Roller Boy Cover Reveal
Marcia Strykowski
♦ March 22, 2018
♦ 88 Comments
I am so excited to share the cover illustration for my upcoming novel geared toward readers aged 9 to 14. Roller Boy will be released by Fitzroy Books in late September. After working on the inside text for so many months (years!) I have to admit I was nervous about how the cover would turn out. Months ago I’d discussed possible ideas with my publisher—things I liked and things I didn’t like about covers. One idea in particular had caught my fancy, a wraparound city scene. But then I didn’t hear anything more, and didn’t see sketches. What would they come up with for Roller Boy? I wondered.
Covers are so important and there are some that just don’t work, either because they are poorly executed and designed, goofy cartoons aimed at the wrong age group, or the main character looks totally unlike how he is described in the book, or…, well, you get my point, the possible problems are endless. Would this be my new cover?
Or how about this one? At least it shows a roller skate…
As you can see, there are all sorts of ghastly possibilities when it comes to covers. BUT, I’m happy to say…I LOVE the completed Roller Boy cover!
First, here’s the back cover blurb:
Mateo always assumed he’d make the baseball team with his buddy Jason, but when only Jason makes the team, his mood sinks low. So low, he knows he has to do something about it. But what? What can he be good at?
When Mateo wins free lessons, he discovers he’s pretty good at roller-skating. And it doesn’t hurt that the most beautiful girl he’s ever laid eyes on happens to be Roller City’s star skater. But still, roller-skating? No way can Jason find out Mateo is whirling around in girly skates–anybody halfway to cool would be hanging at a skate park, on boards or blades.
Other issues stacked against him are the strong reservations of his mother, who feels Mateo should be spending his time studying, not skating, and his inability to eat gluten—no more grabbing a pizza with the guys.
Despite these conflicts, Mateo keeps his sense of humor and channels his innermost strength into an incredible ride on roller skates that just might take him all the way to regionals.
Drumroll please…
Here it is!
And the beautiful full cover spread:
What do you think? I can’t stop looking at it and all I can say is thanks to Fitzroy Books for producing such a gorgeous cover!
The next step in this exciting process will be my publisher sending out Advance Reader’s Copies to various major review sites. Please cross your fingers that they’ll enjoy reading about Mateo and his wild ride on roller skates, and as always, thanks for your interest and support!
Edited to add in a clickable button for anyone who would like to purchase Roller Boy:
Thank you! 🙂
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Marcia Strykowski 
The cover did turn out well. You must be pleased. All the best with this one, Marcia.
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Thanks so much, Darlene!
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Oh, that’s stunning! Absolutely eye-catching. I don’t blame you for staring at it. 🙂
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Great to hear you like it too, Tracy. Thanks!
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Wow, Marcia. That is so awesome. The set up with the cartoon and the vase-of-roses-thing was a perfect lead up to the final design. It’s fantastic. Congrats!
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I’m so happy to hear another positive reaction to the cover, thanks!
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That cover rocks! All the best with Roller Boy!
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Thank you, Michelle!! 🙂
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I’m excited for you, and I’m thrilled you like the cover. Everything behind the cover has your personal stamp. The outward art should promote your writing clearly. This is marvelous!
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Thanks so much, Anne, I really appreciate your thoughts!
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That is a beautiful cover! Congrats!
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Thank you, Yvonne!
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That’s really impressive! So vibrant.
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I really like the color combination. Thanks!
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That is a super cover Marcia. I’m going to go show Ma now. That should attract some attention by book browsers.
Love, Dad
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I’m happy you like it, too. I’ve got a printed-out one to show you. 🙂
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Marcia, you Roll! I wish all the best with Roller Boy, my friend!! Yiasou from Greece!
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Thanks very much, Agatha!!
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I LOVE your new cover, Marcia. It’s really attention-getting and makes me want to read the book. I can’t wait till Sept.! Good luck, good luck–I hope this will be a HUGE success. The cover certainly is!
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Oh, thanks so much Louise. To hear others find it striking gives me great hope!
