The Bot Books: Screenwriter to middle-grade author
Paul Clarke, author of the action-packed Bot Books Series, shares his journey from award-winning screenwriter to middle-grade author.
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Screenwriter to Middle-Grade Author: The Bot Books Series by Paul Clarke
When I decided I wanted to write stories, they appeared to me as movies. Probably because at that point in time I was watching more movies than I was reading books. But after many years of screenwriting, the itch to write a novel instead overwhelmed me, and the transition started with reading books. Lots and lots of books. I even convinced myself (for a brief period anyway) that I hated movies. And TV. Death to all screens!
After I had rebuilt the habit of reading novels, I found it much easier to turn my skills to prose. But where to start?
At the beginning of my creative process, muscle memory would took over, and any blank page I faced would inevitably turn into a screenplay. So I had the crazy idea that in order to write a novel, I would try writing in a genre completely different to those I usually wrote scripts. I decided on epic fantasy.
Luckily, that idea was short-lived. Not because I don’t enjoy the epic fantasy genre as a reader, but because I don’t think it’s the easiest place to start writing fiction. Instead, I had just finished a screenplay titled Bot Camp, about a boy who scores an invitation to a combat robotics boot camp being hosted by a tech philanthropist, who just happens to be the boy’s hero. He shows up intending to beat the other children and become his hero’s next apprentice.
However, nothing goes to plan. The other kids are super talented, and it seems like his team cannot do anything right. Worse, the high-tech automated facility where they are staying goes into lockdown, and it’s up to him and his dysfunctional team to save the day.
It was a nice and simple story that made a fun screenplay. And, it let me indulge in my new passion for combat robotics, as seen on TV shows like BattleBots and Robot Wars. As I am a writer and not an engineer, I found this the easier path. As I finished writing the screenplay, it occurred to me that this might indeed be the best choice for my first book. I hadn’t read any middle-grade for a while, but some research resulted in the following suggestions:
- 25,000 to -50,000 words
- Single main character, third-person POV.
- Limited introspection. Lots of action.
And of course, content that is suitable for that age range, 9 to 12 years old.
I looked at this list and realised that it was almost perfectly describing a screenplay. So that made the decision simple, and I began writing Bot Camp the book, using my screenplay as a very detailed outline.
Obviously, the big change would be the prose. And that change did not come easy. It turns out years of screenwriting actually corroded my basic writing skills as screenplays are not written with correct grammar. They have an entirely different grammatical language of their own that allows you to direct on the page. So it was a good thing that I was back to reading. And, that I was willing to hire a good editor.
In the end, Bot Camp the middle-grade book was born, and I chose to self-publish with the help of the lovely folk at Green Hill Publishing.
Usually, I like to do things all myself. But, a quick reality check reminded me I cannot draw, and I’m also not the best when it comes to designing either. So it was a very wise choice to enlist some help, and I was extremely pleased with how professional the end product turned out.
Even with some screenwriting success, including notable competition wins and screenplay option agreements with producers from the US, UK, and Australia, I had never got to hold the finished product in my hand. But now I finally have something concrete to show for all that work, and it’s a wonderful feeling.
I have been able to visit robotics events and engage with kids and parents who were interested in the sport and were genuinely excited to find a book about something they love. Reading the reviews has been inspiring also, with people who weren’t even familiar with combat robotics saying how entertaining they found the story as they read it with their child.
In fact, I was so pleased with how the first book turned out, that I have turned it into a series. Book two of The Bot Books series came out earlier this year. It’s titled Botcation, and it sees a number of the same characters return for a robotics-themed vacation that was much needed after the hijinks of Bot Camp. Except, you guessed it… things don’t go quite to plan.
Penning this article in November 2026, I am in final stage preparations for the third book in the series – Bot World – which I hope to have available before Christmas.
I plan on writing six books in this Bot Books series, and I think they’re great for a young audience who are into STEM and robotics, but also just anyone wanting exciting middle-grade storylines. And maybe, one day I’ll get to dust off that screenplay, and we’ll even get the movie. One can only hope.
BOOKLOVER NOTE: As a beta reader for this series, I can vouch for The Bot Books being entertaining middle-grade reads, even for those not into robotics. Clarke’s screenwriting experience shines through in his compellingly quirky and diverse character ensemble, engaging dialogue and cinematic action-packed scenes. These tall tales filled with tension and suspense, peppered with humour in all the right places, are at their core about problem-solving and teamwork, self-reflection and resilience.
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