We’re delighted to share the evocative cover for The Hyena, a surrealist alternate history novel by Emmy Award winner David Quantick (writer on VEEP, also author of Imagine a Friend)! Releasing November 10, 2026, this cover is by Ernie Chiara (Omniboz: Tales from the Land of Oz), artist, writer, and literary agent.

About The Hyena

The Hyena is the story of Deborah Parkinson, the greatest artist you never heard of. Artist, lover, mother, friend—but never muse—Deborah is a woman whose story spans cities and continents, legends and geniuses.

From Paris to New York and from Kahlo to Dali,  this is the story of a woman who didn’t fit in… and liked it that way.

About Cover Artist Ernie Chiara

Ernie Chiara is a writer and literary agent, representing award-winning, bestselling, and critically acclaimed authors at Fuse Literary for the past five years. He’s been featured in Writer’s Digest’s Annual Agent Roundup and is a faculty member of Writer’s Digest University’s online courses.

Here is Ernie’s approach to The Hyena cover art:

“For David’s cover, I really wanted to lean into the duality of the main character, and I felt the use of hidden images in the negative space could provide a subtle glimpse into the protagonist’s psyche—from the silhouette that blends into the hand and brush which acts as a window to the inset image, to the reflection below her feet. I aimed to create something that felt both atmospheric and striking to really catch the reader’s eye, especially with that color palette and the way the typography interacts with the central imagery. It was a lot of fun to put together, and I hope it resonates with readers!”

Learn more about Ernie Chiara on his website.

Preorder Now

Preorders for The Hyena are just now rolling out. More links are forthcoming for ebook and print formats, or you can preorder from your favorite bookseller. Find more about the book, including some purchasing links, here: