Eerie Haunted House Cover

I’m commissioning a fully illustrated cover for my middle-grade novel, and the mood has to feel spooky. The focal point is a haunted house that gives off an eerie, foreboding vibe—think broken window, ghost peeking out, the kind of image that invites young readers in while sending a shiver down their spines.

I’m open to having just the house, or including the main character as well, maybe the silhouette of a pre-teen girl holding a baseball bat, or riding her bike past the house. I would also be interested in incorporating calla lilies around the house or title. The key is to keep the scare factor age-appropriate: suspenseful and mysterious rather than graphic horror.

Deliverables
• Print-ready and ebook-ready front cover in CMYK and RGB
• Layered source file (PSD, Procreate or similar) for future text and layout tweaks
• One revision round after the initial draft

Acceptance Criteria
• Haunted house is the clear focal element
• Overall palette and lighting read “eerie and foreboding” at first glance. Dark colors, such as purple, dark blue, or green.
• Final image stays suitable for readers aged 8-12

If you have sample work that shows your knack for spooky but age-friendly illustration, I’d love to see it. Looking forward to collaborating on a cover that makes kids flip the book over before they even start reading!