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So great. I love it Marcia!
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Whoops, the name field is missing, but thanks so much for your comment! 🙂
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I must agree! This is a great cover! It strokes one’s curiosity!
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Thank you very much, Quiet!
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You’re welcome! 😀
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Wow! That is absolutely stunning!!! The way the title curves and the position of the silhouetted boy show action. It should be appealing to boys and girls who like sports. (And on a personal note, I think the typeface and the buildings have an art deco look, which appeals to me!)
Congrats! You’ve got a winner of a cover!
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Thank you very much, Barbara! It does have a bit of an art deco look. The rounded type is kind of chunky, reminding me of roller skate wheels. 🙂
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Fantastic Marcia 🙂 Well done ! I think it is really great !!!
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Great to hear, Lynne. Thank you!
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That is a wonderful cover, Marcia, and sounds like a great story to encourage boys to be who they are.
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Thank you, Norah, and I really like your take on the blurb!
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Oh, Marcia! I love, LOVE the cover. It is perfect and stunning! Congratulations on the new book. 😀
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I’m so glad you like it, Jennie, 🙂 I do, too. Thanks!
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You are most welcome, Marcia! Are you at the conference for librarians in Philadelphia? Our Groton children’s librarian is there.
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No, I’m not. I’ve been to the New England (NELA) conferences a few times, but never to the PLA which I guess just means public library association. Interesting!
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I will have to learn about both and understand the differences. Thank you, Marcia.
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Me, too. There’s ALA for American Library Association, and then all sorts of branches off of that. And now I know there’s PLA, too, thanks to you.
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Good to know, Marcia. Thank you!
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Awesome cover Marcia. This book will jump off the shelves! Love the city skyline and the bright colors! I cannot wait to read it. I loved your other novels! I know this will be a great read for the young and the young at heart! Well done! 🙂
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Thanks so much, Bette! I like that image of it jumping off the shelves!
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I love the cover, Marcia. It really catches your eye. The story sounds fascinating.
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Thank you, Art! I appreciate your feedback!
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Wow, I love it, SO awesome!! Love the way you teased with the slow reveal, I couldn’t wait to see it!!
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Ha ha, glad the slow reveal worked. Thanks, Ashley!
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With your gorgeous writing between the covers, this will be a sure hit. Congratulations, Marcia!
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Much appreciated, Cyndy. Thanks so much!
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Great cover. I too like the city skyline and the boy rocketing into the air on his skates.
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Great to hear another vote of fondness for the design. Thanks, David!
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Great cover! Exciting year!!
Congrats, Marcia!
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Thank you, Michele! It’s been fun going through the publication process again. It went by quickly, and before long Roller Boy will be out and about. Hope all’s going well up north!
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It looks absolutely great! Che bello! Aloha!
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Wonderful, so glad you like it, Margo!
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That is a phenomenal cover! I think the science of finding the right cover and font both challenging and fascinating. I hope have good advice when it comes to printing my own efforts.
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It is quite a science. It’s clear when cover and font match beautifully, but sometimes takes a guessing game to get there. Thanks, Sharon, and good luck with your own project!
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Awesome! The cover is wonderful. I loved the build-up as I scrolled down the page to the drum roll and the actual cover. (And, I must admit that I truly enjoyed some of the other “options” that you showed. The one with the boot and the rose especially made me smile.)
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Thank you, Sheryl. 🙂 One vote for the boot, ha ha!
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Talk about a GREAT cover^!!!!
I enjoyed reading about your toying (or having daymares) with all the no-please-no possibilities, but you hit the jackpot with the real cover.
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Thanks, Mirka. Great to hear your feedback!
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This is so exciting Marcia! Congratulations again on the book, and I agree that it is a beautiful, vibrant, energizing cover! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am for you :). I look forward to reading it!
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I really appreciate your support, thank you! 🙂
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Intriguing jacket copy and energetic cover – congratulations! I’m anxiously awaiting a novel cover, for a project I’ve worked on for five years. Fingers crossed…
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Wow, five years. I hope you love your cover, too, Jan. Thank you!
