Watson lectured English in Tanzania (1965–67)[3] and Tokyo (1967–70), and taught Future Studies at the Birmingham Polytechnic from 1970 to 1976.

He is a prolific writer, having written more than two dozen novels, among them Miracle Visitors, God's World, The Jonah Kit and The Flies of Memory; and many collections of short stories.

[6] During 1980, Watson and Michael Bishop wrote the first transatlantic SF novel collaboration, Under Heaven's Bridge, using typewriters and postal services.

[citation needed] In 1989 Watson made an extended appearance on television in Channel 4's After Dark series alongside Buzz Aldrin and Whitley Strieber among others.

His major work of recent years is The Waters of Destiny co-written with Andy West.