Paul Ashton is the Development Producer at BBC Writersroom and author of The Calling Card Script: A Writer’s Toolbox for Stage, Screen and Radio, published in 2011 by A & C Black.

In his BBC role, he finds and develops drama and comedy writers towards production across departments, including Films, Drama, Comedy, CBBC and CBeebies. He oversees the BBC unsolicited script system, competitions, development schemes, industry partnerships, and execs new talent projects and productions. Recent work includes short films nominated for an Oscar Award (Wish 143) and a BAFTA (Turning).

Previously, he freelanced in script development, including work with various BBC departments, the Arts Council John Whiting and Meyer-Whitworth Awards, Spice Factory, FilmFour. His theatre literary and directing work includes Paines Plough, Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Theatre & Beyond. He has tutored scriptwriting (Sussex Uni) and guest lectured widely across numerous university programs (including University of East Anglia,Bournemouth University,De Montfort University,London College of Communication,Central School of Speech and Drama) and festivals (London Screenwriters' Festival, Cheltenham Screenwriter’s Festival,National Student Drama Festival).