Paul Murdoch

Paul Murdoch

Adventure, mystery and topical themes for children. Lifestyle tips for adults...

www.paulmurdoch.co.uk
Booking enquiry
Paul Murdoch - author tools

Available for

Workshop, Talk, Reading, Interview, Commission a book

Audiences

Age 3 to 5, Age 5 to 7, Age 7 to 11, Age 11 to 14, Age 14 to 16, Age 16 to 18+, Further Education, University, Adult

Genres

Adventure, Biography, Fable, Fantasy, Fiction, Folklore, Health, Historical fiction, History, Humour, Lifestyle, Magical realism, Mind, Mystery, Narrative, Non-Fiction, Picture book, Science, Science fiction, Self-help

Book types

Alphabet, Fiction for children, Fiction 8-13, Non-fiction for adults

Awards

  • Paul was nominated for the Grampian Children's Book Award 2011 for his eco-thriller: Windscape. The Flamingnet Award for best young adult writer 2009.

Organisations

Details

Paul Murdoch is an author who specialises in school and library visits. His book Sunny let’s kids talk about racism and bullying through an adventure story. His new book Old Bloke Goes Running takes a funny and sometimes irreverent look at trying to get fit in your fifties. 

Sunny - We’re happy seeing a novel being launched highlighting issues of racism in a way young people can relate to - Show Racism the Red Card 
Old Bloke Goes Running - as featured on BBC Radio Scotland - Lot's of good tips---things that are important which need to be right & things to avoid & save some money. Lots of fun & proving anybody can do it with motivation & taking it slowly to start with. Looking forward to the next in the series "Old Bloke Goes-------------?"  - Audible
Sunny would help children understand the very recent history of sectarianism, and will be ideal text for schools - Nil By Mouth
Old Bloke Ges Running - ‘You can jog while listening to this wee book which is a gentle introduction on how one man lost weight without expensive equipment. It's a tongue in cheek commentary and a lot of the things he describes is a common sense attitude to getting healthier, an enjoyable listen, and read’ - Amazon
Sunny is a fast-moving crime thriller for school pupils aimed at tackling Scotland’s sectarianism and racism - The Scotsman
Paul Murdoch has traveled the world performing workshops and presentations on writing and imagination. His latest novel Sunny deals with divisions in communities and has been compared to The Boy In The Striped Pajamas
- AYE WRITE FESTIVAL

Paul Murdoch’s 2016 stone circle video diary can be found at: https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/stonecircleproject/tag/stone-circles/

 Paul also went to Bali with Education Scotland in 2015. He worked there in 6 schools on a cross-cultural exchange.

His 2015 cross-cultural adventure to Indonesia can be found at:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/eslb/2016/04/04/paul-murdoch-author-assignment-to-bali/

The first three books in Paul Murdoch’s PECK CHRONICLES: Talisman, Citadel and Tyrant are published by Strident Publishing and can be found in all good bookshops or online. Signed copies of Paul’s books and much more about his talks and school visits can be found at: www.paulmurdoch.co.uk

Details about his new Tiffy Toffy picture books for younger children can be found here: coming-soon-2

Paul has worked with 100’s of schools all over the UK and Ireland. He has also performed school and library visits in Bali and Germany. 

The Author Sessions: Paul performs workshops or assembly-type, interactive presentations. Either with 20 -40 children in a classroom or 100-500 children in a hall, he explores their own creativity and ability to form stories using pictures, games and exercises. He also performs key-note speeches at prize giving's and often works on specific projects. 

Paul currently has a library presentation on nature and wellbeing. He has presented on climate change and has six other interactive workshop/presentations. The first three are designed to lead onto each other. They result in the class/group producing a fable, using their own characters, dialogue and settings. Click on the titles below for much more detail.

