Francesca introduces Salka her first novel for an adult readership

Francesca Simon writes: SALKA, Lady of the Lake, started life as a cantata called The Faerie Bride. My friend and opera collaborator, the composer Gavin Higgins, suggested we turn the medieval Welsh legend about a lake faerie who marries a shepherd on condition he never strikes her three heart-blows into a piece for two voices, […]

Faber announce publication of Francesca Simon’s first novel for adults

Salka is a passionate retelling of a haunting myth, a tragic romance that echoes through the ages. Faber will publish Salka: Lady of the Lake in April 2025. Francesca’s first novel for an adult readership is an exquisite and tautly moving tragedy told by multiple voices, both a richly woven retelling of an ancient Welsh […]

Fabulous Francesca Facts

"Families are great sources of comedy because they are about people trapped together. Only the parents chose to be there and the rest of you are stuck with these people that you might not necessarily like"

"Nobody feels emotions like children and with Henry, the war is constant and total. Anyone who has lived in a family has these shared experiences - the car journey from hell, nits or vomiting"

"I’ve never met a child who doesn’t love hearing stories. It’s a good way of introducing them to books and it’s a great way of getting them to understand stories that they might not be able to read themselves"

"We all love stories, it all helps making sense of the world"

"Horrid Henry speaks to the impish, rebellious child in all of us"

"My first book was called Papa Forgot and was published in 1993"

"I’ve written over fifty books"

"My birthday is 23rd February"

"I’m a bit scared of the dark"

"My hobbies are reading, cooking and going to the theatre"

"My favourite author is Anthony Trollope"

"My most disliked food is beetroot"

"My favourite colour is aquamarine"

"My favourite food is scallops"