Joseph Delaney

Joseph Henry Delaney (1945-2022) was an English author best known for his children's dark fantasy series, 'Spook's,' which was inspired by Lancashire folklore, history, and geography. The series achieved global sales of over 4.5 million copies and was published in 30 countries. Delaney began his career as an English teacher before transitioning to writing. He initially wrote science fiction and fantasy novels for adults under the pen name J. K. Haderack but struggled to find a publisher. His first book for children, 'The Spook's Apprentice' (2004), was a significant success, leading him to retire from teaching and focus on writing full-time. His work has been adapted into a feature film, 'Seventh Son,' and a French graphic novel. Delaney's writing process was often described as a 'process of discovery,' with inspiration drawn from his dreams and local legends.