Gareth Southwell - Designer
Experienced illustrator with humorous, quirky, detailed style. Offers illustration, project management, book formatting and cover design.
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Overview
I'm an illustrator, book designer and writer from the UK with 20 years' experience in the publishing industry. I've worked for a number of high profile clients, providing illustrations for books (covers and interior pages), magazines, websites and other media.
I'm also a traditionally published author of popular philosophy (occasionally also providing illustrations for publishers of my own books) and a self-published writer of fiction, so I understand the publishing and book production process from all sides.
I don't use stock photos or images, and my covers usually incorporate some form of illustration. My style suits humorous fiction and non-fiction, satire, or quirky and unusual subjects.
I also offer book formatting (both print and ebook) and interior design, production management (seeing your book through the publishing process, uploading to Amazon, Ingram Spark, etc), and I'm happy to provide free advice on blurb writing, book marketing, author platform, and other book-related matters.
Whether you are a self-published author or a fellow industry professional, I'll try to accommodate your budget. Please get in touch to tell me about your book and to chat about your requirements.
I'm also a traditionally published author of popular philosophy (occasionally also providing illustrations for publishers of my own books) and a self-published writer of fiction, so I understand the publishing and book production process from all sides.
I don't use stock photos or images, and my covers usually incorporate some form of illustration. My style suits humorous fiction and non-fiction, satire, or quirky and unusual subjects.
I also offer book formatting (both print and ebook) and interior design, production management (seeing your book through the publishing process, uploading to Amazon, Ingram Spark, etc), and I'm happy to provide free advice on blurb writing, book marketing, author platform, and other book-related matters.
Whether you are a self-published author or a fellow industry professional, I'll try to accommodate your budget. Please get in touch to tell me about your book and to chat about your requirements.
Languages
English
Fiction
Cozy Mysteries
Humor & Comedy
Middle Grade
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Philosophy
Political Science & Current Affairs
Psychology
Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Work experience
Freelance Illustrator and Writer
Self-employed
November, 2003
–
Present
(over 19 years)
Portfolio (17 selected works)
Cricket's Greatest Rivalry
Simon Hughes
From the William Hill Award-Winning Author of A Lot of Hard Yakka comes Cricket's Greatest Rivalry: A History of the Ashes in 12 Matches by Simon Hughes.A fast-paced, distinctive history of the iconic, 137-year-old cricketing rivalry between England and Australia published in the year of back-to-back Ashes contests.No other sport has a fixture like the Ashes. From the early 1880s the rivalry b... read more
Money Bags
Browne, Michael G.
Bronx Dharma: A Street Level View of Zen Buddhism
Duvinsky, Jerry
Cracking the Quantum Mystery
Seabrook, Garry
MUNKi (Merrywhile Book 2)
Southwell, Gareth J.
Pale Kings (Merrywhile Book 1)
Southwell, Gareth J.
What Would Marx Do?
Gareth Southwell
Have you ever wondered what Kant might have to say about your addiction to social media? Or whether Plato would be able to help resolve your constant arguments about what to watch on TV? Or if Hobbes would agree to feed your pet hamster while you're away on holiday?When it comes to the really important questions, who better to ask than the greatest political minds in history, with What Would M... read more
A Beginner's Guide to Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil
Gareth Southwell
A concise and very readable summary of Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil, geared toward students embarking on their studies and general readers. It is an ideal companion for those new to the study of this challenging and often misunderstood classic. Offers clear explanations of the central themes and ideas, terminology, and arguments Includes a glossary of difficult terms as well as helpful bio... read more
What Would Keynes Do?
Tejvan Pettinger
Have you ever wondered what Adam Smith would have to say about you playing the lottery? Or whether Jeremy Bentham could cure your hangover (through economics)? Ever pondered over what Milton Friedman might get you for Christmas?By comparing and contrasting what the greatest economists of all time would have to say about 40 questions from your everyday life, What Would Keynes Do? will help you ... read more
What Would de Beauvoir Do
Tabi Jackson Gee, Freya Rose
Ever thought about what Tinder advice Naomi Wolf would give you?Ever wondered what Andrea Dworkin would think about your Brazilian wax? Or what Mary Wollstonecraft would think about the 'fairy-tale' weddings you're always invited to? Using 40 everyday questions and problems as springboards for exploring the theories and concepts of the greatest feminist theorists of all time, from the pioneeri... read more
What Would Freud Do?
