As Boyce's popularity became established across Wales and the United Kingdom, he became involved in many side projects, including three books, several television series and televised concerts, and three multi-part television specials produced by Opix Films. His spoken and sung poetry was first collected in "Max Boyce: His Songs and Poems" in 1976, with an introduction by Barry John. The comic illustrations that accompany the poems were drawn by his friend Gren Jones of the "South Wales Echo" (who had also illustrated the cover of "We All Had Doctors' Papers"). This publication was followed up with a similar collection, "I Was There!", in 1980.