Meet Paul Smith

I'm delighted to introduce the multi-talented Paul Smith to you. 

Many Yorkshire writers (born or living here) are now familiar with Paul as one of the founder members, with Edwin Rydberg, of the Promoting Yorkshire Authors site. A fabulous tool for everyone - talks, workshops, meetings - but more of that another time.

Paul has achieved such a lot on his writing journey, that it's easier (for me!) to let him tell you the story.

Go ahead Paul...

I've written two novels and three travel guides in my own name, a six part fantasy series plus some prequels and a sequel under the pen name Joseph Murphy-James and two Yorkshire Sagas under the name Annie Eileen Rogers.

I have also provided proof-reading and editing for some successful novels including Hell Holes, The Khan, The Mission, Sistaz Revenge (loved this one), Above and Beyond, Operation Underpants (and this one), Claudia, The Frenchman's Daughters, The President's Legionnaire and Wolf 359.

I‘ve been a volunteer technology writer for the IET, a Professional Engineering Institution of which I am a Fellow; many of my articles appear in newsletters, blogs and on the Yorkshire IET You Tube channel as short videos. I'm also a freelance writer for an academic technology journal and an active member of the Harrogate Writers’ Circle and my work features in competitions run by it and other writers guilds. My short story 'Change' about homelessness was shortlisted for Story Tyne 2019.

Like many writers, I’ve done other things with my life to pay the mortgage and keep the wolves from the door. Ask me about them if you’re interested but they include testing roles like Senior Management in FTSE 50 companies plus a stint growing an SME and helping others to expand theirs. For the record, I’m keen on technology and know a great deal about it.

 I founded and now run the Wise Grey Owl book promotion site that has achieved over 2M book views. You’ll find my blogs on Tumblr, Instagram and Facebook, mostly to assist in the marketing and sales of my own and other authors’ books.   

What did I say?

Here are the links to Paul's books - enjoy!

The Shires of York Series http://www.shiresofyork.com

Four Seasons of Heythwaite https://www.wisegreyowl.co.uk?1_ad056522-77ae-42d4-75b9-50a60233ad09

A Question of Resistance https://www.wisegreyowl.co.uk?1_7f1a61a8-d97f-11d4-e12d-9ffc9708b7fa

Volunteering at the Huddersfield Literature Festival.

Over the last 10 days I have been volunteering at a few events at the Huddersfield Literature Festival.

I've had a fabulous time, made new friends, met some wonderful people and listened to inspiring speakers.
The festival kicked off with an excellent interview with Anne Cleeves and Cath Staincliffe, who could fail to be inspired by these amazing authors.


Johnny Ball spoke about the magic of numbers at the Huddersfield Library. He has an amazing talent to make this sound so easy and such fun. He spoke to a packed audience. The queue for his book signing was the longest I've ever seen.

Among other speakers I heard was the brilliant Stephen Wade, speaking about the history of crime and being a cold case detective.


Joanne Harris came to speak about her new novel 'The Strawberry Thief''. What an amazing author. She is involved in so many things including writing libretto for opera.

This year I really got involved in a variety of  events from speakers through to meeting Elmer the Patchwork Elephant who visited Read Bookshop in Holmfirth. The shop was mobbed! The children loved him.

There were some fabulous costumes at the Cosplay Ball.

I really was working during this time. We could be involved in setting up the furniture, selling books, helping people, serving teas and coffees.  There is a great crowd of volunteers each year. In fact they are so good we won an award!

So what is involved in volunteering I hear you ask.  It all starts around October when meetings are held to discuss the next festival. All contributions and ideas are talked about and Michelle Hodgson, the festival director, takes it all on board. We've had many excellent speakers, workshops, panels, poetry slams and much much more, all down to Michelle's creative  and far-ranging ideas.

After Christmas we have training workshops. These vary from customer service through to helping people with mixed abilities. I especially enjoyed the workshop on learning sign language. It was fascinating and very enjoyable. We work under the directions of  hard working Festival Manager Julia Lilof.

Here is a link to last year's Literary Afternoon Tea, where a number of us spoke about what it meant to volunteer. I wonder if you spot me?   Here

There is a huge amount that happens in the festival, which I haven't really mentioned- the poetry slams, writing and well being workshops, children's events, films and history talks. Next year I may broaden my horizon and volunteer for some of these.

If you're interested in volunteering at your local festival, go for it! If you'd like to join us at Huddersfield, visit the website.  https://www.huddlitfest.org.uk/  You won't regret it!

All photos courtesy of HLF.