Dear Zora Cover Reveal for Beta Readers and Supporters
Hello Dear Zora Supporters,
The day is finally here to show you the official Dear Zora Cover and I hope you love it as much as I do. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for believing in me and wanting to learn more about Zora Neale Hurston. This work that I do is for her, as much as it is for me. Your support means more than you will ever know. Be prepared as I will be saying thank you a ton and trying to find adequate words, although I know there are none. This is truly a dream!
Now, before you see the cover, I wanted to give you a quick note about me and want to let you know what to expect from me as a Dear Zora supporter, beta reader, and/or launch team member. On this page, you will find the details about support roles for the project and be able to give me feedback directly. Of course, I know we are all busy with the bustling holiday, so I will send reminders via email from time to time. Enjoy this short video.
About the Cover
I commissioned this piece from an amazingly talented Uruguayan artist named Mariana Miralles. Mariana changed my entire vision for the cover when I saw her work. Aside from her incredible talent, I was most drawn to Mariana for her willingness and desire to learn more about Zora. She so candidly spoke of the need to diversify her own knowledge of American culture beyond the white American lens that is prevalent in Uruguay. In each detail of the hand crafted painting, I hope that you see her commitment to bringing Zora to life in a very special way. And perhaps, it will bring a tear or two to your eyes as it did mine.
As for the cover design itself, I wanted Zora to be the star of the show. I hope to have this book displayed in homes, cultural institutions, academic settings, etc around the world for the art itself. I am confident that Ms. Zora would be incredibly pleased with that notion, not for arrogance but for her to truly receive her flowers. She deserves them and this book is an effort to re-humanize Zora so that she may finally get the unconditional love that is long overdue.
After you see the covers, I would love to have your feedback on what you thought of the cover and maybe even what you think Zora might think of it. Just pop it in the form below and I will receive it.
***Please do remember to keep the cover to yourself, as the reveal for the general public will be happening in a week or two.***
Share your thoughts on the Dear Zora cover below.
How can I support going forward?
Dear Zora will launch at the end of January 2022. Please read the support roles below to confirm how you would like to help make Dear Zora a success. Remember, every little bit helps. I will send the sharable cover image and synopsis to you all on December 16th, regardless of support role. Beta Reader digital copies will be sent out via email before December 27th.
Be a Beta Reader
Dear Zora beta readers are an integral part of the success of the book. They receive early digital copies of the book and provide feedback and review. Check out the requirements below to see if you would like to be a beta reader.
What Beta Readers do:
Read at least 50% of the book
Submit feedback
Provide a review
Post cover to social media stories and feed and or do video feedback near launch day (optional but greatly appreciated)
Join the Launch Team
The Dear Zora Launch Team will help build buzz to build awareness of the book. Their support will be a big part of how people find the book and increase their willingness to read it. This is a chance to get creative and showcase the book in fun and innovative ways.
What the Launch Team does:
Begin posting the cover image to social media after Wednesday 12/15
Share cover image and synopsis on personal platforms, groups, etc to build awareness of book
Ramp up postings and promotion the week of book release
Buy the Book
Buying and reading the book when it comes out is undoubtedly the goal every writer has. It will be a huge honor to have you read my work. Thank you in advance for doing so.
What do support members get?
Support members will have chances to win Dear Zora swag, limited edition copies of Dear Zora, and more. Just be sure to tag @raechesny on IG and Rae Chesny on FB with your posts. For non-social posts, just screenshot them and send them to raechesny@gmail.com.
Please, confirm Support Role in form below.
Thank you again for your support! More news to come.
Rae