Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live in Yorkshire, England, which is one of the most beautiful places in England, and have spent a great part of my life exploring it. As a result, I have now just published my 5th book about my travels and adventures across the north of England, often accompanied by my dysfunctional friends. We have hiked, camped, and been lost along the way, but at every stage, we have had fantastic adventure after fantastic adventure and created lifelong memories to treasure forever.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
A Walk on the Wild Side sees me walking a relatively short route through the beautiful dales and hills of the Yorkshire Wolds. I wanted to try something a bit more local, and I was very surprised at what I found. This land is more ancient than I could have ever imagined, and has a wealth of interesting stories to tell, every one better than the last.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am a solitary writer, as are most people I would imagine, but lately I have been writing at the same time as home-schooling my son Max, who is ten, and it has gone surprisingly well.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bill Bryson has been a big influence, as has Douglas Adams, who both appear to have a dry but incredibly funny sense of humour.
What are you working on now?
My tan.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Social media doesn’t work for me, so I tend to start with Awesome Gang and go from there. I am trying to build links to the local newspaper, who seem quite willing to help out.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be persistent. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything, ever.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be persistent. Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do anything, ever. Seriously, never give up.
What are you reading now?
I have just discovered a number of Indiana Jones books that I am slowly making my way through.
What’s next for you as a writer?
There are a couple of ideas rattling around in my head, but I think the next thing for me to do is to stop and take stock before I commit myself to any particular direction.
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 bring along Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, of course, because it is funny, as well as The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, just because it is such a long book and would keep me busy. I would probably need to read it more that once as well, in order to fully appreciate it.
Author Websites and Profiles
Paul Amess Website
Paul Amess Amazon Profile