D.E. Jones is a British author of character-driven fiction that’s equal parts gritty and witty. Inspired by a lifelong love of storytelling, Dan (writing as D.E. Jones) began taking fiction seriously after enrolling in a Creative Writing course with the Open University. That course didn’t just sharpen his skills — it lit the creative spark that led to his debut series, Now What?, a post-apocalyptic trilogy set in a very British end of the world.

While many apocalypse tales head to the vast landscapes of the U.S., Jones’s stories stay rooted in the UK, bringing regional realism, dark humour, and emotional grit to a familiar yet fractured landscape. Now What? follows a group of teenagers surviving in a world that’s gone unsettlingly quiet. It’s a story about trust, relationships, and how people cope when everything comfortable is stripped away. Although the first draft of the entire trilogy was written in just over a month, the characters had been living in his head for years.

Jones draws inspiration from the moral complexity of George R.R. Martin, the emotional grit of Suzanne Collins, and the world-ending tension of Stephen King’s The Stand. But rather than focusing on world-building or endless zombie encounters, he keeps the spotlight on people — their choices, their voices, and their ability (or failure) to connect.

When he’s not writing until the small hours with post-punk instrumentals or cheesy 80s playlists in his ears, Jones teaches literature to second-language learners. Based near Leeds, he brings a northern perspective to a genre too often dominated by American settings and voices.

As an indie author, he’s passionate about the freedom of self-publishing. It allows him to write on his own terms, maintain a healthy work-life balance, and connect directly with readers — even if it’s just a small, loyal audience. For him, hearing that a reader couldn’t put the book down or fell in love with a character is more rewarding than sales charts or algorithms.

Jones recently launched a new YouTube channel to support his author work and promote upcoming releases. He’s no stranger to the platform — his gaming channel has over 1,600 subscribers — and he’s open to podcast invites, interviews, or other content collaborations. His first written interview appeared on Awesome Gang's website.

Outside of writing, he’s a record-collecting, IPA-sipping film buff with a passion for rock music, retro cinema, and 90s nostalgia. He hosts a rock radio show, keeps a close eye on Aston Villa’s fortunes, and once appeared as an extra in Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon, one of the highest-grossing Chinese films of 2014.

He may describe himself as “a fairly average bloke for someone my age,” but his stories suggest otherwise — packed with heart, honesty, and the kind of edge that keeps readers turning the page.