Cover Designs For Kumotawa Confluence, A Japanese Urban Fantasy Novel

Sword Princess battles evil forces in a magical modern Japan!

That would be a headline tag for my novel, but it stars an ensemble cast that is far more than an imperial princess. 

Now serializing on Royal Road. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108238/kumotawa-confluence

On the fog-shrouded slopes of Mount Kumotawa, a sacred shrine stands guard against an ancient evil. Five hundred years ago, Princess Chikako and her samurai defeated marauding oni here. Legends abound about yokai on this mountain to the present day, and the imperial family continues their vigil.

Yuriko, a former special forces operative turned convenience store manager, knows her job isn’t just about sales and inventory. She finds herself thrust into a world of supernatural intrigue when a mysterious cat leads her onto the slopes of Mount Kumotawa, rising behind the store. Teamed up with her fellow ex-special forces colleague Travis and the stalwart policeman Goro, the trio investigate mysterious incidents on the mountain for the Imperial Management Agency.

As the veil between worlds begins to fray, a malevolent god’s return looms, his sinister minions sowing chaos. At Odewara High School, a spirited band of teenagers—Chiyo, Ayako, Karen, and Sarah, members of the Gun Girls Auxiliary—rise to the challenge, guided by Yuriko's mentorship. But even their courage may not be enough.

Other allies, including the princess, arrive to help as the crisis develops. In a showdown against the forces of darkness, these heroes must stand together to prevent the cataclysmic convergence of worlds. With courage, sacrifice, and friendship, they embark on a journey that will test their limits and determine the fate of the world.

Now that you know the synopsis of the plot, here are three cover designs I worked on.

Cover #1 Traditional Motifs

This cover incorporated Edo period art from Hokusai, Red Fuji, and a composite of a samurai helmet with face mask. It had a bit of a spooky vibe, showing many Japanese influences.  I liked it, but felt it was too dark.  I played with some variations on colour and fonts, but ultimately wanted something that was more directly linked to the story.

First design

Cover #2 Mysterious Torii and Cat

This design popped with colour from the bright red torii gate shrouded in fog. It has a blend of impressionism and mystery to it.  I really like the layout and art.  It has Ghost, the cat, who is an important character in the story. Ghost can wander the fog without fear and traverse the Confluence between worlds.  This came very close to being the cover design, minus the extra text shown below.

Second design

Cover #3 Mysterious Torii, Yuriko, and Cat

This is the cover I finally settled on. I love the atmosphere shown with Yuriko, an ex-special forces soldier, and Ghost the cat wandering the forest trail on Mount Kumotawa during a foggy Confluence. The torii in the distance make the setting Japanese, and it has a nice foggy mysterious atmosphere.  I completely changed the fonts too, going with something that had a slightly oriental flair, but is still very much a Western font.  The curves blend it in nicely with the torii, and the choice of a deep orangish-crimson make the title pop too.

What do you think of the these cover designs?  Cover art is fun to think about and can really set the tone for your story!

Now serializing on Royal Road. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/108238/kumotawa-confluence