About the author

Paul Gitsham started his career as a biologist, working in such exotic locales as Manchester and Toronto.

After stints as the world's most over-qualified receptionist and a spell making sure that international terrorists and other ne'er do wells hadn't opened a Junior Savings Account at a major UK bank (a job even less exciting than being a receptionist) he retrained as a Science Teacher.

He now spends his time passing on his bad habits and sloppy lab-skills to the next generation of enquiring minds.

Paul has always wanted to be a writer and his final report on leaving primary school predicted he'd be the next Roald Dahl! For the sake of balance it should be pointed out that it also said "he'll never get anywhere in life if his handwriting doesn't improve".

Twenty five years later and his handwriting is worse than ever but millions of children around the world love him.*

You can learn more about Paul's Writing at www.paulgitsham.com or www.facebook.com/dcijones. His books can also be found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00IQAFX0I/allbooks.

*This is a lie, just ask any of the pupils he has taught

Lesson Summary

The conversation centred around Paul's career, the writing process, and the publishing industry, and covered various insightful aspects:

• The discussion delved into culture, migration, and the history of Coventry.
• Creating fictional settings and the editing process were highlighted, emphasising feedback's importance from editors and beta readers.
• Considerations such as book length, formatting choices impacting costs, and environmental sustainability in publishing were explored.
• Insights on font choices, licensing, book series with nine paperbacks and four e-books, and availability in audio format were shared.
• Details on book covers, the process of selection, and the author's involvement in the decision-making were mentioned.
• Writing process insights included using real-life inspiration, discussion on standalone books versus series, and character development.
• Paul's background as a biologist, transition into writing, and plans for a new series set in Coventry were elaborated upon.
• Formatting books using Atticus software, marketing strategies, and connection with main character, DCI Warren Jones, were part of the dialogue.
• Openness to revisiting characters in future stories, writing process insights, and influences were also discussed.
• Themes like writing style, genres, challenges for mid-list authors, and the significance of acknowledging collaboration, including ghostwriting, were addressed.