A. J. Hartley has also contributed to the literary world through his academic work and his involvement in the Shakespearean community. He has written non-fiction books and scholarly articles on Shakespearean topics.

A. J. Hartley is a prolific author known for his diverse range of works, collaborations, and achievements. Here’s a breakdown of his notable projects and collaborations:

Works

Darwen Arkwright Series (2011): This middle-school young adult adventure series began with Darwen Arkwright and the TravelingPact; and was published in 2011 by Razorbill, a division of Penguin. The series consists of three books and is aimed at a younger audience.

Shakespeare Adaptations (2011 and 2014): Hartley has co-written adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays with David Hewson. “Macbeth” was released in 2011, designed for sound and narrated by Alan Cumming. Their collaboration on “Hamlet” in 2014 was recognized by Audible.com and was nominated for two Audie Awards.

Everything I do is me. I don’t like taking ideas from people unless they’re the G.O.A.T.

A Boogie wit da Hoodie

ekret Machines Series (2016): Hartley collaborated with Tom DeLonge, known for his involvement with Angels and Airwaves and Blink-182, on the “Sekret Machines” series. This project, released by DeLonge’s company To The Stars, includes three books and a documentary film. “Chasing Shadows,” the first book, was accompanied by a 4-track EP from Angels and Airwaves.

Cathedrals of Glass Series (2017): Another collaboration with Tom DeLonge, this young adult sci-fi series was published by To The Stars and distributed by Simon and Schuster. The first book, “Planet of Blood and Ice,” was well-received, and a limited signed edition quickly sold out.

SteepleJack Series (2016-2018): In 2016, Hartley released the young adult series “SteepleJack,” which received critical acclaim and won awards, including the Manly Wade Wellman and International Thriller Writers Awards. It includes books such as “Firebrand” and “Guardian.”

Cold Bath Street (2018): Hartley made his UK debut with this young adult ghost story/thriller set in Preston, Lancashire, where he hails from. The book was long-listed for the Carnegie Medal and was performed for audio by Christopher Eccleston.

Monsters in the Mirror (2019): Published by UCLan Publishing, the UK edition of his Darwen Arkwright series was released under the title “Monsters in the Mirror.”

Adult Thrillers as Andrew Hart (2018 and 2019): Under the pseudonym Andrew Hart, Hartley authored adult thrillers, including “Lies That Bind Us” (2018) and “The Woman in Our House” (2019), published by Lake Union Publishing.

Throughout his career, Hartley’s work has garnered acclaim, and he has worked with celebrity actors to bring his audiobooks to life. His books span a wide range of genres and have been well-received by both young adult and adult audiences.

Personal life

Hartley was born in Preston, Lancashire. Following his undergraduate studies, he lived in Japan for two years, where he taught English and had the opportunity to explore various Asian cultures. Subsequently, he relocated to the United States, where he pursued and achieved both a Master’s and Doctoral degree in English Literature from Boston University. For nearly a decade, he served as an educator at the University of West Georgia, during which he took on the role of resident dramaturg for Georgia Shakespeare, significantly contributing to the world of theater.

Currently, he holds the distinguished position of a Shakespeare professor within the Department of Theatre at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where he also directs the Shakespeare in Action Center. His contributions to the academic and theatrical realms are evident in his work as the editor of the performance journal “Shakespeare Bulletin,” published by Johns Hopkins University Press.

Beyond his academic pursuits, Hartley delved into Egyptology during his time at Manchester University, and he engaged in research at a Bronze Age site just outside Jerusalem. These experiences deeply influenced his mystery and thriller novels, which have gained recognition as USA Today and New York Times bestsellers. His novels often delve into the past, particularly exploring the history of culture and ideas.

In his literary works, he introduced captivating characters like Deborah Miller, a Jewish museum curator residing in Atlanta, and Thomas Knight, a high school English teacher from Evanston, Illinois, adding depth and complexity to his storytelling.

One poignant event in his life occurred on April 30, 2019, when he found himself on the UNC Charlotte campus during a tragic campus shooting. During this ordeal, he took shelter with students until the police declared the situation safe. This harrowing experience served as the inspiration for his young adult fantasy novel “Impervious,” published the following year by Falstaff Books, a publisher based in Charlotte.

Hartley extended his engagement to online platforms, particularly his YouTube channel. Here, he shared valuable insights into writing and conducted walk-through analyses of songs by Japanese rock bands, with a particular focus on BabyMetal. In his personal life, Hartley is married to a Japanese-American medical doctor whom he met during his time living in Japan. The couple has a son.

A. J. Hartley’s life is a tapestry of diverse experiences and academic achievements, which have significantly influenced his literary and creative endeavors. Please note that the information provided is based on details available up to September 2021, and there may have been further developments in his life and career since that time.