Become Our Book Cover Artist!

Aurora Book Featuring Over 100 Photographers

Welcome to the Cover Art Contest for the Shape of the Sky Project to publish Michigan Aurora photography! 

Please complete the form and enter your payment confirmation number to be considered. 

Entries Due: August 31, 2026

Entry Fee: $15

SUBMIT ENTRY FORM: https://forms.gle/42vodt2b4F3fZoyM9

Once completed, please send your photo to: AuroraPhotoEntry@gmail.com

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Cover Art Competition requires one photo entry per person: Which photo would you like to see published on the cover of a book? Considerations include the book title placed upon the image. Images with an interesting foreground or reflection may be more eye-catching for a book cover. Dimensions are 11×8.5 inches, 300dpi, CMYK color format. 

The entry fee supports the huge undertaking and volunteer work of the author to create this book, as well as contributing to the monetary award for the cover artist.

More Details: KaelinArt.com/

Benefits for Cover Artists

Become a recognized published Aurora Photographer, as the cover artist of the Shape of the Sky Book Project! Benefits may include:

• $600 cash prize for the front cover
• $200 cash prize for the back cover
• Your biography inside the book
• Only cover artists will have TWO photos published in the collection, Every other submission is Limit 1.
• Press, media and interviews, plus opportunities to attend book signings, speak about your photography, or be featured
• Features in Author & Editor Melissa F. Kaelin’s blogs, channels and websites
• If the book is a major success, the author will extend more opportunities to you
• National exposure as the cover artist in one of the largest single collections of modern Aurora photographs in history!
• See your cover art in international dark sky parks, gift shops and book stores
• Indie book sales, if desired

FAQ:

1. If my photo is selected, will I still get a photo published inside the book?
   Yes! Cover Artists will be the only photographers with TWO photos published!
2. I already submitted for the book itself. Can I enter?
   Yes! Please do.
3. Does the cover photo have to be taken in Michigan?
   Yes, for this project. If this project is a success, the author may consider publishing a broader photography book.
4. Is the form and the emailed photo all you need?
   No, anyone who would like to be published and win the cash prize will need to sign a publishing contract.
5. Will there be more opportunities to make money, profit or otherwise benefit from my publication on the cover?
   Possibly! You’ll be invited to book launches, events and book signings, and other opportunities to showcase the hardcover book. The author will also share information with the winning cover artists on how to obtain and sell copies of the book to your own fans with your own markup costs.
6. Why are you charging an entry fee?
   This project will presenting winning cover artists with a cash prize. It is also a time-consuming volunteer effort to create the book, and there are publication fees that need to be paid to the indie publishing company up front. Your entry fee is a small contribution to a large investment the author is making in the book.