Donald Paterson

I live in Fortrose in the Highlands of Scotland. As well as writing, I work as an inspector with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education.

In "Homecomings", I've written about people's tendency to drift through life, looking for the greener grass, hunting for a new life.

My own favourite writers are Bernard Malamud, Robin Jenkins, Ali Smith, Kurt Vonnegut ... all of whom have influenced my writing.

My first published book was "Homecomings", a historical novel which tells the story of Hugh, an emigrant from the North of Scotland trying to make his way in Canada and America in the middle of the 19th century.

On 21 July 2013, my novel "Flight" appeared on Kindle. This novel for young adults (or just adults, for that matter) deals with the coming of age of Alistair Dowland, a 15 year old living on the Black Isle in the Highlands. The novel deals with wildlife crime and poaching, focusing on the red kites that frequent this part of Scotland. Alistair finds himself drawn into a world of violence and deception following the arrival of a mysterious volunteer for the Scottish Trust for the Advocacy of Birdlife who seems to have a dangerous and hidden agenda.