Book Updates

All my books are now live on Amazon which I am really pleased about. Been blew away by all the support on social media on Facebook and Instagram. I recently recreated my Bearpress page on facebook again and within a week I have near 200 followers which I’m trilled with. I am not interested in trying to get a huge following in a short amount of time as I want people who following my and my publishing journey to be actually interested. I have noticed on Instagram many people only follow you to get a follow back which I find quite annoying. But thats probably the only downside to IG, its very shallow. Other than that I am over the moon with getting everything online and available for purchase as a softcover and eBook.

Also so pleased to announce that my books will soon be getting sold in a Independent book store called Write Blend in Waterloo. This is probably one of my most exciting achievements. Cant wait to finally get them in and get photos of them on the shelves! 😀

Links to my books:

So Your Child Has Autism…: https://www.amazon.co.uk/So-your-child-has-autism/dp/B089M1FGGB/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

All About Ben: https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-About-Ben-Alexandra-Parry/dp/B089M2H7MT/ref=pd_sbs_14_1/262-8288799-7646858?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B089M2H7MT&pd_rd_r=9cf3ff39-4d71-49b2-87b8-9024433a7315&pd_rd_w=z5WC8&pd_rd_wg=Y0J0j&pf_rd_p=2773aa8e-42c5-4dbe-bda8-5cdf226aa078&pf_rd_r=NMXFJDPH294M4XQ1VFCY&psc=1&refRID=NMXFJDPH294M4XQ1VFCY

The Lost Little Bear: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lost-Little-Bear-Alexandra-Parry/dp/B08BDXM327/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Sent off

Never been so relieved in my whole life. I have sent off both books, All About Ben, and So your child has autism. I have also made them ready to be sold and distributed, physically and digitally. Go onto blurb and type in Alexandra Parry and my profile with my published books. I had to set up a Paypal account to make it possible or I would have to wait for checks in the post and well, no one really has time for that. I just now need to focus on my brand guideline booklet, which is practically done, just need to add  few finishing touches. I also need to start print outs into my portfolio, which reminds me! I need to buy a new portfolio! Ahhh. I’ll get it sorted. 

Daily update

Today I basically tired up lose ends and finished off (I think) my branding book for Bear Press. I would be so happy if it was finished, I got Andy to proof read over it to check for spellings. This was helpful as I then could sort a few things out. I also added proper guides and margins and put 3 columns in place on all my pages. I wanted to add balance and continuity, which I think I have successful achieved. I have done this by making sure my copy boxes are either centre aligned on the first or last column which you can see clearly across the pages. Next I went through the adult aimed autism book and corrected all the spelling mistakes which Adam and Andy told me to change, I have followed all the advice given on the pages. Last thing I need to do is complete some extra stuff I put in my sketchbooks today, bit of writing then hopefully let Shirley have a read of them and see what she thinks and if they are print ready. Which I think they are, or will definitely be tomorrow! Quite happy with my work pace at the moment it will be a relief of my shoulders if I got them sent off tomorrow! 

ADD

For my final end of year project, I want to create something that can contribute towards something. (if that makes sense) I did want to just illustrate books, but, what kind of books. My current project I am working on about the albino bear has made me realise what my target audience should be, children suffering and living with autism, ADD, ADHD, and general issues including self-esteem and times of confusion and loneliness. The books could even be divided, it could include tips and activities to help parents and give them slight advice. From first-hand experience, my little brother suffers from a number of issues including, Aspergers a form of autism, ADD, ADHD, dyspraxia, and dyslexia, and there’s a few more but you get my point. It took my mum years before he properly got diagnosed and it was extremely stressful, as neither of us knew how to deal with his emotions, the mood swings ben, the unmotivated spaced out ben, the hyperactive ben. And there’s a terrible stigma with ADHD and autism as people, in this bloody day and age still don’t think it is real. You hear the old ‘well back in my day that was just being naughty’ or ‘they like to label things now’. It’s so wrong how uneducated people are! Its the exact same with mental illness, if any part of the body gets sick or doesn’t work properly, you get sympathy except for if you have problems with your brain. like I said its so wrong.

Maybe I should  create a write-up book, not for children but for adults! To educate and to learn them properly how to help children who are suffering and not punish them. It can be difficult, I know Ben, my brother, is a right pain in the bum sometimes. But I also know he doesn’t mean it, he isn’t purposely trying to be ‘soft’ or unhelpful, he’s just Ben.

Here is some websites that I found to be quite useful, my next step is to research areas about ADD and ADHD and what are the main issues children deal with.  This can then give me insights to the difficulties to everyday life that maybe other children wouldn’t suffer with. I could then illustrate a story that connects with the child, gives them a sense of companionship maybe or connection to the character, give them the feeling that they are not alone.

http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/7829.html

ADHD in Children