Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an artist who creates a lot of upbeat art that usually touches on very serious issues, though it may not look that way at first glance.
I have several big thick books of original drawings, a guide book to an imaginary land and a graphic novel that explores my very relatable shopping habits.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Taming The Shopping Bug: My Year of Minimalist Shopping
This is a 280 page graphic novel that documents my year spent learning how to shop less and live more. I found I was doing more shopping than I cared to admit and wanted to figure out why. So I made a plan to limit my shopping and research things like the psychology behind the shopping for recreation impulse, the history of recreational shopping, how people use what they buy as social capital and other topics like those. Boy did I learn a lot! So I drew it all out in page after page of upbeat, imaginative explanations the reader can truly relate to.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Sort of, I sketch out my concepts, maybe do some research then sit in my studio and draw them out on paper then redraw again using a digital notepad, in my case my iPad Pro.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Of course, Joshua Becker of BecomingMinimalist.com has influenced me in terms of figuring out what a minimalist lifestyle is, Marie Kondo and her KonMari method played a role in this book too. But then so did a wealth of graphic novelists, like Mimi Pond, Lynda Barry and Tove Jansson, etc.
What are you working on now?
I’m creating a series of sessions, blog posts and workshops based on the working title “Strengthening Your Artist’s Voice” for people looking to discover their most authentic and unique creative visions.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am hoping to come up to speed on this quickly, but so far my social media accounts and personal word of mouth has been my best promo tools.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be optimistically persistent with what it is you want to share with your readers. Don’t give up when the going gets challenging. Assemble a reliable team of cheerleaders and people will to hold you accountable to your stated dreams and then get to work!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When it comes to selling books, I would say it has to be the reminders of all the super popular writers who almost didn’t get that first work published. So the advice that goes along with that is, BELIEVE IN YOUR WORK. And do the hard work within yourself to make what you create truly representative of your highest aspirations for yourself. Then, even if miracles don’t happen, you can still be proud of what you accomplished.
What are you reading now?
A stack of books written by other creatives on the topic of creativity, several novels and a couple of nonfiction books that are helping learn how to see past the negativity of the current zeitgeist.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Oh! I almost forgot, I am currently halfway through with a bilingual children’s book of animal stories – writing and illustrating. The proceeds are earmarked for animal rescue and spaying and neutering clinics here in Mexico where I currently live.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Always a tough question. But here goes:
1. a blank book (and hopefully I’ve got a pencil or other drawing implements)
2. A Dictionary so I could remember all the words
3. A practical survivor guide complete with lots of how to pictures
4. Archy and Mehitabel by Don Marquis
Author Websites and Profiles
Marti McGinnis Website
Marti McGinnis Amazon Profile
Marti McGinnis’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Pinterest Account