The University of Arizona Press
August 5, 2025
Today, University of Arizona Press Art Director, Leigh McDonald, shares a behind-the-scenes look at the process of designing a new cover for the paperback edition of Pat Mora’s Encantado, the poetic monologues of an imagined southwestern town.
First published in 2018, each poem forms a story that reveals the complex and emotional journeys we take through life. Mora meanders through the thoughts of Encantado’s residents—the mothers and sisters, brothers and fathers in whom we see slivers of ourselves and our loved ones—and paints a portrait of a community through its inhabitants’ own diverse voices. Even the river has a voice we understand. Inspired by both the real and imagined stories around her, Mora transports us to the heart of what it means to join in a chorus of voices. A community. A town. Encantado.
Can you tell us about the artwork you chose for the paperback edition of Encantado?
This cover was a particular challenge because Encantado is a fictional place, but one based firmly in the humanity, emotions, and landscape of real Southwestern towns. Most of the artwork I found that had the right feeling for the book also had something else about it that was too specific to fit—a recognizable real-world location, or a person or setting that was too at odds with the descriptions in the book. When I came across Ed Sandoval’s work, I knew I had finally struck gold. His warm, colorful paintings of quiet moments in a remembered New Mexico evoked the sense of place and the people of Encantado perfectly; through a different medium, they tell a similar story.
Are there certain themes, tones, or other connections to the poems that you see reflected in the new cover?
The river in Encantado is not just a beautiful piece of landscape, but actually a figure with its own voice and place in the journey—it was a key feature to include in the landscape of the cover image. We also knew from the beginning that we wanted artwork with people and buildings in it, because at its heart, that’s what the book is about: the human experience, in community.
Were there other directions or artworks you were considering?
The hardcover edition of Encantado was designed as a beautiful abstraction that would feel like a small, precious gift of a book. We knew for the paperback that we wanted to go in a new direction, one that reflected the content and tone of Pat’s work more directly, so I immediately began looking for representational art. Ed’s work was, however, the only existing artwork I found that I felt was right for this edition. It really stood out as a match head and shoulders above everything else I considered.
Are there any special considerations for redesigning covers? Were there author requests? Constraints?
Redesigning covers for a paperback is different from designing for frontlist titles because there is an existing cover you want the new book to be in conversation with, and yet also distinct from. It’s an opportunity to reimagine how the cover can reflect the work, but also an additional challenge. The time and resources for design are also typically more limited at this stage, but I really wanted to make sure that Pat felt the artwork I chose reflected Encantado as she had envisioned it. Fortunately, both she and her daughter were thrilled at the choice.
What is something you love about this cover?
One of my favorite unexpected moments in cover design is when I am able to link an artist and author who really appreciate and want to support each other’s work. Ed was absolutely fantastic to work with, and graciously offered to donate the use of the piece in support of a fellow New Mexican artist. Similarly, Pat and her daughter were delighted to learn about him and his beautiful work and so thankful to make the connection. There is something special about bringing wonderful, creative people together!
Pat Mora is an author, speaker, educator, and literacy advocate. She has written more than forty-five books for adults, teens, and children. The recipient of two honorary doctorates and a poetry fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, she lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
