12 Titles and Counting

Paul’s journey into publishing is a testament to creativity, perseverance, and adaptability. With a background as a writer for advertising and television, including well-known BBC sitcoms such as May to December and My Hero, he initially ventured into books as a means to develop a screenplay. However, what started as a single novel quickly evolved into a passion for storytelling in written form.

Despite challenges in securing an agent later in his career, Paul found success with The Book Guild, where he has now published twelve titles. His books, spanning both adult and children’s fiction, have earned critical acclaim and even attracted Hollywood interest. Throughout his journey, Paul has embraced the evolving landscape of publishing, balancing creative ambitions with the realities of marketing and publicity.

This case study delves into the key moments, challenges, and milestones of Paul’s publishing career, offering valuable insights for aspiring authors looking to carve their own path in the literary world.

What inspired you to begin your publishing journey in the first place?

I’ve been a writer all my working life. First as an advertising copywriter (remember the Think Before You Drink Before You Drive campaigns?) then as the creator and scriptwriter of some very long-running BBC sitcoms (May to December, So Haunt Me, My Hero..). It was, however, when I created a campaign for Heinz Spaghetti featuring a little girl with an imaginary friend called Eric that I first decided to try writing a children’s movie. It was about a boy who lost his imaginary friend and was very well-received. But a producer friend said ‘find me a kid’s movie that isn’t based on a book – unless it’s from Pixar’. So I wrote the novel (Losing Arthur) and discovered to my surprise I absolutely loved writing books. For kids and for grown-ups. (There’s still interest in the movie, despite the recent ‘IF’.)

What made you decide to publish multiple titles with The Book Guild?

I’ll be honest. What I really wanted was an agent (I’ve always had one for my scripts.) But when you’re a bloke who doesn’t start writing books until he’s an OAP, agents don’t exactly beat a path to your door. (Even when you’re a BAFTA-nominee with your work regularly shown in the US and over 70 countries.) So I looked around for the best self-publisher. However, and I think this was possible because of my track record, Troubador wisely steered me to their more traditional publishing arm, The Book Guild. 12 books later I’m still there. 

What specific benefits or advantages have you found in publishing with The Book Guild compared to other options?

Beyond what I already mentioned, I have also discovered that they have consummate taste and integrity – there is rigorous and reassuring quality control here. The Book Guild has to really rate your submission before they will publish it. I checked them out carefully and bought some novels by their other writers, which I greatly admired. For their content but also for their presentation. The Book Guild definitely seemed the best of the bunch.

What challenges have you faced during your publishing journey? How have you overcome them?

The first challenge was of course ‘can I even write a book?  Once that was decided and I discovered The Book Guild, publishing became a total pleasure. Then, when the first novel to be published (which was in fact an adult legal comedy-drama ‘In the Matter of Isabel’) garnered such a positive response, it was ‘can I write another one? So really a writer challenges themselves each time they gaze at that blank sheet or screen. 

How do you best reach your audience and achieve your goals as an author?

I’m not the best one to ask about publicity. I know for many writers it’s almost a full-time job. I do use social media (Facebook, X, Linked-in) and when we had a local bookshop I did readings there. I’ve also visited schools for my middle-grade kid's books. (My fourth is out in June and the fifth is slowly brewing). Perhaps I should find a good publicist as my skills are limited. When I write for TV I’m spoilt as the companies do it all for me.

Obviously, my authorial goals are to attract readers but they’re also to challenge myself to come up with something different yet equally entertaining each time. 

Have there been any standout moments or milestones in your publishing journey that you’d like to share?

I script all of my books and via Linked In I met a major Hollywood producer who read my first novel and optioned it and my script within a week of publication. We had a great director signed up, along with some A-list stars (including Richard E Grant) but then, as these things often do, it all fell apart. I’m afraid that’s the way of the film and TV world. You have to be very sanguine and just move on. My comic novel Must Have GSOH was the only UK finalist in the prestigious Screencraft Cinematic Book Contest 2023 in LA. The book and my script were optioned by the people who made the lovely UK movie Fishermen’s Friends, so fingers crossed. 

Yet the most stand-out moments have always been when readers tell me they couldn’t put down one of my books (or laugh themselves silly reading it.)

How has being a published author impacted your life, career, or personal growth?

I never saw myself as an author because I’ve always been interested in the more visual media. Then I realised that books are probably the most visual of them all. An author is creating pictures that are individual to each reader and I totally love that aspect of it. (The plays and adaptations I wrote for BBC Radio 4 held a similar attraction) People have told me that when they read my books they can ‘see’ them – which is probably thanks to my background and training. And I have to say the respect and satisfaction I’ve experienced as a published author outshines that of all my other creative endeavours (even if it doesn’t surpass the income!) 

My books have also afforded me an easier entrée for my scripts (film companies love Intellectual Property). Yet perhaps more than anything writing books has furnished me with a purpose and some meaning as I grow older, as I have no intention nor desire to retire.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are considering publishing, either with The Book Guild or elsewhere?

The best advice I was ever given was from the late great TV director Sydney Lotterby, who helmed such classics as Porridge, Yes Minister, As Time Goes By etc. He was directing May to December for me and he said ‘Paul, don’t get it right, get it written!’  He meant don’t wait an eternity for perfection before you even set it down on paper. Just splurge on what’s in your head and, more importantly, in your heart. You can craft and finesse it later. The advice I give others, because it’s what I have always given myself, is ‘rejection is part of the process’. If you believe in something, don’t give up. There’ll be someone out there who’ll believe in it too. (Unless of course it’s total rubbish – I’m which case don’t give up your day job!)

What is next for you? Do you have any more writing ambitions in the future?

What’s next for me writing-wise is the third and final volume of the Henry Jaffa Trilogy. Henry began his literary life (2024) in Henry the Half-Time Hero, as the only son of a genuine superhero and his terrific but far from super-powered wife. Henry has powers but unfortunately, they’re only spasmodic and he never knows quite when they’ll come on or for how long. In Book Two he meets similar teenage ‘hybrids’ and they form The League of Not Really Very Super Heroes (June 2025). In book three I think they will be called on to save the world. (I’m also thinking it would make a terrific TV series. After all, my series My Hero with Ardal O’Hanlon ran for six heroic years!)

Tell us more about your latest title.

My new book The Makings of Emily Jensen (January 2025), is a collection of shorter fiction, comprising three novellas and a couple of short stories. They’re all intrinsically comic but the tone varies from emotionally wry to off-beat ghostly to frankly murderous. This is my third book of short fiction and it’s a genre I’m growing increasingly to love. I hope you will too.