The Contest Is Now Closed. Thank You For Your Entries.
Kentuckiana Authors Book Cover Contest
This Year's Title:
Megan's Menagerie
A book cover is an invitation for readers to visit a new world. Create your best cover design and win prizes!
About the Contest
A book cover is an invitation for readers to visit a new world. In the realm of publishing, a compelling cover can mean the difference between a book that is passed over and one that quickly becomes a bestseller. With this in mind, we are thrilled to announce the first ever Kentuckiana Authors' Book Cover Contest.
The Kentuckiana Authors' Book Cover Contest is open to all middle and high school students in the Kentuckiana Area. If you can write and design, then this contest could win you and your school some money!
Contest Category
The Complete Cover
Design everything from the cover picture to the spine, to the blurb on the back of the book.
The title must be Megan's Menagerie; the genre is up to you. It can be a children's book with many animals, a mystery finding the last piece in Megan's collection, or maybe a sci-fi novel with Megan's Menagerie being out of this world.
Whichever you choose, make it your own.
For the back blurb write a 150–250-word description that will entice the reader to buy the book. The back blurb is for promotion and not a complete summary. Do not give away the ending, make us want to read this novel.
Prizes and Recognition
Grand Prize Winner
Grand Prize Winner will receive $1000
The school library from the winning student will also receive $500
Runners Up
There will be two runners up, one High School and one Middle School. Each will receive $500.
The school library from the winning students will also receive $200
Honorable Mentions
There will be six honorable mentions, three from High School and three from Middle School. Each will receive $50 and $25 for their school library
Bonus Award – The Public Penny Vote
- •There will also be a Public Penny Vote – must be present to win.
- •All winners, runners up, and honorable mentions will be voted on by the public
- •Each finalist will have their work displayed at the Writer's Block at The Dogwood Festival, Shelbyville, Kentucky
- •Each piece of art will have a jar for penny voting/donations. The jar with the most pennies (measured by weight) will win the Public Penny Vote.
- •The winning jar will receive $250 cash and a $50 gift card for the festival.
- •The Public Penny Winner's school will receive $100.
- •All jar voting/donations pennies will go to the prospective school's libraries.
So come in and vote for your school. Remember it goes by weight; one hundred pennies weigh more than a dollar bill!
In the event that there are less than 50 entries all entry fees will be refunded and the main contest is void, however the the public penny vote will continue on April 18th.
The Judging Process
Kentuckiana Authors' panel of judges, comprising of publishing professionals, acclaimed illustrators, and award-winning authors, will evaluate submissions based on the following criteria:
For the Cover artwork
- •Creativity and originality: Does the cover design stand out? Does it tell a story in itself?
- •Technical execution: Quality of illustration, typography, color, and overall composition.
- •Emotional impact: Does the cover evoke curiosity and interest in potential readers?
- •Marketability: Would the cover attract attention in a bookstore or online setting?
For the Back Blurb
- •Creativity and originality: Does the blurb convey a complete novel without giving away too much?
- •Technical execution: Are basic rules of writing and grammar followed? Is the intended audience obvious? Is the word count correct?
- •Emotional impact: Does this synopsis make the reader want to dive in? Is the blurb smooth and easy to read?
- •Marketability: Will these few paragraphs make a reader quickly buy?
For the Complete Cover
- •Does the artwork and blurb convey a complete picture?
- •Does the artwork style match the blurb and genre? Does it look like they belong in the same story?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I submit a cover for a book I wrote myself?
No, sorry. All previous publications will not be accepted.
Can I use photography or mixed media in my design?
Yes, all visual art forms are accepted as long as the work is original. No AI will be accepted.
Will my work remain my intellectual property?
Yes. Participants retain all rights to their work. But by entering, you grant the contest organizers non-exclusive rights to display and promote your design in connection with the contest and future contests.
Can I update my submission before the deadline?
You may submit updated versions until the entry deadline of March 9th, 2026 11:59pm. After that, entries are considered final.
Tips for a Winning Book Cover
- •Sketch multiple concepts—sometimes the best ideas come during the rough draft phase.
- •Experiment with colors, fonts, and composition to find what best conveys the story's mood.
- •For the back blurb, read it out loud. If it takes longer than two minutes to read, you might want to edit it down.
- •Seek feedback from fellow designers, authors, or your school's librarian before finalizing your entry.
- •Remember: simplicity can be powerful. Don't overcrowd the design or blurb.
- •Important! Keep pictures or screenshots of your progress in case the use of AI (artificial intelligence) or plagiarism comes into question.
Submit Your Entry
Step 1: Your Information
Pen names ensure fairness in judging. Your real name will only appear on this form.
By signing up to participate, you agree to rules stated.
Step 2: Contest Fine Print *
Step 3: Payment ($10 Entry Fee)
Click below to complete your $10 payment. After payment, you'll be redirected back to upload your cover design.
Mail-In Entries
For mail-in entries, please print out form and send to:
Kentuckiana Authors Book Cover Contest
3400 Burks Branch Rd. Suite C
Shelbyville, KY 40065
All mail-in entries must be postmarked by February 9th, 2026.
Questions?
Contact us at:
lucydaleo@msn.com
All entries will be reviewed under pen names. Only finalists will be contacted.