Jams & Marmalades
Traditional small-batch preserves such as strawberry jam, raspberry jam and orange marmalade, produced with clear records and consistent methods.
About the Author Carl brand
Small-batch food products, practical books, and traditional methods you can trust.
Author Carl began as a practical food and gardening book brand. Today it has grown into a UK food brand producing and selling jams, marmalades, spices, chutneys, preserves, gift baskets and books through local markets and online.
The books are still an important part of the business, but they now sit alongside the products. They explain the methods, recipes and knowledge behind much of what appears on the Author Carl stall.
No Fads. No Myths. Just Books You Can Trust.
What Author Carl is today
Find the stallAuthor Carl is now more than an author website. It is a practical food brand built around real products, traditional food skills, clear guidance and local market selling.
Spices & Curry Ingredients
Spices and blends connected to the Indian cooking side of the brand, supporting the same practical curry methods taught in the books.
Chutneys & Preserves
Preserved foods that sit naturally alongside jam, marmalade, pickling, Indian cooking and home preserving.
Gift Baskets
Food gifts combining products such as jams, marmalade and books, designed for birthdays, Father’s Day, Christmas and local market gifts.
Books & Guides
Practical books that explain the methods behind the products, from jam and marmalade to Indian curry, fermentation, pickling and growing food.
Markets & Events
The Author Carl stall brings the brand into the real world, where customers can see the products, ask questions and buy directly.
Why the products exist
The products are not random additions. They grow naturally from the same subjects covered in the Author Carl books and blog.
- Jam and marmalade connect directly with the Author Carl preserving and jam-making books.
- Spices and chutneys connect with the Indian cooking books and curry-house-style methods.
- Fermented and pickled products connect with the fermentation and preserving side of the brand.
- Gift baskets bring products and books together into useful, practical food gifts.
- Future products will continue to follow the same rule: they must fit the Author Carl food, preserving, curry or growing-food world.
This means the stall is not just a table of products. It is the physical version of the brand: practical food, traditional methods, clear explanations and useful books all working together.
Meet Carl Williams — Author Carl
I’m Carl Williams, the person behind Author Carl. I write practical books, make small-batch food products, and sell directly to customers through market stalls and events.
My approach is deliberately practical. I am interested in methods that work in real kitchens, with normal ingredients, realistic equipment and clear instructions. Whether I am writing a book, making a batch of jam or preparing spices for the stall, the same standards apply: be clear, be honest, keep records, and do the job properly.
Author Carl is built around food skills that people can understand and use: preserving, fermentation, Indian curry, chutneys, spices, jam making, marmalade, growing food and reducing waste.
The Author Carl principles
Get the free checklistThe original brand promise still matters. “No Fads. No Myths. Just Books You Can Trust.” is about more than books. It reflects the way the whole brand should behave.
1. Clear beats clever
Instructions, labels and explanations should be straightforward. No vague claims and no unnecessary complication.
2. Safety first
Preserving, fermentation and food production require care. Safety notes and good practice are part of the brand, not an afterthought.
3. Real-world methods
The focus is on what works in normal UK kitchens, gardens and market-stall conditions.
4. Products with purpose
Products should fit the Author Carl world: preserving, curry, spices, chutneys, fermentation, growing food and practical gifts.
5. Honest improvement
The range will grow carefully. New products should improve the stall and serve customers, not clutter the brand.
Markets, events and meeting customers
The market stall is now a central part of Author Carl. It gives customers a chance to see the products, ask questions, buy books, and understand how everything connects.
At the stall you may find jams, marmalades, spices, chutneys, books and seasonal gift ideas. The range will grow over time, but the aim stays the same: useful, trustworthy food products with a clear connection to the Author Carl brand.
Market dates and appearances are listed on the events page, including Ormskirk Market and any future local events.
Books, blog and learning resources
Books are no longer the only focus of Author Carl, but they remain one of the strongest parts of the brand. They give customers a way to understand the methods behind the products and try the same skills at home.
- The books provide full methods, practical explanations, measurements and troubleshooting.
- The blog answers common questions and explains problems clearly, such as why jam fails or why curry tastes flat.
- The email list gives practical updates, tips and free resources.
- Future courses will show some of these methods step by step on video.
Where the brand is heading
Author Carl is being built carefully, one product and one page at a time. The aim is not to become a vague general gift shop. The aim is to become a trusted food brand with a clear identity.
- More small-batch preserves Seasonal jams, marmalades, chutneys and related products that fit the preserving side of the brand.
- More spice and curry products Products connected to the Indian cooking books, curry methods and practical home-cooking guidance.
- Gift baskets and seasonal gifts Carefully assembled gifts that combine food products and books in a way that feels useful and personal.
- More market appearances A stronger local presence through markets, events and direct customer conversations.
Explore Author Carl
Visit the stall, browse the books, read the blog, or contact Author Carl about markets, products, media or general enquiries.