Books Forward is celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and one of the ways we’re celebrating is by showcasing 25 people you should know in the book world. There are many unique roles in the book world, and the many kinds of people who play a part in the community we love.
Today, we’re getting to know Elisha Zepeda (he/him), a book cover designer with Penguin Press. Stay up to date on other industry professionals by reading our Lit Happens blog throughout the year.
9 a.m.
Wake up to Portland rain. Glance emails to see if I’m needed immediately — I avoid any screen time/social media in the morning, it’s a terrible way to start the day. If work isn’t urgent, I’ll usually read a few chapters of a book in bed.
9:30 a.m.
Make coffee. I drink decaf because I don’t like caffeine jitters. Make my breakfast burrito and pastry, have some smoothie.
10 a.m . -noon 
Start my Penguin work. Usually this entails designing a new cover for an upcoming book — sometimes I make just a handful of options, though I recently made 70 options for a single book.
Sometimes I’m tasked with building out a full mechanical (biz term for the jacket/sleeve that entails a spine, back, flaps). This is for a cover that’s already been approved, and now is ready to be delivered to our printers.
On days when my workload is low for Penguin, I’ll use this time to check my freelance email and do freelance work. I usually do 1-2 freelance books a month. This is typically my most focused work time. I think creatively I can only produce new ideas in a short period like this. Asking me to work for 8 hours straight on a design will just mean I give you 2 good hours until my brain turns to mush. I try to stare at a screen the least amount possible.
Noon
Sometimes a meeting. These are brief — limited to members of the imprint I’m with. Here we may discuss cover options, revisions, book cover alchemy, etc.
12:30 p.m.
Take a walk. Have to get outside or I feel like a corporate computer animal.
1 p.m.
Sometimes I’ll meet up with friends at a local cafe and we’ll co-work. Some of them also work remotely, some of them are grad students. It’s nice to briefly catch up, then get our busy work done. This is when I’ll do “busy work” stuff that is non-creative, like reply to freelance inquiries, or send out invoices.
3 p.m.
If I am busy, I’ll work out some more cover options for a few hours. Sometimes that means creating a moodboard. I have days where I’ll just browse Pinterest for hours to narrow down what this cover should look like. If my creative brain isn’t coming up with anything, I won’t force it. If I’m not busy I’ll take this time to do other creative hobbies. Or do household chores. Or run errands.
5 p.m.
Figure out the rest of my night — meeting with someone for dinner? Hanging out? Calling a family member? Who knows.
8 p.m.
My creative brain turns on at night, when it’s dark and quiet. I really enjoy making covers at this time, usually around 8 p.m.-1 a.m. I can’t really explain it but my mind is just more at ease, and I can access the “play” area of my creativity, so that design becomes something I’m doing for fun and doesn’t feel like a job. Throw on a podcast or album. Usually my designs come out much more inspired when my brain is in this state. I think as we get older we lose touch with playing for the sake of playing. Productivity is forced on us everywhere we turn, so if I can turn my job into enjoyment, I’d rather do it on my own terms/time, since my job allows for that.
The downside is of course, it being 11 p.m. and sacrificing a healthy sleep schedule. But luckily I can usually sleep in (remote work is amazing, I am very grateful). I think a lot of creatives relate to that night owl technique.
Elisha Zepeda is a book cover designer with Penguin Press. For a few years he worked with Faceout Studio. His process videos on Instagram and TikTok have earned him a virality in the publishing industry and among book/design lovers alike. This has led to many great career opportunities with authors, celebrities, and major companies so far in his short 3 year career — and has helped show the career of book cover design to a wide audience.
The first books he’s worked on with Penguin will hit major retailers this fall. Many others from his time with Faceout are available online. Check his website to stay updated.
Apart from books, Elisha stays busy between Oregon and California. Up in Oregon he plays and records music with friends around Portland and Bend. In California he frequently visits Orange County and the Central Coast where family lives.
Ellen Whitfield is senior publicist at Books Forward, an author publicity and book marketing firm committed to promoting voices from a diverse variety of communities. From book reviews and author events, to social media and digital marketing, we help authors find success and connect with readers.
Interested in what’s possible for your book sales and building readership? Check out our services, tell us your goals, and get a customized publicity campaign tailored just for you.
