Paul Cornell

Paul Cornell
Name	Paul Cornell
Birth date	1967
Birth place	Chippenham, Wiltshire, England
Occupation	Novelist, Screenwriter, Comics writer
Nationality	British
Genre	Science fiction, Fantasy, Doctor Who
Notableworks	Human Nature, Father's Day, The Lost Child of Lychford

Paul Cornell. He is a British writer renowned for his contributions across multiple media, including television, prose, and comics. His work is particularly celebrated within the science fiction and fantasy genres, with a significant impact on the expanded universe of Doctor Who. Cornell has received prestigious accolades such as the Hugo Award and the British Fantasy Award for his innovative storytelling.

Early life and education

He was born in 1967 in Chippenham, a market town in the county of Wiltshire. From a young age, he developed a keen interest in science fiction and fantasy literature, which would later define his professional career. He pursued his higher education at Saint David's University College, part of the University of Wales, where he studied English literature. During this period, he began writing for fanzines and engaging with the wider Doctor Who fan community, laying the groundwork for his future work.

Career

His professional writing career began in the late 1980s and early 1990s within the Doctor Who expanded universe, authoring several novels for Virgin Publishing's New Adventures and Missing Adventures ranges. He transitioned to television in 2005, writing episodes for the revived BBC series Doctor Who, including the acclaimed "Father's Day". In comics, he has written for major publishers like Marvel Comics and DC Comics, contributing to titles such as Captain Britain and MI: 13 and Action Comics. Beyond Doctor Who, he created the urban fantasy series Shadow Police and has written for other television shows, including Primeval and Elementary.

Writing style and themes

His prose is often characterized by its emotional depth, intellectual rigor, and seamless blending of genre fiction with profound philosophical questions. A recurring theme in his work is the exploration of faith and secularism, particularly evident in novels like Something More. He frequently examines the nature of heroism, sacrifice, and British history, weaving complex character studies into narratives that span science fiction, fantasy, and horror. This approach has earned him praise for bringing a literary sensibility to popular genre formats.

Bibliography

His notable novels include the Doctor Who adaptation *Human Nature*, which he later adapted for television, and the Shadow Police series, beginning with London Falling. In comics, his significant runs include Wisdom for Marvel Comics and Saucer State for IDW Publishing. He has also authored numerous short stories published in anthologies like The Year's Best Science Fiction and contributed non-fiction to publications such as SFX Magazine.

Awards and recognition

He has been nominated for and won several major genre awards. His Doctor Who episode "Father's Day" was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form. He won the British Fantasy Award for his novella The Lost Child of Lychford. His comic series Captain Britain and MI: 13 earned him a Hugo Award for Best Graphic Story. He has also been shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer.

Personal life

He is married and resides in Glasgow, Scotland. An active participant in the wider science fiction community, he has been a guest at numerous conventions, including Worldcon and San Diego Comic-Con. He is known for his engaging presence on platforms like Twitter and his advocacy for diversity within genre fiction. Beyond writing, his interests include history and board games.

Category:British novelists Category:British screenwriters Category:British comics writers Category:Doctor Who writers Category:Hugo Award-winning writers Category:1967 births Category:Living people