A man living below the poverty line, helping others as a volunteer with the Samaritans, who self-published a book after literary agents showed no interest in his earlier work has had his book snapped up in a six-figure deal by publishers in 20 countries so far. James Norbury, a 44-year-old self-taught artist and writer, who lives in Swansea, has had his life turned around after his collection of drawings of two unlikely friends – a panda and a dragon – captioned with life-enhancing proverbs, was picked up in the deal, an extraordinary achievement for a debut author. He told the Guardian: “It’s completely unreal.” But he is more excited by the impact that his drawings have in lifting moods. Volunteering with the Samaritans until recently, he found inspiration in the lives of callers, creating drawings and proverbs that have actually transformed lives. “I get a lot of emails and messages telling me how much they have helped. Some people have even said they didn’t take their own lives because the pictures had given them new ways to look at things. If that can happen as a result of my drawings, that’s all that matters.” Big Panda and Tiny Dragon will be published in the UK by Penguin Michael Joseph on 16 September. It features two friends, who often find themselves lost, but discover beautiful sights that they never would have found if they had gone the right way. Together, they overcome life’s obstacles. While the drawings have the charm of Winnie-the-Pooh, the captions have the depth of ancient proverbs: “‘What if I meet people who don’t like me or the things I do?’ asked Tiny Dragon. ‘You must walk your own path,’ said Big Panda. ‘Better to lose them than lose yourself.’” Norbury has lived off odd jobs, including painting walls and putting up fences. His first love was animals and he studied zoology at Swansea University, wanting to become a park ranger, but finding a job proved impossible. His next dream was to make money from writing books to start an animal sanctuary, but that too proved impossible, and every endeavour “came to zilch”. For almost two years, he spoke to callers to the Samaritans about everything from their depression to thoughts of suicide. “That’s one of the reasons I started doing the drawings. That’s perhaps why my pictures connect with people. I understand sadness.” He posted drawings on Instagram and had three followers. “I thought it’s another thing I’ve attempted that no one’s interested in.” But he was soon inundated with requests for calendars and postcards featuring his drawings. There was so much interest that he self-published his book and soon there were so many orders that he could barely cope. He emailed two literary agencies, and Ludo Cinelli of Eve White in London responded, putting together a proposal for publishers, sparking extensive interest. Dan Bunyard, Michael Joseph’s nonfiction publishing director, said that he “was instantly keen” and that the book’s “messages about self-belief, self-value, individual freedom and social connection” immediately chime with people. Norbury said: “As soon as my advances come through, I will look to get a house with some land so I can start a sanctuary.”