AJ Hartley
@authorajhartley.bsky.social
New York Times Bestselling novelist, Shakespeare professor, fan of Japanese rock music, collaborator with Blink-182's Tom DeLonge, hobbyist, creator, annoyed author site: www.ajhartley.net YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlh2jTxFoqs&t=10s
“Hartley gives the reader a new version of the play with additions that are subtle and radical … the reader seems to be in the presence of a working writer, director and scholar in conversation with Shakespeare, separated by 425 years.” ―Current Shakespeare
I'm unfriending people who post AI slop. I'm sick of this stupid, misinformation BS, and its environmental impact. I loathe AI and the companies who are trying to force it on us and I don't respect people who use it for "fun." Post AI stories and images, expect to be unfriended.
I regret to announce that for personal reasons I will not be able to attend Multiverse this year. This is in no way a reflection on the convention who have been gracious and supportive. I'm sorry I won't get to meet with my fellow writers and readers.
There's so much misunderstanding and misinformation about editing novels on line. Here's my take on the process of working with editors, what you can expect that to achieve and--most importantly--what you can't. Includes bonus rant on scammers and AI. Because of course it does. youtu.be/Kvj1f1m79iA
Working with editors: a how-to with bestselling novelist AJ Hartley #editing
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
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My latest video (available now to Patreon subscribers) is on editing, including working with editors, when you should engage them (depending on your brand of publishing) and, perhaps most importantly, when you shouldn't. patreon.com/AJHartley
Get more from AJ Hartley on Patreon
Get more from AJ Hartley on Patreon. Join for free or become a member for just $2/month. I'm an award winning, bestselling novelist (23 books to date),…
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I'm trying to write but there's an incessant tapping close to my window. I go outside, expecting to see a downy woodpecker on a nearby gutter or something, but no... #birdrescue youtube.com/shorts/stf15...
#rescuing a #nuthatch from one of my outdoor lamps (!) #birds #birdrescue
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
youtube.com
Question for writers who do library talks. I'm being asked for my rates for out of town library presentations. I'm keen to support libraries but want to cover my costs as this will be a reasonable drive and will probably necessitate at least one night in a hotel. Anyone have any rules of thumb?
Footage of the #BABYMetal Charlotte show and some rambling thoughts on what a BABYMETAL concert actually is :) youtu.be/qtZkSIXuEBA
AJ Hartley asks "What is a BABYMETAL concert?" and his show footage from Charlotte Sept 2026
YouTube video by Andrew (AJ) Hartley
youtu.be
A virtual component has been added for folks who would like to hear my Shakespeare and creative writing lecture but can't make it to Ann Arbor on Wednesday. Details below: Invitation link: umich.zoom.us/j/9485597434... Webinar ID: 948 5597 4341 Password: 916500
You may not be into the heavier Japanese rock/metal I post about, but check out my discussion of 3 mellow, light jazz. 6K listens will get my channel to 2 MILLION views! Atarashii Gakko doing 80s inflected City Pop. Lazy afternoon vibe and great backdrop to your next cocktail :) youtu.be/3Z9TW9TPrGo
The 3 song Mellow Middle of Atarashi Gakko's FROM TOKYO WITH LOVE, with AJ Hartley #AG!
YouTube video by Andrew (AJ) Hartley
youtu.be
My discussion of what I'm calling the Mellow Middle of the new #AtarashiiGakko album, From Tokyo with Love. Laid back city pop vibes and music to make you smile: youtu.be/3Z9TW9TPrGo #AG!
The 3 song Mellow Middle of Atarashi Gakko's FROM TOKYO WITH LOVE, with AJ Hartley #AG!
YouTube video by Andrew (AJ) Hartley
youtu.be
I'm honored to be giving the inaugural Hodgdon lecture (after my friend and mentor the immortal Barbara Hodgdon) in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. What genre writers can learn from Shakespeare.
Back from DragonCon. The only pic I'll post is this fanboy's dream come true as I got to hang with actors from two of my all time favorite shows, Firefly and Castle. Jewel Staite, Seamus Dever, and Jon Huertas were gracious, generous and charming. I even got to talk Shakespeare with Seamus.
Today is the official release day for the first ever US edition of my ghostly thriller Cold Bath Street. To celebrate, here's a video I made 5 years ago when the UK edition came out (with my Covid hair!) of me reading the prologue, accompanied by the music of Valentine Wolfe! youtu.be/be8-os1LFXY
Cold Bath Street Prologue, by AJ Hartley, read by the author, with music by Valentine Wolfe #ghost
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
youtu.be
My review of the excellent @ardenpublisher.bsky.social Fourth Series edition of Julius Caesar, edited by @authorajhartley.bsky.social if anyone is interested. currentshakespeare.substack.com/p/arden-shak... #Shakespeare
Arden Shakespeare Julius Caesar Review
Arden Shakespeare Fourth Series, edited by Andrew James Hartley
currentshakespeare.substack.com
Dragon Con in a couple of days and I'll have some cool stuff to sign. How cool? Well, I'm glad you asked, since some of it you won't be able to find anywhere else IN THE WORLD :) youtube.com/shorts/nTZIg...
#dragoncon #signings #authorajhartley #tomdelonge
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
youtube.com
It's my former student Sammy Haj's birthday. This was taken during our production of Romeo and Juliet, performed with the Charlotte symphony orchestra and the Charlotte ballet, a decade ago. Sammy, a gifted actor and a generous, open human being, was killed in a road accident several years ago. RIP.
A new book, an announcement about future activity, and all my seasonal news. ajhartley.net/whats-going-...
New books, new projects and more: ending the summer of 2026
Another busy few months. The release of my Julius Caesar edition for Arden's 4th series of Shakespeare's play meant a lot of travel and conference activity, including the International Shakespeare con...
ajhartley.net
After a week of silence, the new hound finds her voice. What motivates this sudden display...? 🙄 youtube.com/shorts/XJ-ZV...
Yuki, our new #greatpyrenees #puppy finally finds something worth barking at
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
youtube.com
Where will I be next week? Well, I'm glad you asked. Let me know if you are looking to get specific signed books, particularly Time Rider and the new Cold Bath Street since they will be in short supply. #DragonCon
Panel discussion at the Shakespeare institute in Stratford-upon-Avon celebrating the launch of the Arden 4th series of Shakespeare editions (mine being Julius Caesar). Reliving the stress of addressing a room full of the world's most eminent Shakespeareans. :) www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6li...
The Arden Shakespeare Fourth Series at the International Shakespeare Conference 2026
YouTube video by Bloomsbury Academic
youtube.com
I have a new book out next week! It's the first ever US edition of my ghost story, Cold Bath Street. youtube.com/shorts/vsYlv...
Announcing the first ever US edition of my ghostly thriller, Cold Bath Street #ghoststory #book
YouTube video by AJ Hartley's Weird Writing Life
youtube.com
Great to see how well Mark Blucas has matured as an actor. Utterly persuasive as an ex military congressman on Reacher 4.
