Our mission at SelfMadeHero is simple: to publish ground-breaking and beautiful work by authors and artists from across the globe, from the quirky and humorous to the political and profound. We are proud to bring readers graphic novels and visual narratives that provoke, entertain, inspire and inform. We pride ourselves on having high editorial and production values and are known for successfully promoting our authors through innovative press and marketing campaigns.
Best Graphic Album, Eisner Awards 2016: Winner (Ruins by Peter Kuper)
Best Book, British Comic Awards 2015: Winner (The Motherless Oven by Rob Davis)
Special Jury Prize, Angoulême 2013: Winner (The Nao of Brown by Glyn Dillon)
The FutureBook Digital Innovation Awards 2011: Highly Commended
UK Young Publisher of the Year 2008: Winner
Emma Hayley
Managing Director and Founder
Emma launched SelfMadeHero in 2007, after spotting a gap in the market for high quality graphic novels. Her background in publishing, following a postgraduate diploma in journalism at City University, London, has seen her work as a journalist, a film PR and as an editorial director for several small publishers. Since launching her own company, her focus has shifted to the business and entrepreneurial face of book publishing, while she remains hands-on in commissioning new titles. She was named UK Young Publishing Entrepreneur of the Year, as part of the British Book Industry Awards 2008.
Txabi Jones
Designer
Txabi is a freelance graphic designer from Bilbao who has been living and working in London for corporate and not-for-profit organisations for over 20 years. He has been with the SelfMadeHero team since October 2015. Txabi loves books and typography, and wishes he could play any musical instrument. Instead, he enjoys going to music events.
Kate McLauchlan
Designer
Kate has been working as a graphic designer, art director and illustrator for over 15 years. A major part of this time was spent as the senior designer and one of the founder members of Zombie Flesh Eaters, the multi-award-winning team behind Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett's animated pop band, Gorillaz. She has been involved in a wide variety of projects in the music, fashion, design and publishing industries. Her other clients have included CBBC, Eastpak, Xbox, McQ, BBC Three, Penguin Cafe Orchestra, Blended Republic and Formula One.
Paul Smith
Press Officer
Paul is a publicist and journalist with over 25 years' experience and a life-long love of comics and graphic novels. After studying European Literature and Art History, he worked at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and wrote book reviews for a number of publications. He became a publicist for film distributor Tartan Films, where he was instrumental in developing the Asia Extreme brand, which included Old Boy, Battle Royale, and Ringu. Other PR roles include FrightFest, BFI Flare and fringe theatre shows. He’s also a part-time film lecturer at London Metropolitan University. Yoga, Cult TV and reading are ways he finds to relax.
Jacob Ashbridge
Digital Content Manager / Publishing Assistant
Jacob is a lifelong comics fan who moved to London after betraying his Lancastrian heritage by studying English Literature at the University of York. 2022 saw him first work with SelfMadeHero on a professional placement as part of his MA in Creative Writing and Publishing at City, University of London. He joined more officially while completing that degree in 2023. When not working or spoiling his cat, Jacob is a writer with an obstructive number of hobbies.