Eight years ago, Richie Evans and I started a little company with a simple idea: to create a production platform for my writing—somewhere we could illustrate and design children’s books based on the stories I’d written. Very quickly, that tiny idea grew. We began helping other writers bring their children’s books to life, and before long, the whole thing snowballed. What started as a passion project became something much bigger. Bear With Us Productions is now a trusted global brand, helping writers become published children’s authors, earning award-winning recognition, and maintaining an excellent Trustpilot rating. We’ve built a team of more than 50 artists, designers, and project managers from all over the world. To say I’m proud is an understatement. But as many of you know, my health hasn’t been great this year, and the strain of running a company has been taking its toll. So today, Bear With Us Productions was sold to a wonderful businessperson involved in several children’s entertainment and educational companies. I’m confident the company is in very good hands. After eight years, I can finally put my feet up a bit and refocus on my own writing, my children’s books, and my personal author journey. In fact, I’ve got three school visits this week—and I’m absolutely bricking it. Pitching stories to a room full of ten-year-olds… they’re the toughest critics of all. Here’s to Bear With Us Productions and its new owner. A new chapter begins.

26th Nov 2025 and 6 pm UK Time - Have you ever wondered why some authors seem to shine online—getting school visit invites, podcast features, and loyal reader followings—while others struggle to be seen? In collaboration with Bear With Us Productions, this 1-hour Marketing + Author Branding Workshop hosted by Magic Moon Publishing will show you how to develop your personal author brand beyond the pages of your book, so your name becomes as memorable as your stories. You’ll discover: - How to define your author identity – find your authentic message and voice that connects with your audience - Building visibility through social media – practical tips for creating engaging posts that attract readers, educators, and retailers - Leveraging podcasts, interviews, and events – turn appearances into meaningful exposure that sells books - School visits and author talks – why your presence in classrooms can drive both literacy engagement and long-term sales - Marketing the author to market the book – learn why growing you is one of the smartest strategies for sustained success We’ll also share examples from successful children’s authors who have built strong, lasting brands that continue to grow their readership—long after launch day. Attendees will also have the chance to book a free 1:1 session with the Commissioning Editor of Magic Moon Publishing for tailored author branding and marketing advice specific to their work. This is your chance to go beyond the book—to craft your author identity, reach new readers, and create a lasting impact in the world of children’s publishing. https://www.skool.com/bwup-childrens-book-community-4707/calendar?eid=779ecc3038f54a49b4b274756548ac44

Just had some amazing news. The first batch of copies of my children’s book ‘The Monsters’ Brawl have sold out!! More being stocked as we speak. It’s pretty overwhelming to be fair. Massive thanks to @Florence Hannath and the team for loving the book and getting it out there. Dream come true. ❤️

It takes time for a manuscript to mature and I feel I have learnt this not so much the hard way but certainly the long way ! A book’s real magic often happens after the big rewrites and for that reason I will always stick to my new rule ! Resist from sending my very first draft to the best friend to read ! It will no doubt be littered with flaws, ramblings of my idea and a thousand unnecessary filler words within sentences . When I scribbled the first draft and stupidly did the above , I was dealt enough honest negativity to give up on the idea of ever writing a children’s chapter book . I’m glad I didn’t (although I completely agreed with my bestie and felt guilty and quite useless that I had even thought it was ready to read). I’m sharing this, as today I have finally finished another edit and hopefully my last, of this manuscript and I have rewritten huge chunks more times than I wish to admit ! I honestly thought I had finished it to the best of my ability weeks ago . However I have spent the last three nights burning the candle while the world sleeps spotting and removing filler words, using stronger verbs to reinforce the sentences and igniting even more magic into my story. I hadn’t read my manuscript for some time and doing so with fresh eyes enabled me to see everything that was wrong with it and enjoy putting it right. It has taken input from a great team to get FLEA & The Sapphire Spell as shiny as I now believe it can be. If I am qualified to give any advice on manuscripts it would be this …….. I have learnt you cannot rush a story, it takes time to evolve and mature and maybe I have also done that alongside FLEA as a potential writer? Who knows ?

I’ve been recently writing the fourth story for siblings, Charlie and Susan. (The Shadows of Brynmoor Cottage) and I’ve written myself into a corner a few times on this one. Trying to maintain the flow and keep the dots joined from the first three stories is getting me into a fluster. lol. Anyone else experience this and how do you overcome it?