Lorna Murphy

Lorna Murphy – Designer

Children's book illustrator specialist for over 10 years/ all-genre book cover designer based in UK and Spain.

Overview

I'm a professional illustrator/book cover designer/indie-publisher specialising in children's books. I graduated with an MA at Cambridge School of Art in the UK and have been a freelancer since for over 10 years. In that time, I've worked with both commercial and independent clients worldwide to create illustrations and book covers that stand out from the crowd for both fiction and non-fiction titles.

So:

...have you written a great story for young readers that you want to bring to life in a full-colour illustrated picture book?

UPDATE: PLEASE NOTE , I WILL NOT BE TAKING ON ANYMORE LARGE-SCALE PROJECTS LIKE PICTURE BOOKS FOR THE MOMENT BUT I AM STILL HAPPY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON YOUR PROJECT AND AM STILL AVAILABLE FOR SHORTER PROJECTS SUCH AS COVER DESIGN , CHAPTER BOOKS AND NOVELS.

Or perhaps your story is for slightly more advanced readers: an early reader or chapter book and you need a great cover and illustrations for each chapter?

Or maybe you've written a novel in another genre and you want something different for your cover to make it stand out in the listings. A hand-rendered illustrated cover might be just what it needs.

Or perhaps you just need some guidance on your story, creating a picture book or the whole self-publishing process.

Whatever your project, whatever stage you are at - with my knowledge and experience, I can help.
I will guide you through the process from original idea to finished book if required or any stage in-between.
We'll be in constant contact throughout our collaboration and together we'll create a book you can really be proud of, and can't wait to share on book launch day.
Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Middle Grade Mystery & Crime Picture Books Romance Thriller & Suspense Women's Fiction Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Languages
English
Certifications
  • BA Illustration
  • HND Graphic Design
  • MA Childrens Book Illustration

Work experience

Home

Jul, 2011 — Present

Over the years I’ve been a librarian, artist, writer, picture book critique-r, book designer, published illustrator, indie-publisher and award winner - I think it’s fair to say: I know books! For almost a decade, I have been helping indie-publishers around the world create beautiful books they can be proud of and their readers love. Though I specialise in children’s book illustration, I also design covers for all genres. Every project is unique with all designs tailored specifically to your needs.

Portfolio

Maisie's Mountain

Lorna Murphy

Maisie loves things and just can't stop collecting them. Very soon she'll run out of room to put them. What will happen then? A humorous bedtime tale for younger readers about having too much stuff. Do you have a little hoarder in your family? Then read on..
My Family

Ceri Kerrison-Perfect

Not all families have a Mummy and Daddy. Jacks family is different. He wants to tell you about his family and about all the other kinds of family there are.
Stevie Buchanan's family has a secret.Catherine Stone has a secret.Stevie knows nothing. Catherine knows everything.Set between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, this is the story of an innocent life thrown into the deep.When their worlds collide and the real t... read more
HONORABLE MENTION (YOUNG READER CATEGORY) IN THE READER VIEWS LITERARY AWARDS. In the hostile environment of the ancient deserts, magic still exerts its power over mankind. In these three Arabian nights-inspired tales, travellers find themselves at the mercy o... read more
Cora ROMhat

Elaine Abrol

A 13- year-old alien on a secret mission. Robots from another planet. Talking dogs. A kidnapping. A poop-eating bin lorry. An ice-cream man who thinks he's a pirate. A bonkers mice-obsessed granny. The local zoo. Put them together and what have you got? The sc... read more
Skyco, an Algonquin boy, is heir to the great chief Menatonon, but he has much to learn before he can take his place within the tribe. He studies with the shaman Roncommock, who teaches him how to enter the spirit world and communicate with spirits and other a... read more
Norman Snodgrass is an unlikely hero. Clumsy and overweight, he spends his time trying to avoid being teased by his Poggle classmates. When he loses the school pet, Norman reluctantly sets off to find Spong inside the strange Green Planet where rocks move and ... read more
When fearless cat Eddie has yet another accident he decides enough is enough. No more adventures for him!. But what exactly does a daredevil like Eddie do when he can’t be daring? A fun picture book for all ages.
Who's Stu?

Lorna Murphy

When old Snake laughs at Stu for not knowing what colour he is, Stu feels so silly. So he turns to his friends to help him find out and learns so much more along the way. A book about friendship and identity for young readers.
It's the summer of 2058 and Austin Larson is on the runway at Casablanca Spaceport. He thinks he's heading for a very ordinary few weeks visiting his father on the Moon. But even though Lunar City is no playground for a thirteen year-old, friendship, adventure... read more
Poo! What is That Smell?

Lorna has 4 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Terry B.

Terry B.

Aug, 2020

I can't say enough about Lorna Murphy. The communication was excellent! The illustrations were excellent! Formatting was excellent! She went above and beyond to help me with my first book and was an incredible experience. I hope to use her talent again in the future. Thank You so much Lorna.
Lorna M.
Thank you Terry. Likewise, it was an absolute pleasure to work with you. Thank you for inviting me to be part of your project and best of luck with your book. Pearl’s inspirational story deserves t...
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Carol W.

Carol W.

Oct, 2019

It would be my pleasure to work with Lorna Murphy on any project. She is very professional, yet personable. Lorna has great insight and brings an emotional approach to her work that was perfect for my children's book. The little nuances, such as Lily's room and her little dog - using nature to reflect the mood, etc., is quite extraordinary. She also went to great lengths and a great deal of (u...
Read more
Lorna M.
Thank you Carol. It was a pleasure working with you as you too were professional and personable. Collaboration was very easy with you. I'm so glad that your beautiful story and project is now out t...
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Sue B.

Sue B.

Jun, 2018

I’m absolutely delighted with the illustration that Lorna has produced and she has been a delight to work with. Really appreciated the honest advice and her patience with me as a first-time publisher. Thanks again Lorna.
Lorna M.
Thanks Sue. You made this collaboration very easy. Clear in what you wanted, approachable, open to suggested changes. An absolute pleasure to work with. Good luck with the book
Dayna A.

Dayna A.

Aug, 2017

Lorna is very skilled and talented, and I enjoyed working with her.

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