Two people, one bookshelf.
S&F is Simms and Farrell. Karl writes them, Lucy draws them, and between them they make the books they wanted to find on their own shelves.
Every book we publish begins the same way: one of us reads a passage aloud, and the other instinctively reaches for a pencil.
Simms & Farrell Publishing was born from that creative spark. As an author and illustrator duo, we grew frustrated with traditional publishing models that too often separate words from images — treating the story and the artwork as two separate projects. We wanted more. We wanted books where the writing and illustration are developed together, in conversation, from the very first idea.
So we created our own home for stories. A place where words and illustrations are inseparable — shaped in the same room, often through lively debate about characters, endings, and details. Here, covers are not an afterthought, and illustrations are never added as a last-minute consideration. Every book is crafted as a complete, cohesive experience.
We proudly publish across a wide range of genres — from dark romantasy and horror to children’s adventures and everything in between. This reflects how we read and live: without artificial boundaries. What unites our list is simple — every title must first earn its place on our own shelves. Only then do we believe it deserves a place on yours.
At Simms & Farrell, our mission is to bring exceptional stories to life with care, passion, and artistry — while building a supportive platform for talented authors and illustrators who share our commitment to quality and creativity.
The Illustrator
Lucy Simms
Lucy Simms is a talented illustrator and storyteller from Manchester with a distinctive, warm, and imaginative style that brings characters and worlds to life on the page.
As the creator of the beloved Adventures of Henry series, Lucy has a special gift for crafting delightful stories and visuals that captivate young readers. Her work spans children’s books, fantasy, and beyond — always infused with heart, charm, and attention to detail.
Together with author Karl Farrell, Lucy co-founded Simms & Farrell Publishing. Their shared vision is to create high-quality books that enchant readers, celebrate bold storytelling, and build a supportive platform for both established and emerging authors. Through close collaboration, Lucy’s illustrations perfectly complement Karl’s narratives, adding rich layers of emotion and wonder to every story.
Passionate about the power of visual storytelling, Lucy is dedicated to helping authors turn their ideas into beautifully realised books that readers will treasure.
The Author
Karl Farrell
Karl Farrell is a Liverpool-born author with an insatiable creative spirit and a passion for storytelling across multiple genres. From heartfelt children’s books to chilling horror and sweeping romantasy, Karl writes the stories that excite and move him — always ready to sink his teeth into new worlds and ideas.
He is currently pouring his energy into Veiled Marks, the first book in his Counterpart series — a captivating blend of romantasy and dark romance. Collaborating closely with the talented illustrator Lucy Simms, Karl co-founded Simms & Farrell Publishing with a clear mission: to craft and deliver high-quality books that bring stories vividly to life, connect with readers, and build a supportive home for bold, emerging voices.
For Karl, writing is more than a passion — it is a calling. His dream is to pursue this full-time, creating imaginative worlds while championing other authors on their own journeys.
Whether you’re looking for magic, wonder, darkness, or delight, Karl invites you to join him on this exciting adventure.
Every title had to earn its place on our shelf first.