The book is about fifteen-year-old Kendra Marshall. It hurts too much to remember the abuse she suffered, and who did it to her, but the memories claw at her mind. Kendra cuts to stop those memories—but someone is following her, threatening to kill her if she talks. With the help of the girl she loves, Kendra must face her darkest secrets to find safety, and, ultimately, her own strength.
Rainfield has drawn on her own personal experience of self-harm (and sexual abuse/trauma/dissociation) to offer an insider perspective in Scars. "It’s a book I care deeply about," she says. "It's so important to me to help break the silence, and offer some hope."
I asked her what she thought of her own cover, and how it came to be. Here's Rainfield:
"I think I had an usual experience in working with WestSide and my publisher, Evelyn Fazio, for the cover of Scars. Evelyn was talking to me about wanting to find the right photo for the cover. I suggested that when I got my author photo shoot done, the photographer could also take photos of my arm, and maybe one of them would work. She agreed to look at them; I'm so grateful she was open to that.
"My photographer, Emma Lee from Stripped Media, took a bunch of shots of my arm, and some of them were stunning. My very favorite is the one you see on the cover. So I was ecstatic when Evelyn ended up liking and using that photo. It's my arm on the cover! I keep saying that to people in amazement and shock (laughing). I know I was incredibly lucky.
"Because Scars is such an important book to me, personally, I really wanted the cover to work, and to reflect the content and feel of the novel. I also wanted it to help break the silence about self-harm, just as the novel was doing. And I wanted the cover to feel real and to be tasteful, not sensationalist. Those were things I was really hoping for, but I didn't know if I'd get them. Publishing companies make their own decisions about what will work for the book and what won't. I was thrilled when I saw the cover. WestSide did an amazing job; I think the finished cover does all of the things I was hoping for, and grabs the reader visually. I am so incredibly happy with what WestSide did with the cover—I think it makes the book even more powerful."
"My publisher also field-tested the cover photo with YA librarians and teachers. We didn't want to trigger anyone, so the publisher was careful to keep the color somewhat subdued to help avoid that, while still retaining the image’s power. I think that it's perfect the way they've developed it, with just the right touch. I think it will help people find Scars who need to find it."
"The art department ran with the theme, putting what looks like cuts or slices through the title, and scratches in the background. I love what they did with it. The completed cover is more powerful and beautiful than I'd dreamed it could be. I am delighted with it—and so proud of it. WestSide has been a dream to work with—and the cover makes me even more proud of and delighted with the book. I feel so happy showing it to people!"
I think it's incredible that Cheryl's own arm is on the cover, and I do appreciate the care and thought that went into this arresting image.
What do you guys think of this cover—Shocking? Disturbing? Effective? All of the above?
Melissa Walker is the author of four Young Adult novels, including the Violet trilogy andLovestruck Summer. She is co-creator of the popular teen newsletter I Heart Daily, and her author blog, where Cover Stories originated, is melissacwalker.com.
Right, Melissa, the healing process...I thought about this, before I first posted. I certainly don't discount that process, at all. I understand it perfectly...it just seemed a bit overboard with all of her exclamations in your article.
I guess I would never expect this healing to say it so loudly, on the front cover of a novel...I think you see what I mean. It's not a non fiction self help book, although, I'm sure it will help people, and I'm sure she is proud of her accomplishments; writing this story, and healing herself in that process. I do see how excited and proud she is about all of this.... I give her a big hug, and wish her nothing but the best! 
Kathy
