Birchwood Artisan Market!
Furious Frank’s Appearance at Birchwood Shopping Centre’s Artisan Markets!
Where Else To Start…
The best place to start an online blog about my writing & illustrating would be exactly where I am now.
Furious Frank (& How He Copes) was published on the 1st March 2025. As a self-published book by an independent author, it was without much fan-fare and hype and just quietly entered the fray, and my role turned from writer and illustrator to marketing and advertising.
As someone who is autistic, this is extremely distant from my ‘comfort zone’ and proves difficult. Alas! I would like to be a successful author & illustrator, and I honestly believe that Furious Frank’s story is full of methods that are useful for any child who is anywhere on the Autism Spectrum, or living with ADHD, or are even just going through the normal states of growing up and finding themselves experiencing brand new emotions that they haven’t quite figured out how to regulate and manage just yet.
As such, it became my aim to get the book out there.
In terms of the Artisan Market at Birchwood Shopping Centre.. When it began my aim was to see if the Centre were willing to put up a poster with a QR code link to the book. So, naturally, I went for an appropriately worded email.
The reply came a couple of days later, explaining that they didn’t offer advertising within the store, but there were other ways they could assist me as an independent and local author, who is offering a book that is supporting the mental health of children and young persons. He offered to put me in a social media post, and offered me a stall at the Artisan Markets in April!
I gratefully took him up on this offer - and that’s how I found myself standing behind a table adorned with Furious Frank’s branding, in the middle of a shopping centre, selling my books and some associated toys and gifts!
Despite feeling incredibly uncomfortable, the public of Birchwood were extremely supportive, with several complimenting the fact that I was even stood there ready to speak to people. Most importantly, was the support of my partner; Carly. She was there right until the very end, and played an integral part in the service and was a fantastic help.
All in all, the Markets were a fantastic success for me, both as a personal goal, and in terms of book sales! Furious Frank is now sitting in quite a few homes in the Birchwood area, hopefully helping their children as much as I intended!
But now I’m tired, my brain is exhausted, and I’ve spent much of the following days isolating myself to try and recharge my batteries.
Whew. What a week!
Dave.