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Whoo-hoo!!! I’m so excited for you, Marcia! Well done – getting those revisions completed and sending Roller Boy out so he can shine in the world. Brava! The cover is great, too. xo
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Yes, it’s quite a process, but Fitzroy has been quite fast and easy to work with. Thanks, Pierr!
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I love this cover, Marcia. I showed it to Michael and he likes it to (he is 12 years old). I look forward to reading this with Michael in due course.
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Oh, I love the idea of you and Michael reading Roller Boy together. Thanks so much!
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This couldn’t be more exciting Marcia!!! It really looks perfect– bold, modern, active!! Don’t you think it will really appeal to readers??! And I’m so happy for you that it’s on it’s way out– hoping and praying with you that the advance readers will absolutely love it! And so cool to see your face on the back of the cover!! I think you should put it in a frame and hang where you’ll see it everyday! Good job you!! so happy for you and all that’s ahead… xox
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Thanks so much, Rhonda! I appreciate your interest and enthusiasm. I just might follow your suggestion and put it in a frame. 🙂
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It really is an amazing cover Marcia– Can’t wait to read you book! xo
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Thanks! 🙂
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P.S. Marcia– when does it come to bookstores??
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The release date is September 28th, 2018. So, bookstores should have it by then. If your local ones don’t, managers are usually quite happy to fulfill requests. Thanks for asking!
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thanks! I’m putting it on my calendar so I don’t forget — don’t want to miss it! I’ll bet you’re so proud and happy to see it coming out! congratulations! xo
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Yes, I’m excited for it to be out in the world. People are already preordering with the link at the bottom of my post. And now you’ve reminded me to make sure I put it on my calendar, too! Thanks again!! xo
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What an eye-catching cover, Marcia! Congrats. It will certainly draw in young readers, as well as the title and subject…and most certainly the writing! (Sorry I’m late in commenting, I’ve been under the weather.)
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I’m so sorry you haven’t been feeling well, Lynn. Hope you’ll be much better real soon. And thanks for your kind comment.
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Marcia–I LOVE this cover!!! It is amazing and truly captures the story. How wonderful. Congratulations to you. Best of luck with the launch.
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Thanks so much, Sharon, great to hear you love the cover!
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Congratulations, Marcia! The cover is beautiful! Can’ t wait to read the book! I know it will be a top notch winner just like Call Me Amy and Amy’s Choice! (Sorry I’m a little late with this–my husband slipped and fell during some icy weather in January –haven’t been doing FB as much since he’s recuperating.)
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Oh, so sorry to hear about your husband’s fall, ouch! Hope he’s back into the swing of things, soon, and that you’ll both have a nice spring. Thanks for your kind words, Carolyn.
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Wow and wow. I love the cover. The story sounds wonderful too. I can imagine how excited you are feeling right about now. So sorry I have been not visiting. Life happens. Hope to get back much sooner. Hugs!
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Thanks so much, Debbie! No apologies needed. I, too, am feeling way behind on not only my own posts, but on visits to others. Like you say, life just gets too busy. 🙂
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Excellent cover! The art style and colors are eye catching, Sure to be a top ten seller. Good luck Marcia.>
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Thank you, Mike. I appreciate your feedback!
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I LOVE it Marcia! One of the nicest covers I’ve seen in a long time and the story sounds great.
I’m trying to catch up with all my favourite blogs after three months away.
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Hi Barbara, welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful time off making more memories with family and enjoying new adventures. Thanks for your feedback on the cover, I appreciate it. So great to hear from you!
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That is a fantastic cover, Marcia! Love the cityscape background. Enjoy the editing phase and watch your book skate swiftly along its publication journey.
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Thanks so much, Claudine! The editing phase went very smoothly and the Advanced Reader Copies are out with reviewers, crossing my fingers they’ll choose to review Roller Boy…. I love that ‘skate’ reference. Thanks again, good to ‘see’ you and I hope all is going well.
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