A.J. West

A.J. West is an English author celebrated for his captivating historical novels. Born in Buckinghamshire, England, he is the son of primary school teachers and developed a passion for storytelling at a young age. He pursued English Literature at the University of Central Lancashire, where he immersed himself in the works of classic authors.

Before becoming a Twice Sunday Times bestselling author of historical fiction, A.J. West had a distinguished career as a BBC journalist and broadcaster, earning accolades for his work. He has also contributed to national newspapers and magazines and regularly appears on various television programs. His debut novel, The Spirit Engineer, published in October 2021, garnered international acclaim and won the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown Award. The novel is based on a true story and delves into themes of spiritualism in the early 20th century.

In July 2024, West released his second novel, The Betrayal of Thomas True, debuting at no.2 in the Sunday Times bestseller’s chart, further establishing his reputation as a compelling storyteller.

In his spare time, you can find him socialising with a community of book bloggers and authors at his hugely popular BookParty events, giving motivational speeches to school children, or finding inspiration for his new historical children’s stories in the London Library. A.J. currently resides in South London with his husband, Nicholas Robinson. West’s journey from a shy child who found solace in books to an acclaimed author serves as an inspiring example of how early passions can lead to remarkable achievements. His children’s writing spans non-fiction, middle grade and picture books.

A.J. is represented by Georgia Tournay — For enquiries, please contact Georgia via email.