Woman Historical Fiction Book Cover Design (Evoking history, grey, and curious)

Visuals: The cover features a woman in 1860's attire standing to the side. She sorrowfully gazes at her grand Victorian house, which is in the mid-ground. Behind her, Sherman’s army is marching off into the distance, slightly faded to denote the historical and suspenseful elements. The entire cover uses various shades of grey, with subtle pops of lighter whites and blacks to highlight details and create contrast.

Typography: The title "What Mary Knew" is in an ornate, serif font, evoking the historical era. The author’s name, “CJ Lester,” appears in a smaller, simpler sans-serif font at the bottom to maintain focus on the title.

Layout: The title is placed at the top center, making it the focal point. The woman is positioned towards the left of the cover, looking inward, while her Victorian house is centered behind her. The army is in the background, creating depth and drawing the viewer’s eye across the whole scene. The author's name is positioned at the bottom.

Explanation: The visual composition with its grey tones creates an atmospheric and historical mood, perfect for a historical fiction book. The sorrowful woman looking at her house adds a personal and suspenseful element, drawing curiosity about her story. Sherman’s army in the background subtly indicates the historical period without overpowering the main subjects. The typography choice complements the genre, with the ornate serif font evoking the past and the simple sans-serif providing a modern touch for the author's name. Matte paper stock enhances the visual elements, enabling the subtle contrasts of the grey tones to stand out effectively. The combination of these elements captures the essence of the book, making it visually appealing and evocative.