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. 

whats so funny about Asperger Syndrome

I have started to go into depth for my honours project and look at people’s personal accounts, who have Asperger Syndrome or anything else of the spectrum, and find out exactly how they act, how they feel, and even how they hear things. The world is extremely different from the eyes of a child or adult (But I’m aiming at children for my book range) as they don’t quite understand why they do things differently, or seem cold, arrogant or lazy. These are typical things that I have heard personally used against my brother. And other children who I know. It’s hard to break that cycle. From my dissertation I looked at mental health, now I’m looking at disorders around children’s health and there’s a stigma, it’s big and it is scary, and it seems that no one wants to give these people any sympathy. It isn’t half sad. BUT on a lighter note, it’s getting slightly better, there’s a lot more programs about it, more documentaries, and even things like the big bang theory, it has been suggested that Sheldon suffers from syndromes from the spectrum, which is getting talked about.. a hell of a lot actually. I want to also contribute to making it a little bit better.

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

 

Catherine Rayner

Cannot describe how much I enjoy looking through her illustrated books, they are delightful. She also sells cards and illustrations among her books. She has literally won so many awards that I wouldn’t be able to count on both hands. She is a living success of a illustrator and author.

Rubbish

Been up early, too early, and it wont let me get onto word online to carry on my dissertation. Brilliant. In the mean time, I have created another illustrated animal face. This time a lovely tiger. I will then carry on with my drawings for my illustrated children’s book and maybe play around with more colouring, and mediums. Exciting stuff.