BIOGRAPHY

Biography of Paul Edmondson Author of Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya

I was born and raised in Salford, England, and spent half my working life in the UK. During the mid-1980s, I moved to Ireland and now live in Waterford, in the “sunny southeast”. After retiring in 2010, I was able to pursue my passions for writing and photography.

I am a founding member of the Waterford Writers group. Also, my poems have appeared in anthologies of Waterford Writers, in Déise Voices, Poetry for Peace, regional newspapers, and various magazines.

📸 Additionally, my photographic works have appeared on national television and in national and regional newspapers.

Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya

The historical fiction Great Spirit of Yosemite: The Story of Chief Tenaya, is my debut novel. It is an illustrated book that utilizes the beautiful canvas of Yosemite National Park as its backdrop. Furthermore, it includes some of my photographs (see YOSEMITE PHOTOGRAPHY for more photographs. facts, stories, and legends about Yosemite and Mono Basin). The novel has received many five-star⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviews.

“I didn’t want this book to end. I devoured every word”.

After visiting Yosemite National Park on two photographic vacations, I began to gather ideas about writing this historical fiction. While there, I learned about the history and legends of the indigenous people who lived in the valley before the California Gold Rush of the mid-1850s.

Becoming singularly obsessed with the story of Chief Tenaya, and the fate of the Chief’s family and people, drove me to follow up with the story. So, I just had to put this incredible tale down on paper and try to capture the Spirit of Yosemite and its indigenous people. Interviews with me about how I came to author the novel can be found here.