Paul Francis, Citizenship, English resources author

"I'm convinced of the need for materials to involve students in a range of ways - solo and group, written and spoken, critical and creative. I can't stand materials which try to supplant the role of the teacher."

Paul Francis started teaching in comprehensive schools in 1967.

"I had a difficult start, which led to my first book "Beyond Control?", a study of discipline in the comprehensive school. I always taught English, but gradually added other subjects to that – particularly drama and PSE. I had three collections of plays for pupils published while I was teaching. In 1986-7 I was involved in the Shropshire Talk Project, and that led to talk materials for English and PSE. Since then I have been convinced of the need for materials to involve students in a range of ways – solo and group, written and spoken, critical and creative. I can’t stand materials which try to supplant the role of the teacher."

After 30 years, in four comprehensive schools, Paul retired from teaching. Since then he's written a novel ("Love and Chalkdust"), an autobiography ("Comprehensive View") and a collection of poems ("Various Forms"). He's also written about thirty packs for ZigZag.

"[ZigZag] understand how I work and what I do, allow me the freedom to follow my own ideas but also are fully aware of the market we're dealing with - even if I'm not."

Paul joined ZigZag because "I’d retired early, wanted to continue to produce materials, and the leaflet said I might make thousands of pounds". Asked what he likes about PublishMeNow, he emphasises the direct informal contact and the freedom he's allowed to develop his own ideas. "I've had negotations with other publishers which were much more formal and frustrating, requiring me to fit into predetermined boxes. With ZigZag, where do I start? They’re human beings, who speak an intelligible language, and respond quickly. They understand how I work and what I do, allow me the freedom to follow my own ideas but also are fully aware of the market we’re dealing with – even if I’m not. They let me do what I do best, but fill in the gaps when I need support."

"The back up with ZigZag is terrific - proofreading, clarifying points which weren't clear and feeding back responses from readers."

Paul has just finished off the Character and Voice pack for AQA 2010 and is considering a collection of plays or maybe a pack on writing poems. "Who knows? And that's part of the fun."

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