Paul D. E. Mitchell

Paul D.E. Mitchell (b1956) has enjoyed a varied career in chemistry, computing, teaching, lecturing, music (as a bassist in numerous bands), and served as a senior Cardiff councillor for 10 years.

First as a single-father and then as a carer for elderly relatives, he retired from the private sector and politics to concentrate on poetry and bringing to life a complex near-future sci-fi/paranormal series of nine books called the Nexus.

The Nexus draws on myth, science, fantasy, the paranormal and theology in equal measure (plus a dash of Wiccan ancestry) to explore some interesting concepts about sentience and the reason for existence - also told from the point of view of ordinary people in a small town who find themselves at the centre of extraordinary events and interacting with the main characters.

He has also published a guitar guide and his latest anthology of poems - the Long Grin - and has just completed the sixth in the Nexus series, Shrines. Before the final trilogy is written, three stand-alone novels are in progress: Mute, Light-Father and Ghost Army, the latter based on his experience as a domiciliary carer. Light-Father - which is aimed at 12-18 year olds - was published in February 2012.

He has also edited and published 'Living With Siamese Cats' by Jenny Bass and 'Sacred Welsh Waters' by Chris Thomas and is advising three other authors. He is also writing songs and playing double-bass with the Goodfellas in Cardiff! He is also standing for Cardiff council in the May 2012 elections, a school governor and chair of a welfare advice charity. A busy life!