I’m Paul J. Scribbans, a Cumbrian author based in Barrow-in-Furness, writing historical mystery and speculative fiction rooted in the landscapes and folklore of Cumbria. My work focuses on the psychological dynamics of human interaction, particularly trust, manipulation, and consequence.
My debut novel, The Mereland Chronicles: The Crier, grew out of years spent walking, researching, and exploring the Furness Peninsula and the wider Lake District. Places such as the shores of Windermere are central to the story, where history, superstition, and silence still feel close to the surface. The novel reimagines the origins of the Claife Crier legend, using real locations and local history as the foundation for a darker, character-driven narrative.
I spent around six years developing the book, balancing historical research with long periods of rewriting and refinement. The priority was never speed, but tone. Slow tension, uncertainty, and the sense that something is always just beyond view.
When I’m not writing, I’m usually out on the fells or exploring remote ground with a camera. Time spent outdoors shapes how I think about story, pacing, and place as much as time at the desk.
This site is where I share updates on The Mereland Chronicles, background on the history and locations behind the books, and occasional behind-the-scenes insight into the writing process.
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Paul J. Scribbans - Author 