Landing a project for Orson Scott Card, a giant in the science fiction realm, was a milestone moment for me. It was an indicator that I had become one of Tor's go-to cover designers.

But with great names come greater constraints. I had a vision—a design that was more than just a map juxtaposed with stars. I envisioned a narrative: a compass, historical dates tracing back to Columbus' era, with a twist. By 1492, an "error" stamp emerges, and the etched image of Columbus shifts, as if it’s breaking free from its static state. While I had to make compromises, that original concept above will always hold a special place in my heart.

Revised Description:

What we ended up with was a toned-down version of the original. While I'll always have a soft spot for the initial, more intricate design, I'm glad we managed to retain the type layout. A silver lining, if you will. And hey, it's still on sale with that cover on Amazon.