Born in St Andrews, Scotland, Bill Douglas was in his teens inspired by talks with a depressed aunt, to work in mental health. During the 1960s he worked in psychiatric social work in hospital and community settings. As a Polytechnic lecturer he did some mental health teaching. On retiring he trained as a counsellor, to work in a bereavement centre and an NHS locality counselling service. He resides in the Liverpool area, volunteers for Samaritans, draws support for writing from his wife Elisabeth and Formby Writers, and thirsts to write more historical fiction.