The PresleyLibrary Cover Art Contest invites any student with artistic ability to create an original cover concept for Book 1 of an upcoming ennealogy by J.J. Presley. This contest is designed to uplift emerging talent—regardless of major or formal training—while giving students the opportunity to contribute to a professional publication. Participants are encouraged to explore the character descriptions, worldbuilding pages, and visual references available throughout this website to help inspire their artwork. The winning artwork will be featured as the official cover of the novel, and the artist will receive a $400 prize and an honorable mention across the book, website, and social platforms.
Contest Rules
Please read the following rules carefully before submitting your artwork:
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Original Work Only — All submissions must be created entirely by the artist.
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Entry Per Artist — Multiple submissions are permitted but must be submitted separately.
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Digital or Traditional Art Accepted — Traditional art must be scanned or photographed clearly.
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No AI‑Generated Art — All artwork must be created by human hands.
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Follow the Prompt — Artwork must reflect the theme and tone described in the Art Prompt section.
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File Requirements — Submit your artwork as a PNG, JPG, or PDF.
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NDA Required — All participants must agree to the Non‑Disclosure Agreement before submitting.
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Deadline — All entries must be submitted by 04-24-2026.
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Rights — By entering, you agree that if your artwork wins, the author receives full rights to use, modify, and publish the piece as the official cover.
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Prize — The winning artist will receive a $400 cash prize, an honorable mention in the book and on the website, and their artwork will be used as the official cover.
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Reference Materials Encouraged — Artists may use any publicly available information on this website, including character descriptions, worldbuilding pages, and visual references, to inform and inspire their artwork.
Eligibility
This contest is open to:
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Students currently enrolled in high school, college, or university
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Students from any field of study who possess artistic ability
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Students who can submit original artwork in digital form
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Students willing to sign the NDA
No formal art education is required. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Art Prompt
Create a cover concept that captures the emotional and philosophical tone of Book 1. You may use any information on this website to guide your interpretation — including character descriptions, worldbuilding details, imagery of the Vivarium and symbolic sigils. Your artwork does not need to depict a literal scene; mood, symbolism, and atmosphere are equally encouraged. The goal is to evoke curiosity, introspection, and the story’s exploration of identity and consciousness.