The professional cover was a good idea because if the cover does not say “Pick me up and at least read the sleeve notes” … then you will be missing sales opportunities. Professional cover designers know what works, and what doesn’t.
    A professional edit is a good idea because friends and family are never the best editors, even though their intentions are good. Self editing (for errors/omissions etc) is highly inefficient because, as the writer, you know what you wrote and your mind will substitute correct words and insert omissions without you consciously knowing. A workaround is to read aloud to yourself as that will pickup obvious errors/omissions … but you cannot beat a professional edit.
    All the best with your book. 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  66. H.R.R. Gorman Avatar

    Yay! Excited for the finished product!

    Liked by 2 people

  67. bookwormmuse Avatar

    Omg!!! That’s awesome!!! I am so happy for you!

    Liked by 3 people

  68. Emily Avatar
    Emily

    Congratulations! It sounds great!

    Liked by 3 people

  69. Rulonda JaBrey Avatar

    Wow, that’s so exciting!!! I’m so happy for and proud of you! Your book intrigues. Will you be selling it as both an eBook and paperback, or just paperback?

    Liked by 3 people

  70. The Militant Negro Avatar
    The Militant Negro

    Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.

    Like

  71. absnuttall Avatar
    absnuttall

    WOOOOO!!!!! Congratulations babe!

    Liked by 3 people

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I’m Milly

Welcome to my blog, my little corner of the internet dedicated to all things writing. Here, I invite you to join me on my (very, very long) journey to becoming a self-published author.

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