Award-winning filmmaker and writer, Paul Inman was born, raised, and still lives in coastal South Carolina. He has a passion for storytelling across many platforms, including all genres of films, music, podcasts, and, of course, writing. His debut novel, Ageless, was a winner in the Sword & Laser Contest on Inkshares.com. With accolades from international film festivals and competitions such as Beaufort International Film Festival, Stephen King Rules Dollar Baby Film Festival, South Carolina Underground Film Festival, Crimson Screen Horror Film Festival, and more, his short films can be seen on Shorts TV, Amazon Prime, and YouTube. Paul is a Coastal Carolina University graduate with a BA in Music Performance and an MA in Teaching.
Author Links:
You can find him @paulinmansc on most social media.
Linktree with all the links – linktr.ee/paulinmansc
Tell us a bit about your web series. How did you get into short film-making for YouTube, and what gave you the idea for your web series, Bored Games?
Sometime in late 2021, I’d just finished That Feeling, my Stephen King Dollar Baby (that’s where he would give non-exclusive rights to adapt a story to indie/student filmmakers, sadly the program has ended). I was looking to do something a little more laid back after the year and half long adventure of making a King film! I thought it would be nice to make a comedy (That Feeling deals with some heavy themes). I thought something light and silly would be a great way to flex my writing muscles.
The idea was to make something like Seinfeld for the internet – a show about nothing. I took inspiration from my life, as one does, and thought about what it’s like to sit around with my friends. We always go on some wild tangent that’s usually ridiculous and often hilarious.
After some brainstorming, and convincing my wife that our house was perfect for the shoot, I came up with a handful of silly scenarios that would eventually become the basis for each of the episodes. It’s great, because each script is short and contained to one location – sitting around a table playing a card/board game – you can shoot an episode in a short amount of time. There is a running gag that someone new is at the table each episode and we almost never acknowledge it or that the character is new. They make me laugh. And, hopefully, others laugh too. I’m really grateful for the people who’ve volunteered their time and talents to make this little silly idea into a reality.
Which episode/s was/were your favourite to make so far, and can you say why?
That’s like choosing your favorite child! I’m sure that everyone says this, but they are all different from each other – even though the premise and the basic concept is the same for each. I loved making each of them in different ways and for different reasons. I’ll say this, unhinged Herbie (Ben Higgins) in this latest episode (The Weather Channel) make me laugh a lot. And I play a role in them as well. I love that my character is the “rational” one, but they are all a bit crazy.
Do you find that being a short fiction writer has helped you develop scripts for your web series, or vice versa – has writing scripts for shorts has helped you develop as a short fiction writer?
Great question, believe it or not, I wrote a novel (and a terrible, but fun and goofy, feature length script) before I did most of this other stuff. The novel is called Ageless and it’s out there somewhere if you’d like a copy. (Shameless, I know). Here’s the elevator pitch for that: A “young” woman with a genetic anomaly, spend her long life running from the people who’d exploit her. Ageless explores the question: is immortality a gift or a curse? It’s Firestarter meets X-Men meets Bourne.
To answer the question, I would say yes. Working one short form writing has influenced in both directions. My short fiction is stronger because of my short film script writing and vise versa.
Macabré: A Horror Anthology includes your novella Welcome to Hel!. Tell us a bit about the anthology, and your novella in particular.
I’m only one of several contributors to Macabré. I was asked to contribute a story in late 2023. My contribution is Welcome to Hel!, of course.
MS Chambers was the one who produced the book and gathered all the authors. The book includes some terrific stories by a group of fantastic writers. She sort of gave us free rein to create whatever came into our minds, as long as it was some subgenre of horror.
It was a lot of fun writing for this novella. It gave a chance to work some ideas that I’d had brewing for a lot of years. Outside of this, I’ve been writing short fiction in fits and starts for years. I’ve been a kick lately and wrote or finished several short stories in the past four or five months. I’ve been compiling my short writing too. I may produce a collection at some point.
Welcome to Hel! is a Sci-Fi Horror-comedy, described as Lovecraft meets Men In Black meets Clerks. What gave you this idea, and what was it about your working class protags and their normal working scenario (like Clerks) that you found compelling for the story?
Believe it or not, I saw a friend post something about getting a promotion making him the night manager at his job and it was the spark that created the fire (FYI, he doesn’t work at a convenience store like the characters in Welcome to Hel!).
In fact, the working title was Night Manager for a while. But I found that the main character shifted away from the night manager to Jordan, who is sort of the new guy, so I made the change. I think people can relate to a working class character; most of us live this in our day to day. This story isn’t exactly a normal working scenario, but you do get a bit of the mundane shit each of us goes through at our jobs on occasion. No one loves scrubbing the door jambs, or mopping floors, but it’s got to be done. Sometimes we put our heads down and power through. Everyone knows that feeling and can understand it. Almost everyone.
What can people look out for from you – anything coming soon? Will they recognise themes and tones from your previous work in your future publications?
There’s always irons in the proverbial fire. Probably too many, if I’m being honest!
The main thing: We – myself and a group of filmmakers and writers who adapted Stephen King’s work through his now defunct Dollar Baby program – are taking preorders for an all-new book Keys to the Kingdom. A Dollar Baby Horror Anthology of original horror fiction! 
A strong start got us noticed and you can help make this book a reality. We’d love your support!
$10 = eBook
$20 = Paperback
$60 = “Super Reader” (3 books + your name in the book as a thank YOU!)
Let’s make this happen together! 
Learn more: inkshares.com/books/keys-to-the-kingdom
I’m working on a new film that could see the light of day in 2025, but more likely 2026. I’ve got many short stories submitted to different publications, and I’ve got a novel out there looking for a home as well.
Plus, I’m always writing. I’ve got a lot of things going for 2025. None that I can talk about just yet. Well… I guess I can say there is very early talks about a standalone release of Welcome to Hel! in the near future (you’re the first I’ve mentioned this to!!).
And I’ve got a poem coming in a collection this summer.
You can find out more about all of things as they happen on my social media and website. Thank so much for having me and thanks for all you’re doing for the writing community! You rock!
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