Philip Paris

I have worked as a magazine journalist and editor, but in more recent years I have focused on writing historical and contemporary fiction and non-fiction, in a mixture of traditionally and self-published books. My best known titles are about Orkney's Italian chapel, the historical fiction The Italian Chapel, and the non-fiction Orkney's Italian Chapel: The True Story of an Icon.

However, my work is varied, ranging from Men Cry Alone, a contemporary novel about domestic abuse against men that has just won the Scottish Association of Writers' Barbara Hammond trophy for best self-published work, to Casting Off, a humorous look at residents in a Highland care home, recently translated into German and Norwegian. My latest novel, Effie's War, is based on real World War II events in the Highlands during 1943. I also write drama for radio and stage. Indeed, Casting Off is based on a stage play of the same name that toured in the Highlands during 2015.

I am happy to give talks and readings based around my various books and drama and the research I have carried out, as well as speaking about my experiences of being a Highland-based writer. (Photo credit: Robert Taylor)