David Bishop

David Bishop is a Creative Writing Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University's School of Arts and Creative Industries, where he helped found the innovative MA Creative Writing programme in 2009. A highly accomplished author with twenty-five published novels, he maintains active professional affiliations including the Society of Authors (Great Britain), New Zealand Society of Authors, Crime Writers' Association, and Historical Writers' Association.

His scholarly and creative work spans multiple domains:

• Creative Writing pedagogy and alternative workshop models
• Historical fiction with deep focus on Renaissance Italy
• Graphic novels and comic book writing across international markets
• Genre fiction including crime, historical mysteries, and science fiction
• New Zealand Gothic literary tradition
• Adaptation studies across television, audio, and print media

Bishop's creative output demonstrates exceptional versatility across formats, with his Cesare Aldo historical fiction series set in Renaissance Florence establishing him as a major figure in the genre. His publications reveal meticulous historical research combined with compelling narrative techniques, particularly evident in his Florence-based novels which have earned international recognition.

Notable awards include:

• Robert Louis Stevenson Fellowship (2017)
• Sir Julius Vogel Award for 'The Elysian Blade' (2020)
• NZ Booklovers Award for 'City of Vengeance' (2022)
• CWA Historical Dagger Award for 'The Darkest Sin' (2022)
• Ngaio Marsh Award for 'Ritual of Fire' (2023)
• Multiple 2024 finalists for 'A Divine Fury'

Academically, Bishop has secured research funding including £1200 from Edinburgh Napier University for his 2021 collaboration with Dr. Hope Christie on 'Dramatizing Trauma: Interdisciplinary Collaborative Research for PTSD through a radio play' in South Africa's Khayelitsha township. As Programme Leader for Creative Writing, he has developed innovative teaching methodologies that challenge traditional peer review workshop models in creative writing education.