Indie authors are the lifeblood of what I do, creating illustrated character art, author portraits for their marketing and even full book covers. I work with authors who match my values and it’s time to shine a light on these wonderful people!
Please welcome Lowri Charles!
Author of ‘Call it Fete’ and ‘This Is Going to ruin the Tour’ coming in 2026.
Hello Lowri! Please introduce us to yourself and your books.
Hello! I’m Lowri Charles — Civil Servant by day, indie author by night. I’m a roller skating, crocheting writer of queer, fat-positive books.
What will make people fall in love with your main characters?
My characters are as real as they can get. Even if they’re working in high-profile jobs, they still have the same worries and concerns as me and you. From Alex, the single gay dad who’s desperately trying to prove he can be a member of the Perfect Parent Club in Call it Fete, to Rhys, who thinks his new co-worker Lucy is trying to steal his best friend from him in This Is Going To Ruin the Tour. It just so happens his best friend is one of the world’s most famous pop stars (at least in this universe), but that doesn’t stop those feelings from being real and relatable.
What tropes can people find in your books?
Forcing idiots together and making them fall in love is my speciality, so you’ll always find some elements of forced proximity. Otherwise, I love writing about grumpy / sunshine and enemies to lovers vibes, difficult families, small towns/cities, very British places.
“Forcing idiots together and making them fall in love is my speciality” – Lowri Charles Author
What will surprise people most about your book/s?
They’re still a bit spicy. I write comfort food in a book form – cosy stories you can stretch out on a sun lounger, or curl up in front of a fire with – but that doesn’t mean they’re not just the little bit spicy.
What is your favourite thing about being an indie, self-published author?
That I control it all. Like some evil overlord… No, only kidding. I could never be evil. But I do control what’s in my books, what my books look like, who gets to read them (or at least I can steer the right crowd towards my books), when they get put out in the world. I wouldn’t trust my babies with anyone else.
What has been your biggest challenge or barrier to publishing your books?
Money! God, I hate that it comes down to that but being self-published is expensive, especially if you have no skills other than writing. Some authors are great at putting covers together, or can draw the most beautiful character art, but not me. And time. I’m a senior manager in my profession, belong to a roller derby team, care for my nan. Doesn’t leave a lot of time left for writing.
What has been your biggest challenge commissioning artwork in the past?
Finding trustworthy artists. Call it Fete is marred by bad experiences – an artist who I learned traced a lot of the art she sold, and I can no longer get hold of my cover artist. AI is rife in our industry (yuk) so it’s important to me to find artists who believe in the same things I do, including not using AI in our works.
How did you discover my work?
Either someone recommended you, or you reached out. Either way, it was in response to a plea I put on Threads for a good artist who doesn’t use AI and was reasonably priced. I checked you out, adored your style and we are currently enjoying our HEA after you ticked all two boxes!
Lottie: (I love that we got our happily ever after Lowri!)
Artwork by Lottie Thomson, commissioned by Lowri Charles for the upcoming romance novel ‘This Is Going To Ruin The Tour’.
What appealed to you most about working with me and how was your overall experience?
Your style is gorgeous and it fits in with the aesthetic I’m trying to create with my books. On top of that, you came across as good people on social media, and that’s something I value a lot. Working with you was a dream. No change was too big and I felt it was a collaborative effort to create my beautiful art.
“I felt it was a collaborative effort to create my beautiful art.” – Lowri Charles Author
What does having appealing character art mean to your marketing and to your readers?
Everything! Indie authors still have a reputation of looking unprofessional, and it’s something I’m desperate to dispel. Having art available for my books means I can provide something extra to my readers, something to frame or admire.
Are there any other professionals that you’ve worked with that you’d like to recommend to other authors?
The only other artist I recommend nowadays aside from you is @a.loveunlaced
Lottie : (What beautiful work! Go check them out folks!)
Where can people buy your books and follow you on social media?
Call it Fete is available now. This is Going to Ruin the Tour is out in 2026.
Lottie Thomson (Charlotte Thomson-Morley – she/her) brings character art, portraits and book covers to life for indie authors. Based in the UK and with over 20 years experience as a freelance illustrator, she specialises in consciously inclusive and playful art, supplied ready for use for print marketing and on social media alike.
I’m thrilled to announce that I’m the illustrator attached to the book ‘Find Your Fabulous’ by author, confidence educator and motivational speaker Vie Portland of Vieness CIC.
Vie has published several inclusive children’s books, but this will be her first non-fiction book, based on the inclusive confidence building workshops she runs in schools around the UK. It will be our first time working together and our shared values make this a really exciting project to be a part of.
It’s currently in the crowdfunding stage, with an early sketch shown above!
The book illustrations will consciously depict children with visible disabilities and neuro-diversity. You can also choose a funding option whereby your child’s likeness will be included in the book!
‘Radical Self Love’ a book by Gala Darling, interior black & white illustrations created by Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Thomson.
I was fortunate to meet Gala Darling at a blogging event prior to the release of her book, I was ‘live scribing’ at the event so Gala saw me create art in person and loved what she saw!
It wasn’t long before she approached me via email to create the interior illustrations for her book Radical Self Love. Initially self published it was scooped up by Hay House, and the rest is history!
The illustrations feature throughout the book as chapter headers & full pages between sections. They represent the themes of the different sections of the book which centres around self care, self respect, cultivating magical friendships and building a positive relationship with yourself. My favourite illustrations are the portraits of Gala and her friend and the ‘Magic and Manifesting’ illustrations which appeal to my love of all things mystical.