 

1. The 'Imagination Workshop (P4-S3)

2. The 'Window on Another World' Workshop (P4-S3)

3. The 'Fables are Fun' Workshop (P4-S3)

4. The Windswept and Interesting Workshop (P4-S3)

5. The Tiffy and Toffy Workshop (P1-P3)

6. The Sunny Workshop - (P6-S6)

Books by Paul Murdoch

My most recent book - The Magic Scales, is a fantasy adventure featuring an asthmatic boy, James peck. The book is ideal for 9-12 yrs - but see the review below “Although this book will probably be categorised as ‘Young Adult’ and end up in that section in many libraries I would recommend that many adults would enjoy the story, especially if they are ‘into’ fantasy. All the elements are there – adventure, magic, excitement, drama, together with that touch of humour so characteristic of this author, who has a fantastic imagination.” Glasgow Westend Magazine I have an engaging imagineering workshop for schools that features the creatures in The Magic Scales. My nature and well-being books look at the history and wildlife in an West Dunbartonshire through a series of walks. His talks on nature and well-being are very popular. I also wrote the children's eco-thriller Windscape, which was nominated for the Grampian Children’s Book Award.
978-1908898685

The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Summer Walks

Four summer walks that look at some of the nature, places and people that formed West Dunbartonshire. A fantastic addition for visitors and locals alike, you don't even have to be in West Dunbartonshire to appreciate this lovely book of nature and culture. It gives you a flavour of Scotland and a big helpful hint at its history that makes you want to go see for yourself. The walks are well mapped out and peppered with beautiful photographs of wildlife and landmarks in the area.  
978-1908898678
The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Autumn Walks

The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Autumn Walks

These four Autumn walks in West Dunbartonshire are a great compliment to the area and the people that formed it. As the leaves begin to fall and the colder weather comes in, nature rewards us with new things to see and experience. Paul Murdoch has logged another four mini expeditions that will enlighten tourists and locals in equal measure. Heritage and Nature are the focus on these wonderful walks.  
978-1908898692
The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Winter Walks

The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Winter Walks

A fantastic addition for visitors and locals alike, you don't even have to be in West Dunbartonshire to appreciate this lovely book of nature and culture. It gives you a flavour of Scotland and a big helpful hint at its history that makes you want to go see for yourself. The walks are well mapped out and peppered with beautiful photographs of wildlife and landmarks in the area. 'Four winter walks from which to choose. Well researched, beautifully illustrated, this book is an enjoyable and informative read. Even if you can't/don't 'do' the walks the book's easy style, with snippets of humour, is well worth a read.' - Mary Irvine, writer and reviewer 
978-1908898708
The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Spring Walks

The Nature of West Dunbartonshire - Four Spring Walks

You don't have to be in West Dunbartonshire to appreciate this lovely book of nature and culture. It gives you a flavour of Scotland and a big helpful hint at its history that makes you want to go see for yourself. The walks are well mapped out and peppered with beautiful photographs of wildlife and landmarks in the area. 'This book is a must! Paul has the ability to make you feel you are walking with him, seeing the things he sees that you would miss. I just could not put it down and read it cover to cover... Thanks Paul...your book is a joy' Rev Ian Miller 
‎978-1908898722
The Magic Scales

The Magic Scales

When James's father disappears up on the moor, the whole village, including James's mum, thinks David Peck has simply 'done a runner'. Unconvinced, James tries to retrace his father's steps and soon finds a weird footprint near the old circle of stones up on the moor. His mind runs riot and in his struggle to get back to the village, he has an asthma attack. He soon encounters a wizard called Mendel, banished to Scotland in the form of a goldfish. The wizard makes a pact with James that will take the boy and many of the villagers of Drumfintley on a quest to the doomed world of Denthan. Village rivalries and family tensions reach breaking point in a world where monsters compete to survive Denthan's inevitable destruction. Will James find his dad? Will the villagers escape Denthan in time? 
978-1908898890

Old Bloke Goes Running

An irreverent look at getting fit in your fifties. Lose weight while still having those treats. Run a bit... Have fun a bit.  
978-1908898326

The Egg Thief

Young Jenny MacLeod finds out about a plot to steel some very precious sea-eagle eggs. She tries to do the right thing but soon her world is torn apart. Can she save the eggs, her family and everyone she loves? 
978-1908898388

Windscape

A proposed wind farm on a lonely Scottish island starts a series of events that leads 10 year-old Jenny MacLeod on a dangerous adventure with her friend Pavel. Can she save her father's farm and everything she holds dear? 
978-1910829202