Sarah Tomley
What Would Freud Do? uses the key ideas of more than 80 psychological thinkers, past and present, to shine new light onto today's everyday problems. Ever wondered what a great therapist like Freud or Jung would have to say about your horrible boss, your phone-checking addiction or an occasional wish to cheat on your partner? Ever wished someone would explain why you sometimes act like an idiot... read more
What Would Nietzsche Do?
Marcus Weeks
What Would Nietzsche Do? uses the key ideas of more than 80 philosophical thinkers, past and present, to shine new light onto today's everyday problems.Ever wondered if Schopenhauer could fix your broken heart? How Heraclitus might help you if you lost your phone? Given the chance, would Foucault leave the toilet seat up?With sections on Relationships, Self and Identity, How to Live, Art and A... read more
Philosophy: Key Themes
J. Baggini, G. Southwell
Philosophy: Key Themes is a beginner's guide to understanding and critiquing philosophical arguments. Each chapter introduces one of the major themes in philosophy. Baggini's approach combines explanation with summary while encouraging the reader to question the arguments and positions presented.
The Good Brexiteers Guide to English Lit
John Sutherland
What is Nigel Farage’s favorite novel? Why do Brexiteers love Sherlock Holmes? Is Philip Larkin the best Brexit poet ever? Through the politically relevant sideroad of English Literature, writ large, John Sutherland quarries the great literary minds of English history to assemble the ultimate reading list for Brexiteers. Brexit shook Britain to its roots and sent shockwaves across the world. B... read more
Defective for Hire: A Nigel Comedy Mystery
D. R. Lowrey
Half the town thinks Nigel is an imbecile; they learned it from the other half. But if he were to unravel a murderous scheme, might he rise to, say, moron status?Possible, but the townsfolk scoff at this Englishman who chose New Antigua, Texas for an “early semi-retirement.” Such things don't happen without a defect. But Nigel had a reason. His wife, Annie—policewoman, former marine, native Ne... read more
Descartes's Dog: Animals, Machines, and the Problem of Other Minds
Southwell, Gareth
Gareth has 24 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Gareth went above and beyond my expectations as far as cover design, typesetting, and mentoring me through the process of self-publishing. Five stars are not nearly enough for the service and quality he provides.
I have already received several compliments on my book cover. When it comes time for my next book projects to need cover art and typesetting, I will be reaching out to Gareth again ...
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Chelley Avicolli, January 2023
Reply from Gareth Southwell
I'd wanted to do a small 'self-publishing' project with my own photos and sketches. I was extremely fortunate to find Gareth and that he was available. He really, really knows his stuff. He transformed my text and illustrations with huge care, professionalism, and attention to detail. At all times in the collaboration, he was courteous, responsive, and made excellent suggestions regarding pro...
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Ian Forth, November 2022
Reply from Gareth Southwell
Working with Gareth has been a fantastic experience! The Square-Peg Leader Delusion: The Art of Building and Leading Bulletproof Teams was my first book and we weren't sure how to fit Gareth's art into a business book, yet I knew I wanted my book cover design to be unconventional and to really stand out. Gareth did all that and more. He was able to capture the essence of the book into the cover...
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Maria Aguirre, September 2022
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Reply from Gareth Southwell
Gareth was thorough, considerate, extremely communicative, and produced beautiful work for the interior design and layout of my book. My project had short notice and tight time constraints, but Gareth fully accommodated my project's needs and delivered on quality. He made sure the process was clear and agreeable, and he was pleasant and insightful along the way. He was a pleasure to work with.
Robert Pantano, August 2022
Reply from Gareth Southwell
My collaboration with Gareth was once again beyond expectation.
He gave such invaluable input, always respecting my own ideas and thoughts and working to give me the absolute best result.
A great experience!!!
Pearl Kasujja, May 2022
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Reply from Gareth Southwell
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