Advertisement
Books

Soho Big Issue seller André is on a mission to publish his novel – here's how you can get involved

The London vendor said: “This book turns an acid eye on homelessness, street life, and society’s decidedly mixed reaction.”

Big Issue seller André Rostant Photo: Dale Brodie

André Rostant training for the London Marathon. He now wants to publish a novel. Photo: Dale Brodie

Meet André Rostant. He’s a Big Issue seller and previous London marathon runner, who’s close to publishing a “social commentary novel”.

Rostant can usually be found at his pitch on Carnaby Street in central London selling magazines to the public. But he’s also just finished a book called The Muffin Man.

It is a story that plunges the reader into London’s bohemian Soho, seen from the viewpoint of people who live and work on the streets.

He says it “turns an acid eye on homelessness, street life, and society’s decidedly mixed reaction… You will never look at a bag lady, street beggar or Big Issue seller in the same way again.”

As well as writing the book, Rostant has also launched a crowdfunding campaign to support the book’s publication. He needs £2000, and, at the time of writing, has achieved over half of that.

He told The Big Issue, “So far so good, but I don’t want to lose momentum. I am really excited about the book and grateful that people are getting behind it.”

Anything raised above the target £2000 will be split 50/50 between promoting the novella, and a donation to the Big Issue Foundation.

The Muffin Man will be published by Arkbound, and you can support it through Crowdbound.

Subscribe to your local Big Issue vendor

If you can’t get to a Big Issue vendor every week, subscribing online is the best way to support vendors to earn a legitimate income and work their way out of poverty.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Top 5 books on wood, trees and forests, chosen by woodworker and writer Callum Robinson
Books

Top 5 books on wood, trees and forests, chosen by woodworker and writer Callum Robinson

Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville review – a vampire story like no other
Books

Blood Like Mine by Stuart Neville review – a vampire story like no other

Extremophile by Ian Green review – an anarchic and grimy power all of its own
Books

Extremophile by Ian Green review – an anarchic and grimy power all of its own

How letters from a 15th-century housewife unlock secrets of a forgotten England
Books

How letters from a 15th-century housewife unlock secrets of a forgotten England

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know