Joseph Delaney

Joseph Henry Delaney was an English author of children's dark fantasy novels, best known for his Spook's series. His debut, The Spook's Apprentice, sold over 3 million copies. The story was the basis for 20 books, adaptations, and other works.

Joseph Delaney was born in Preston. He was the son of a laborer and the oldest of four. As a child, Delaney had a recurring nightmare. It involved a shadowy figure emerging from the coal cellar. He attended Preston Catholic College and became an apprentice engineer.

Later, he studied at Lancaster University at night. He graduated in English, history, and sociology. Delaney trained as a teacher at St Martin's College.

Joseph Delaney began teaching English at Blackpool Sixth Form College. He started the Media and Film Studies Department there. In the 1980s, Delaney completed an Open University degree. He aimed to become a computer programmer and moved to Stalmine in 1983. There, he discovered the story of a local boggart. It inspired his Spook's series.

"I was inspired by Tolkien and wanted to write like him. I failed miserably and lost count of the many times, that my manuscripts were rejected. Then, under pressure from my agent, Carolyn Whitaker, I started writing for children," Joseph Delaney said.

He first wrote under the pseudonym J. K. Haderack. After struggling to publish adult novels, he turned to children's literature. The Spook's Apprentice, inspired by Lancashire folklore and his own dreams, was published in 2004. It won several awards and launched the successful Spook's series. After the second book in the series, Delaney retired from teaching and began writing full-time.

As a result of his success, Delaney traveled to promote his books, often visiting New Zealand and Singapore. He also authored the Arena 13 trilogy and the Aberrations duology.

Joseph Delaney passed away in Manchester in 2022. His final book, Brother Wulf: Wulf's War, was released posthumously in 2023.

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