Marcus Mason-Williams our AnnaKennedyonline First Steps Entrepeneur winner is going from strength to strength.
Marcus share’s his second new book launch which is happening today. Congratulations Marcus we are all very proud of you!
Marcus Mason-Williams, a Special Olympics GB alpine skier, is also an author and illustrator of children’s stories.
Through his selection as a SmallBizz100 enterprise and his connections with Small Business Britain and Lloyds Banking Group, who are promoting disabled-led small businesses, he was introduced to a fellow disabled business owner and book editor and publisher, Jen Parker of Fuzzy Flamingo.
Marcus wrote, illustrated and published his first children’s story, Zooland A Sign of Hope in December 2022. This was a story that showed that when you have passion, talent and a dream, anything is possible. It features Milo – a young zebra with a passion for football and adventure – and Velma – a young girl with talent and footballing ambitions of her own. When Milo unexpectedly acquires a football and teams up with Velma, together they overcome obstacles and opposition to help a struggling England Soccer Aid football team and to realise their dreams.
Thanks to the help of Special Olympics GB Marcus’s Zooland book was signed by Gareth Southgate (England football manager) and Steve Clarke (Scotland football manger) and Marcus is now in discussions with a number of football clubs about sharing the story with children supported by their charitable foundations.
In 2023 and early 2024 he was asked by a local Midlands author to illustrate a children’s story about a young rabbit and his adventures with his local farm animals. This is due to be published later this year.
He has now published his second (longer) children’s story. He again wrote the story and produced the digital illustrations. This time the story is about two autistic characters and their unusual friends: the lives of Richard Rosemary, the son of a farmer, and Maranda, the daughter of a king, are touched by Chester, a very special horse, and Wisdom, a magical whistle-breath dragon. Will the young heroes find a way to right the wrong of a dragon’s capture and prevent a war between the Kingdom of Bear and the Kingdom of Dragon? Discover how Richard and Maranda harness their amazing autistic strengths and overcome life’s challenges with character and courage. Magical powers, friendship and the realisation that autism is a strength, not a weakness, inspires our human and animal heroes to achieve the impossible. Get ready for a fantasy adventure!
In addition to the book Marcus has produced a short teaser trailer animation, using digital software, for the book, including music and special effects. This will be shared on social media and with a number of animation companies that are helping him. One day Marcus wants to produce an animated movie!
The Horse and the Dragon book is available on Amazon and distributed through Ingram Spark.
P.S. Marcus and Jen are members of the government-backed campaign called The Lilac Review, which highlights the value of disabled-led small businesses and the hurdles they face. This is being supported by Small Business Britain and Lloyds Banking Group.
