Mary Ann Smith

Mary Ann Smith – Designer

With 20+ yrs experience in fiction, rom-com, wellness and career guides, my clients include Simon and Schuster and PenguinRandomHouse.

Overview

I'm a professional book cover designer and illustrator. I create covers that match subject matter with intended audiences to come up with original takes on established genres. Woman's fiction, rom-com, wellness and career guides are my specialty. I've also created covers for numerous best sellers in fiction and non fiction. I connect, listen and create concepts that meet your expectations with an awareness of the bookselling market that only experience offers.
Services
Non-Fiction
Career Guides Health & Wellbeing Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Romance
Languages
English
Certifications
  • BFA from Parson's School of Design

Work experience

Self-employed

May, 1994 — Present
I design book covers for fiction, non-fiction, print and e-books. My clients include both major and independent publishers as well as university presses. I illustrate for select book covers. My responsibilities include concepting, design, mechanical preparation, client conferencing, photo research and retouching and manipulation, illustration. My Clients include Penguin Random House, Simon and Schuster, Hachette Book Group, Harlequin and Hay House.

Penguin Random House

Mar, 1989 — May, 1994 (about 5 years)
I designed book covers in the adult trade art department for various imprints including Dutton, Viking, Plume and Penguin. I also created illustrations for select covers. My responsibilities included concepting, design, print file preparation, management of project schedules, handling of revisions and meeting multiple deadlines simultaneously.

Portfolio

When Happily Ever After Fails: A Novel

Deane, Courtney

SparkPress

Cover Design Illustration
Get Lucky: A Novel

Katherine Center

How do you change your luck? Katherine Center’s marvelously entertaining and poignant new novel is about choosing to look for happiness—and maybe getting lucky enough to find it. Sarah Harper ... read more
Cover Design Typography
From the former Communications Director for the White House and current political media strategist comes a suspenseful and smart commercial novel about the first female president and all drama... read more
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Annie in Retrospect: A Novel

Voegele, Kristina

SparkPress

Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Illustration Typography
Cover Design Typography
The Sensual God: How the Senses Make the Almighty Senseless

Kleinberg, Aviad

Columbia University Press

Cover Design Typography
Cover Design Typography
The Truth About Horses: A Novel

Cashman, Christy

SparkPress

Cover Design Typography
Made with Reedsy
Secrets In Our Scars

Rebecca Trogner

A sexy romance. A twisted mystery. One mistake can change everything.Daisy Aldridge is a young woman caught in a web of secrets. Making a routine delivery on a sweltering summer day, Daisy kno... read more
Cover Design Typography
The new breathtaking novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the This Man trilogyONE NIGHT WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH . . .Livy notices him the moment he walks into the coffee shop. H... read more
Cover Design Typography
Cover Design Typography
Reinvention is the key to success in these volatile times—and Pamela Mitchell holds the key to reinvention!In The 10 Laws of Career Reinvention, America's Reinvention Coach® Pamela Mitchell of... read more
Cover Design Typography
From the doctor whose "extraordinary practice is at the vanguard of a revolutionary way to deliver medical care" (O, The Oprah Magazine), an easy program to restore energy and health. • DO YOU... read more
Cover Design Typography

Mary Ann has 93 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Enid R.

Enid R.

Jul, 2025

Pinned
Mary Ann is such a pleasure to work with. She's highly professional, always on time, and does such beautiful work. I'm so happy with all of the book covers that she's created for me, and I'll definitely be using her services again to complete my series. Thank you so much, Mary Ann! 😊
Darin N.

Darin N.

Dec, 2025

Mary Ann will make you a great cover that embraces your book. She listens to feedback. Her designs are thoughtful and creative.
Alexandra M.

Alexandra M.

Dec, 2025

Mary Ann was great to deal with over messages and delivered everything promptly. Unfortunately, I think my vision wasn't coming across clearly, and I expected more of them than they could deliver based on their portfolio.
Paige B.

Paige B.

Nov, 2025

Working with Mary Ann was a wonderful experience! She was quick to respond to feedback and did an incredible job of capturing the vibes of my story. I couldn't be happier with how the cover turned out!
Paul S.

Paul S.

Oct, 2025

Mary Ann is a wonderfully talented artist. She delivered several different concepts and each one was eye catching and showed a great deal of creativity. One in particular truly spoke to me and when I had a few minor adjustments that I wanted to make, she did them quickly, effectively and better t...
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