James Dashner is an American author known for his young adult fiction, particularly his Maze Runner series. He was born on November 26, 1972, in Austell, Georgia, and grew up in a family of ten children. Dashner’s interest in writing began in childhood, and he pursued his passion for storytelling by studying accounting at Brigham Young University and later working in finance. However, he eventually left his corporate job to focus on writing full-time.
His debut novel, “The Journal of Curious Letters,” was published in 2008 and was followed by the Maze Runner series, which gained widespread popularity and was later adapted into a successful film franchise. The Maze Runner tells the story of a group of teenagers trapped in a mysterious maze with no memories of their past, and their fight for survival in a dystopian society.
In addition to the Maze Runner series, Dashner has written several other young adult novels, including the Jimmy Fincher Saga and the Mortality Doctrine series. His work is known for its fast-paced action, suspenseful storytelling, and exploration of complex themes such as identity, memory, and the nature of evil.

James Dashner
To know more about James Dashner, let’s take a look at these 31 interesting facts about him.
- James Dashner was born on November 26, 1972, in Austell, Georgia.
- He is the second youngest of ten siblings.
- Dashner attended Brigham Young University and studied accounting.
- Before becoming a full-time writer, Dashner worked in finance.
- His debut novel, “The Journal of Curious Letters,” was published in 2008.
- Dashner’s Maze Runner series has sold over 25 million copies worldwide.
- The Maze Runner was adapted into a film in 2014, starring Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario.
- Dashner has written several other young adult novels, including the Jimmy Fincher Saga and the Mortality Doctrine series.
- He is also the author of several short stories and has contributed to anthologies.
- Dashner is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- He and his wife have four children and live in Utah.
- Dashner is a fan of science fiction and cites authors such as Ray Bradbury, Isaac Asimov, and Orson Scott Card as influences.
- In addition to writing, Dashner enjoys playing basketball and watching movies.
- He has said that he gets most of his writing done in the morning and likes to listen to music while he works.
- Dashner has won several awards for his writing, including the New Mexico Book Award and the 2009 Whitney Award for Best Youth Fiction.
- He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
- Dashner has spoken at numerous conferences and events, including Comic-Con and Book Expo America.
- He is active on social media, with a large following on Twitter and Instagram.
- Dashner is known for his fast-paced, action-packed writing style.
- His work often explores themes of identity, memory, and the nature of evil.
- Dashner has said that he likes to write stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats.
- He is a fan of the television show Lost and has said that it influenced his writing.
- Dashner has said that he is a plot-driven writer and often starts with a concept or idea before developing characters.
- He has been compared to other popular young adult authors such as Suzanne Collins and Veronica Roth.
- Dashner has said that he enjoys writing for young adults because of their enthusiasm and openness to new ideas.
- He has cited Stephen King’s The Shining as one of his favorite books.
- Dashner has described himself as a “pantser” rather than a “plotter,” meaning that he often writes by the seat of his pants without a detailed outline.
- He is a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and has said that he would love to write a superhero story.
- Dashner has said that he is a fan of video games and has played games such as Halo and Mass Effect.
- He is also a fan of the Harry Potter series and has said that it inspired him to write young adult fiction.
- Dashner has said that he is always working on new projects and has several ideas for future books.
James Dashner’s success as a young adult author is a testament to his skill as a storyteller and his ability to captivate readers with his fast-paced, action-packed writing style. His Maze Runner series has become a cultural phenomenon, with millions of copies sold worldwide and a successful film franchise. Dashner’s exploration of complex themes such as memory and identity has made his work resonate with readers of all ages. With several awards to his name and a devoted following of fans, James Dashner is a prominent figure in the world of young adult fiction and a testament to the power of imagination and perseverance.