It’s a welcome return to Linda’s Book Bag for P.A. Davies today as he provided a smashing guest post introducing one of his books, Letterbox, here earlier this year. A little bird (actually, the lovely Caroline Vincent at Bits About Books) tells me it is P.A. Davies’ birthday today as well as a book birthday for Paul’s thriller Absolution so I’m delighted to be sharing such an important day with him.

Staying in with P.A. Davies

Welcome back to Linda’s Book Bag, Paul. Thank you for agreeing to stay in with me and a very happy birthday.

No, thank you for inviting me in and for the birthday wishes. I’m honoured to be here.

Tell me, which of your books have you brought along to share this evening and why have you chosen it?

So, this evening, I have brought along an old friend – aka George: A Gentleman of the Road – mainly because not only is he my readers’ favourite but also, because his story is, in my mind, inspirational and a reason to believe in the power of hope. It’s also pretty funny in a laugh out loud way.

What can we expect from an evening in talking about George: A Gentleman of the Road?

Being part of an adventure that will immerse the reader and hopefully change their perception of homeless people. It did mine.

It seems like only yesterday that I met this incredulous character yet it has already been over 10 years since he first thrust his polystyrene cup under my nose. And the rest, as they say, is history!

George was a homeless man from Glasgow, living on the streets of Manchester but, he was a homeless man with a difference. His life story was- and still is – wholly mesmerising and it certainly opened my eyes and warmed my heart; as it has done for those who have read all about his journey.

Of the novel – that is based on George’s life – people have left some wonderful comments:

“A sensitive and heart warming story”

“Made me smile, laugh and cry”

“A beautifully crafted life tale”

“It is very rare you find a book where you feel you are in it yourself’

… to list but a few.

(What lovely responses to what sounds like a fascinating book about a very interesting man.)

I will always appreciate people leaving a review about my novels but I was over the moon with the positive feedback that George’s tale got. It certainly seems to have hit the mark with the reader … just as it did the author.

Another reason for bringing George along, is to let you all in on some great news.

In the first quarter of next year, his fantastic tale will be brought to life – well, technically, back to life – as filming begins, based on the book.

I can’t say too much about it (very secretive the filming industry you know?) but it’s being produced in Alabama in the U.S. with a pretty substantial budget behind it.

(Wow!)

I’m massively excited and extremely proud of the journey I am about to embark on but, you know what? Without the brilliant reviews and positive blogs created by the readers, George might not have gotten noticed. So, may I send a HUGE thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts. You’re amazing!

(This is fantastic news Paul. I had no idea we would be making such an announcement. Many, many congratulations.)

What else have you brought along and why?

I have brought this photograph along which is most relevant to the creation of George: A Gentleman of the Road.

(Oh – tell me more.)

The top segment of the photo shows the coffee shop where I first met George all those years ago, whilst the bottom segment is how it stands now.

It kind of saddens me that a part of history and my connection to George has gone but I also believe that it serves as a poignant reminder to us all that nothing lasts forever … except, perhaps, George’s story!

With your book, Paul, both the setting and George will live on – that’s part of the wonder of writing. Thank you so much for staying in with me to tell us all about George: A Gentleman of the Road. I think it sounds a lovely book and such an exciting time ahead.

Thank you all for listening.  Best wishes. Paul.

George: A Gentleman of the Road

An author and a homeless guy, what do they have in common? Not much, until eighty-year-old George reveals his fascinating and heartwarming life story …

It is said that you should never judge a book by its cover, yet the moment I laid eyes on George, that’s exactly what I did!

And as I watched the aged member of Manchester’s homeless fraternity, walking slowly along the street, hoping to collect enough spare change in his dirty and tattered polystyrene cup to fund his next meal, I couldn’t help but think to myself … How do I possibly avoid giving this scruffy looking man any of my hard earned cash?

But in an unexpected turn of events and a surreal series of meetings, the man I had quickly pre-judged, revealed his extraordinary life.

Funny, sad and heartwarmingly bizarre. This is George’s story.

George: A Gentleman of the Road is available for purchase here.

About P.A. Davies

P.A. Davies grew up in Manchester, UK, a place he has lived in and around all his life – he loves Manchester and is proud to be part of the multi-cultural, modern city that houses two Premiership football teams and is the birthplace of many a famous band, such as Oasis, the Stone Roses, Take That and Simply Red.

For most of his life, he dabbled with writing various pieces, from poems to short fictional stories just for fun. However, following advice from a good friend he decided to have a go at writing a novel. Thus, his first novel Letterbox was conceived, a fictional take on the infamous IRA bombing of Manchester in 1996. It took him over a year to complete but while doing so, he found it to be one of the most satisfying and interesting paths he had ever followed. It comes as no surprise that the writing bug now became firmly embedded within him.

P.A. Davies’ second book was published in May 2013, ‘George: A Gentleman of the Road’, a true story about one of Manchester’s homeless. His third novel, ‘The Good in Mister Philips’, is an erotic novel (arguably set to rival Fifty Shades…!) and his fourth, ‘Nobody Heard Me Cry’ (Dec. 2015) is again a fact-based tale, this time of Manchester’s darker side. The thriller ‘Absolution’ (Oct. 2017) is his fifth novel. Currently, P.A. Davies is writing his sixth novel, titled ‘I, Muslim.’

To label P.A. Davies’ writings would be difficult because his works diverse from thrillers to touching novels to true-to-life tales embedded in a captivating story for the author is an imaginative and versatile storyteller.

You can find out more by visiting P.A. Davies’ website, finding him on Facebook or Instagram and following him on Twitter @padavies_ and Goodreads.