Q.(Infamous Scribbler) On your site, you write that you got into designing for the indie author community during 2011 National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Tell us a little more about your “origin story.”
A. (Marcy Rachel) In 2006, I was inspired by the creativity I witnessed every day. I was following a TV Show very closely and saw other fans writing fanfiction and creating graphics inspired by the show. I felt as if I had to follow the path of graphic design. After countless hours of research and study, I finally developed the skill and confidence to share my designs with the world. This world just happened to be the indie community.
Years later, after continuing to perfect my design skills, I finally embarked on a new exciting journey: Book cover design. In 2011 for NaNoWriMo, I did not finish the novel that I attempted to write. Instead, I became inspired by the amazing community of authors that I was surrounded by. Their stories, their words, their creativity stirred the designer in me.
I felt the need to create cover designs for their books. I had a new mission: to inspire them to finish. It was after this chance encounter, that the designer in me finally felt at home and at ease. The brilliant authors and readers in the indie community provided so much praise and support for my work, that I knew that this was where I needed to broaden my skills and offer talented authors a cover that was worthy of their remarkable stories.
Q. What are one or two of the most challenging projects you’ve worked on, and why?
A. So far my most challenging projects are ‘Winter Fae’ and ‘Armored Hearts’. In ‘Winter Fae’ I had to create a castle tree for the cover of this story. It pushed my skills to the limit but eventually, I did it.
‘Armored Hearts’ was a challenge in one area of the cover — the wheelchair. I’ve had done some isolation of items before, but the wheelchair was a project in itself. After researching online, I found a method that worked for me and I did it! It took me countless HOURS to get it done, but I was happy (and impressed) with the results I achieved.
Being self-taught is challenging in itself.
Both covers were requested by Pauline Creeden — she likes to challenge me. 🙂
Q. What are some of the rewards of working with the indie community?
A. The Indie Community is SO LOVING and grateful. I think it’s because they are so close to you (readers, bloggers, fans). I personally feel happy that I can help someone in another step of getting published.
Q. Where can you/would you like to see your digital design ventures in 10 years?
A. Well, this is a hard question. I haven’t really thought about it lately, but I think that eventually I’d like to work with bigger publishing houses and maybe even graphics for marketing. But I will never stop helping and working with the Indie Community.
Q. Do you have any favorite genres? What are they? What about them appeals to you?
A. I don’t think I have a favorite genre. As long as the story is good, I’m in. Some of the authors that I love are Paulo Coelho and Dan Brown. They are both very, very different. I’ve recently read some paranormal romance and I like it too. So yeah, I don’t have a favorite. I love head-scratching plot twists.
Q. On your Web site, you offer a wide variety of services, everything from eBook covers to bookmarks to book trailers. Are there any plans for future services you might like to share?
A. Yes! I just added, literally a few hours ago, 3D Paperback designs and mobile. I am working on learning book formatting, too. Additionally, it’s not on my website (soon to be added, though), but I can work very well with WordPress and I can organize book tours/reveal days, etc.
Q. What book(s) are you reading right now?
A. I recently finished reading ‘The Painter Series’ (two books) by Melissa Turner Lee. I am currently beta-reading for Pauline Creeden. I like to read one book at a time. So, I put on hold ‘Breathless’ by Scott Prussing.
Q. What is one book you’ve read that you would have loved to design a cover for? If you could have one author call you up out of the blue and say “I must have Marcy Rachel design my next cover!” – who would it be and why?
A. I don’t think I have a particular author that I’d love to design a cover for. I mean, I always feel very honored when an author approaches me asking me to do any kind of design for them, regardless of who it is.
Q. Do you think you’ll ever go back to your ’11 NaNo?
A. I might! I have so many stories in my head… The reason why I stopped is because I hit a writer’s block and never got out of it, which lead me to be behind on my word count and I got discouraged. But yeah, eventually I want to be able to finish it. Actually, I have like 3 stories I’ve started, none of them finished.
Q. Anything else to add?
A. Well, if anyone’s in need of any kind of design, give me a chance!! <3
Web: www.marcyracheldesigns.com
FB: www.facebook.com/MarcyRachelDesigns
Twitter: @MarcyRDesigns
