Paul Amess

Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Paul and I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world – the north of England. I have so far written four books about my wanderings around my beautiful home county of Yorkshire, and am already onto my fifth!

What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Hadrians Wall Walk, and was of course inspired by a bloke called Hadrian who built a massive wall across my country a couple of thousand years ago! And thank goodness he did, because this is now one of the most beautiful walks across our merry land!

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, although I do sometimes use dictation software which can result in some unusual results, which is probably down to my ‘Hull’ accent – which is quite a distinct English accent different to all others, and which I am very proud of.

What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read a lot of Douglas Adams when I was younger, and I think I have definitely developed a dry sense of humour purely because of this. Other than this, I read almost anything, and have a very wide tase in books.

What are you working on now?
Lockdown has made it challenging to get out, and that is something that is kind of essential if you wish to write about travel or walking, so I have turned my attention to a national trail that is on my own doorstep – The Wolds Way.

What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Well, it has to be the Awesome Gang, doesn’t it?

Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persevere, in the face of every difficulty you may encounter, never give up, ever. Have faith in yourself and never give in. I cannot be more clear than that.

What is the best advice you have ever heard?
See the previous answer. In the past, I had perhaps started to write, then life got in the way. I wish I had carried on with my own advice long before I actually did. If I had, I would be sat by a pool somewhere drinking a trquila, not freezing my **** off writing this in the frozen north.

What are you reading now?
I am currently enjoying some incredibly fun Indiana Jones stories written by the great Max McCoy.

What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to turn to some kind of fiction, possibly time travel related. I have a few ideas bouncing around in my head and they are slowly coming together. Watch this space.

If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would definitely take something by Bill Bryson, probaby The body. It is full of interesting facts about us, and there is no way I could possibly remember them all. I imagine that every time I read it, I would learn, or re-learn, something new.
I would also take the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, as it is such a fun book. It is a long time since I read it, and never seem to find the time to read it now, though if I truly was on a desert island, i imagine this would not be a problem.
I think the last one would have to be Andrew Marr’s History of Modern Britain, because it is just so interesting.

Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Amess Website
Paul Amess Amazon Profile