Paul Read (Moderator)

Paul was brought up in rural South Wales and moved to Yorkshire to study at University, and later work as a communications, and latterly complaints manager for a local council in Yorkshire. Paul's proudest writing moment with the local authority arrived with the 400,000 print run of the annual council tax booklet and benefit claim form, both edited and co-produced by him. Who said working for the council was boring? ((cough)). 

Paul now lives in West Yorkshire in a tiny 350 year old cottage on the wild pennine moors (quite close to that farmhouse that dissects the M62) with his partner of almost 20 years, Melanie and their three cats Pickle, Ultimo and Morris the Van Cat. Paul enjoys simple travel and hiking, while gardening, music and socialising take up much of his spare time. Many of his articles offer tips for like minded souls.

Paul has visited over 35 countries and tries to fit in at least five travel experiences each year. Paul has published travel and music articles professionally, but usually prefers to self-publish on the internet as opposed to selling to publications. He claims it is more satisfying not to have to write to a standard specification or style, and not pitching articles for sale allows more time to write.

Until recently Paul was a category lead writer for over five years for a large American web site, specialising in writing travel, book and music articles, and has now been appointed by the Simonseeks editorial team to act as a moderator to review and rate the travel articles of others on a regular basis.

Paul is now lead writer at www.westcoast-usa-roadtrip.com which offers tips for anyone wanting to arrange a roadtrip to the USA in California, Oregon and Washington state.

Paul is trained in plain english and takes a particular pride in making his articles clear and easy to read. However he has a number of annoying writing habits; not least writing about himself in the third person on profile pages.    

Paul is proud to have made the finals of the Simonseeks Travel Guide of the Month for February & March 2011.