Tuesday 27th October 2026 turned out to be a rather special day for this Saundersfoot author!
When I arrived at the Regency Hall Craft Market with my boxes of books, a few posters and a healthy mixture of excitement and nerves, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.
I certainly wasn’t expecting quite the wonderful reception that followed!
The occasion was the official launch of James and the Forgotten Mine, the second adventure in my Saundersfoot Time Trilogy, and what a terrific day it turned out to be.
Not only did the new book attract plenty of interest, but visitors were also keen to discover my other children’s adventures: James and the Saundersfoot Time Tunnel, The Boathouse Gang and How Saundersfoot Saved Christmas.
By the end of the day, an astonishing 27 books had found new homes!
For someone who started writing children’s stories simply because he loved the idea of bringing Saundersfoot’s fascinating history to life for younger readers, that was an incredibly rewarding moment.
But the real highlight wasn’t just the number of books sold. It was the people.
Throughout the day, I had some absolutely lovely conversations with visitors about Saundersfoot, its rich industrial and maritime heritage, and the inspiration behind my stories. There was genuine enthusiasm for the idea of introducing children to the village’s past through adventure, mystery and a little imagination.
One particularly memorable moment came when a lady arrived with her grandchildren, who were wonderfully excited about meeting a real author! They had even prepared questions to ask me about my writing. We had a delightful chat, and they finished by asking if they could have their photographs taken with me.
I don’t think they realised quite how much that meant to me.
There is something rather magical about seeing children excited by books, especially when those books feature places they recognise and a village they know.
When I first began writing these adventures, I hoped that perhaps a few children might enjoy them. I never imagined that I would one day be sitting behind a table at the Regency Hall, signing copies, answering questions and watching families walk away with my stories tucked under their arms.
And to think that all this began with a little inspiration from the old coal trucks in Saundersfoot!
Of course, none of this would have happened without the tremendous encouragement I’ve received from local people, friends, readers and the businesses who have supported my books.
To everyone who stopped for a chat, bought a book, offered encouragement or simply wished me well, a heartfelt THANK YOU.
You’ve helped turn a quiet little writing ambition into something far more exciting than I ever imagined.
And the best part?
There are still plenty of stories waiting to be told!
James has another adventure ahead of him, Saundersfoot has centuries of fascinating history to explore, and my imagination shows absolutely no sign of slowing down.
Thank you, Saundersfoot. What a wonderful day!
David Baxter
Coastal Crimes & Stories
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