Sunny

Can Sunny Wilson solve the mystery of his unlikey survival? "A fast moving thriller"r - The Scotsman. 
978-1905537853

Talisman (The Peck Chronicles - Book 1)

A story of determination, courage and family. So fast-paced that your heart will pound long after you turn the final page... 
978-1910829042

Citadel (The Peck Chronicles - Book 2)

2nd book in The Peck Chronicles. First book is Talisman. Third book is Tyrant. The Hedra wizard Dendralon sees the impending destruction of Denthan as an opportunity to increase his power. James Peck is intent on stopping him. 
978-1910829066

Tyrant (The Peck Chronicles - Book 3)

Book 3 in The Peck Chronicles. Is preceded by Talisman and Citadel. The odds are stacked heavily against James Peck and the wizard-goldfish Mendel. One year on from their extraordinary Denthan adventure, the zany villagers of Drumfintley threatened. 
978-1910829158

The Red Monster (A Tiffy & Toffy Tale)

Excitement. Reading. Counting. Tiffy and Toffy are brother and sister mice. Every day is an adventure for them. What is that noise? Is it a big red monster? Tiffy and Toffy grab all that they have and run...straight into danger of another kind. Can t 
978-1910829134

The Lucky Pellet (A Tiffy & Toffy Tale)

Excitement. Reading. Counting. Tiffy and Toffy are brother and sister mice. Every day is an adventure for them. Winter is approaching and their cupboards are bare. Bertha Barn Owl lies between Tiffy and Toffy and the barn, where Tiffy and Toffy think 
978-1910829141

The Great Vole Rescue (A Tiffy & Toffy Tale)

Tiffy and Toffy are brother and sister mice. Every day is an adventure for them. Willie Weasel is up to no good. He has stolen all the baby voles. Can Tiffy & Toffy help Violet Vole rescue them? Tiffy & Toffy come up with a daring plan. Bobby Badger 
978-1910829127

Annie Adder's Gold (A Tiffy & Toffy Tale)

Excitement. Reading. Counting. Tiffy and Toffy are brother and sister mice. Every day is an adventure for them. Sammy Shrew has found gold! Annie Adder thinks it is hers though. And she wants it back. Tiffy and Toffy agree to help Sammy and they set 
978-1910829110

Squished Worm and Bramble Pie (A Tiffy Toffy Tale)

Excitement. Reading. Counting. Every day is an adventure for them. Tiffy is out in the field, looking for the brambles her brother needs so that he can make his special pie. But Tiffy and Toffy are not the 
978-1907354700

Eden Seed (Under pen name Damian Peck)

A young pharmaceutical executive unwittingly discovers one of the most powerful drugs of all time. Far from perfect, he is forced to face up to his failings and is soon drawn into a bloody battle between rival companies and an ancient religious sect 
978-1908898883
Old Bloke Goes Swimming

Old Bloke Goes Swimming

After Old Bloke went running and took a tumble he had to re-think his fitness and fun regime. This little book dives deep into the stuff and nonsense of swimming. If you have a go, have a laugh or even learn something...job done! Could I take the plunge and make a splash by finding a new way of burning the calories? Could I swim my way back to running and, ultimately, a more balanced lifestyle? 
978-1526206329

The Godfather of Rock (Ghost writer)

a behind the scenes look at his life in rock and radio. He uncovered some of the great rock bands to come out of Scotland and has interviewed and spent time with some of the absolute legends: Robert Plant, Ozzy, ACDC, Genesis, Judas Priest & ZZ Top 
978-1908898227

Habbie to Jeely-Eater (adapted by Paul Murdoch)

Ian Miller is one of the most well-kent faces in the West of Scotland. A man of the cloth. An entertainer. A man who welcomed all denominations, anytime. A man who has married, christened and buried the great the good and the lowly with equalgravitas 

Keywords

ADVENTURE ANIMALS ASTHMA BALI BULLYING CHILDREN'S BOOKS DISABILITY DRAGONS FACETIME FANTASY SERIES FUN HUMOUR IMAGINATION KIDS MAGIC MONSTERS MYSTERY RACISM SCOTLAND SERIES SKYPE YOUNG ADULT