Book illustration by Anna Simmons featuring hand-lettered title “NORTHEAST” in red and blue capitals over a rosy sunset sky, with vintage-style illustrated stickers of a pinecone, whale, anchor, and lifebuoy

Book Illustration Services

Hand-lettered title and vintage-inspired illustrations designed to bring character and cohesion to regional and travel publishing projects

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Illustration for Non-Fiction and Covers

I create illustrations for books, from hand lettering to maps to research-led artwork for non-fiction titles. Fuelled by curiosity and a knack for design, I dive deep into research and bring a lively, engaging touch to every project. My illustrations have been used across covers, spreads, and one-off features.

Illustrations on the page

Each project below shows different ways I apply storytelling, imagination, design, and research, to book formats.

Great American Road Trips - Maps and Lettering Across a Series

I contributed to Reader’s Digest’s American Road Trips series with a mix of maps, lettering, and compact illustrations designed to make each book engaging and visually coherent. From full-page double-page maps to small point-of-interest illustrations, I make sure every element fit well with the layout, was easy to understand, and matched the overall style. 

Photograph of an open book showing title page with hand-lettered “SOUTHEAST” in yellow and turquoise by Anna Simmons, set against a photographic blue sky background, with sticker-style illustrations of a dolphin, Florida orange, and striped carousel

Section-title artwork combining hand lettering and location-inspired motifs to give each regional volume a distinctive visual identity.

  • Photograph of an open book spread featuring hand-lettered “NORTH EAST” in red and blue capitals by Anna Simmons, over a rosy sunset sky, with vintage-style sticker illustrations of a pinecone, whale, anchor, and lifebuoy.
  • Photograph of an open book spread featuring hand-lettered “NORTH EAST” in curly nautical rope style by Anna Simmons, over a purple sky, with a mini locator map of New England showing Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, plus trees, a small boat, an
  • Photograph of an open book spread featuring bold white and red “MIDWEST” lettering by Anna Simmons, over a grey-blue sky and sea background, with a yellow mini map of the Midwest showing an Amish man with a cart, Mount Rushmore, and a red barn.
  • Photograph of an open book spread featuring Spanish-inspired white “SOUTH WEST” lettering by Anna Simmons, over a pink sunset sky, with a warm orangey-red map of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma including a longhorn and mud buildings from New

A selection of the series’ title artwork, featuring hand-lettered titles, mini maps, and research-informed illustrations. These styles show how I approach illustration for non-fiction and covers, making each book engaging, readable, and visually distinctive.

My work brings location-based visuals, title and chapter lettering, and research-informed illustration to publishing projects, helping readers navigate complex content while keeping the books lively and accessible.

Photograph of two open books showing bold sans-serif place names below small locator maps of American states, illustrated and hand-lettered by Anna Simmons in green and yellow.

Small locator maps for each chapter, shown here across two volumes. I produced maps for all chapters, handling research, plotting correct routes across each state, and organising a large image library. This ensured the maps fit seamlessly with the book design and helped readers navigate each region.

Four illustrated Points of Interest emblems by Anna Simmons, designed in a limited colour palette and inspired by travel insignia. Each features hand lettering reading ‘Points of Interest’ in a different style

Spot illustrations for publishing, designed to introduce recurring Points of Interest features across the series. Each combines hand lettering with a travel-themed motif, making repeated phrases visually engaging and instantly recognisable, while helping readers navigate quick-read sections in non-fiction books.

Photo of a book with a double-page map of the United States, illustrated by Anna Simmons. Highlights national parks and wildlife in yellow and orange, Alaska and South America in pale blue, turquoise ocean surrounds.

A full-page double-page map illustrating national parks across the United States, designed to give readers clear orientation and bring regional highlights to life. This type of location-based visual supports navigation, enhances storytelling, and works seamlessly in illustration for non-fiction and covers projects.

Across the series, I created section-title artwork and chapter heading state maps, demonstrating organisational skill and systematic design thinking while adapting to different themes, and making sure the visuals felt right for each region. This kept information in the books lively and clear, making it simple for readers to follow along.

To get a better idea of my lettering and illustration style, you can find examples from the Best of 50 States book in my portfolio here.

Seven Wonders of the Ancient World - Fully Illustrated Historical Picture Book

For Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, I created research-led illustrations of historical people, communities, and architectural reconstructions. The project combined factual accuracy with imaginative interpretation, including sectional views and cut-away visuals: peeling back the layers, to reveal inner workings of grand monuments. My illustrations flow through the spreads, supporting the story and drawing readers into the world of the past. I teamed up with the designer to craft cover elements, tying together the interior and exterior for a seamless visual identity.

To see more of my illustrations for this project in context, visit the portfolio entry for this fully illustrated picture book

Photograph of the cover of a fully illustrated picture book by Anna Simmons, Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Title in gold on red background, featuring illustrations of ancient monuments, architecture, and people, with a decorative top border.

Elements from the interior illustrations were adapted and combined with new artwork to create a cohesive and visually engaging book cover for Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Rio de Janeiro: The Cookbook - Map Illustration for Culinary Context


For Rio de Janeiro: The Cookbook, I created a double-page map illustration that shows off the city’s lively spirit while grounding the food writing in a strong sense of place. The map brings together the neighbourhoods, landmarks, and cultural references that the writer describes, making them more relatable and helping readers visualise the streets - so you feel you’re wandering her home patch alongside her. I went bold with colour and texture to mirror Rio’s mix of hustle, beauty- and chaos. The illustration contributes to the friendly, fun feel of the book, inviting readers to explore the city right alongside the recipes.

Photograph of an open book showing a birds-eye map of Rio de Janeiro, with hundreds of colourful buildings, deep blue sea, and hand-lettered title Rio de Janeiro in letterpress-inspired style, illustrated by Anna Simmons.

A map illustration that brings Rio to life, helping readers visualise the city and its neighbourhoods, enhancing the sense of place in this location-focused cookery book.

Cold Comfort Farm - Self-Initiated Book Cover Design

I created a cover for Cold Comfort Farm, a novel I love, as a self-initiated project. It was a chance to experiment with hand lettering for book covers, vintage-inspired typography, and illustration for fiction books, exploring how design and storytelling can work together to capture a story’s tone. 

To see more of this project, click here

Everyone Loves New York - Selected for a Curated Gift Book

One of my illustrations made its way into Everyone Loves New York, a beautifully curated gift book. The publisher spotted a piece in my portfolio and asked to include it in the anthology. It’s a little moment showing how my work can fit naturally into commercially-focused projects while reaching a wide audience.

Photograph of an open book showing a bird’s-eye illustration of New York’s High Line and Meatpacking District, including Chelsea Market and yellow taxis, by Anna Simmons.

My New York High Line illustration, licensed for a curated publication.

How I can help with your book:

  • Hand-lettered serif font illustration by Anna Simmons in coral pink, deep blue, aqua green, red, and white.

    Title Lettering

    Hand-lettered titles, chapter openers, and section headings that bring personality and structure to the page

  • Compass and map grid illustration by Anna Simmons in coral pink, deep blue, aqua green, red, and white.

    Location-Based Visuals

    Illustrations that give readers clear context and orientation, seamlessly fitting into your book’s chapters and spreads

  • Antiquary statue illustration by Anna Simmons in coral pink, deep blue, aqua green, red, and white

    Research-Led Illustrations

    Visuals informed by factual or historical research, carefully composed to support storytelling and layout

Looking for illustration that brings your book to life?

I work closely with publishers and authors to create maps, lettering, and illustrations that fit seamlessly into your book’s design. Let’s talk about your project.

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