WHO IS // MARK LEMON

Mark Lemon is the author of the increasingly popular Otis & Thea Lemon book series. A dad of two (Otis & Thea!) he penned his children's books while commuting to Cardiff where he worked as a Retail Operations Manager in a shopping centre. Fast-forward a few months and this #dadpreneur has launched Lemon Drop Books, self-published two successful books with a third on the way and taken the leap to authoring full time. We bloody love featuring the dads as well as the mums and this dad is definitely one to watch in 2016.

Mark is dad to Otis & Thea

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WHAT IS // LEMON DROP BOOKS?:

Lemon Drop Books is a self-publishers from Bristol founded and set-up by myself.

HOW DID // LEmon drop books COME TO BE?

 I was so impatient after sending out the Otis and Thea stories to a number of publishers, I decided to speed things along and release the books on my own self-publishing company, Lemon Drop Books because, well, why not?

BEST THING // ABOUT BEING lemon rop books?

I love the fact that I have complete autonomy with how my books are produced and look. I work with an amazing illustrator, Maia Walczak, who really compliments the stories with her beautiful artwork. I also get to work from home and do the school run and its lovely spending more time with the kids.

WHO WHAT // INSPIRES YOU?

Anyone who has the courage to do there own thing and truly believes in what they do.

DESCRIBE //

 YOUR FASHION STYLE: Urban dad. I wear too many trainers. Fact.

 YOUR PARENTING STYLE: I try and be organized, which occasionally fails miserably.

FAVOURITE //

BRANDS: All Saints, Nike, Penfield, Carhartt BEAUTY PRODUCT: I’m a Kiehls man! BOOK OR FILM: Sounds funny being an author and choosing film, but I love it when I find a great movie. WAY TO RELAX: Exercise always helps me focus and get rid of any extra energy, plus this is when I usually find my best book ideas. HOLIDAY DESTINATION: Jamaica has always been a second home for me, due to having lots of family links their since I was a child. My wife parents still live there for half of the year, great to still have links with the beautiful island.

THE LAST //

TEXT YOU SENT: “Love, Otis fell off his scooter on way to school without helmet, needed to change his trousers. He was okay. #alwaysondaddieswatch” THING YOU ATE: Chilli, bacon and onion omelette CALL YOU RECEIVED: My mum. THING YOU BOUGHT: Otis a treat after school: lolly and a packet of crisps!

WHAT // CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?

My family and my phone of course!

WHAT IS // THE BEST ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?

"Make the most of every day, and always keep looking forward."

PARENTING  //

FAIL: Allowing Otis on his scooter without a helmet!

 

FABULOUS: Writing my kids their very own children’s books.

GUILTY PLEASURE //

Curry, curry, curry.

INSTAGRAM: @lemon_drop_books TWITTER: @mjlemstar FACEBOOK: facebook.com/lemondropbooks www.lemondropbooks.co.uk 

IMAGE: EMILY GRAY PHOTOGRAPHY