Final cover, with art direction and typography design by John Candell:

Process: Thumbnails

The process for designing this cover began with creating a series of thumbnails, each depicting different symbols or moments in the narrative. Thumbnail 1 was selected and further developed.

Process: Pencil Drawing

Following thumbnail selection and revisions, I began the process of creating the final illustration using hand-drawn pencil work.

Process: Adding color + detail

Although this cover was originally conceptualized with both foreground characters in silhouette, the creative team suggested adding a secondary lighting source to the final cover. I think that this could not have been a better choice as prospective readers now are able to view additional detail in the character’s faces and clothing, gleaning more insight into their unique personalities.

If Tomorrow Doesn’t come

Illustration created for the cover of If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come, a 2023 Young Adult novel written by author Jen St. Jude and published by Bloomsbury.

Avery Byrne has secrets. She's queer; she's in love with her best friend, Cass; and she's suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression. But on the morning Avery plans to jump into the river near her college campus, the world discovers there are only nine days left to live: an asteroid is headed for Earth, and no one can stop it.