David James (DJ) is an attorney and lives in Northborough, Massachusetts, with his wife, Tonya, who has somehow endured thirty years of his endless parade of ridiculous character voices echoing through the house. Together they’ve raised three wonderful children, now off conquering the world through college, law school, and Boston courtrooms.
When he’s not writing fantasy novels, designing campaigns, or crafting multi-page backstories, DJ records and publishes Christian hip-hop under the stage name “DJ the Not So Ordinary.” His music is available on all major streaming platforms.
DJ is the creator of his homebrew fantasy world Valla™ (www.vallaworld.com).
He is already hard at work on his second novel set in Valla, because, apparently, sleep is optional when your imagination won’t shut up
Blog
Talking Writing and Life with Ed Londergan
Some writers arrive at storytelling late in life, while others seem to carry it with them from the very beginning….
Escala’s Wish Wins the PenCraft Best Book Award for Fantasy
What Winning a PenCraft Award Really Means (and Why It Matters) Escala’s Wish has been selected as the PenCraft Best Book…
A Conversation with Gina LoBiondo: Stories, Bears, Dragons, and Cinderella
Gina LoBiondo has been telling stories for most of her life—long before she ever thought about publishing or book awards….
“Escala’s Wish”Takes Second Place at the International Firebird Book Awards
For the 4th Quarter of 2025, Escala’s Wish earned Second Place in the Firebird Fantasy/Dark Fantasy category, a distinction that…
Escala’s Wish receives Kirkus’ “GET IT” Award
I’m incredibly proud to share that Escala’s Wish has been awarded the Kirkus “GET IT” Award. If you’re not familiar with…
Escala’s Wish Receives “RECOMMENDED” Award from Bookview Review
Bookview Review has issued a “RECOMMENDED” Gold badge award for my novel Escala’s Wish. I was very excited to receive the…
NEW RELEASE
Escala’s Wish is an action-adventure romantasy with banter, light humor, high stakes, and intrigue. No werewolves, badboy boyfriends, or enemies-to-lover storylines- this is unique.
The story is in the world of VallaTM and follows Escala Winter, a mischievous pixie from the Court of Dreams who wishes to understand love. Her impulsive act awakens an ancient grudge and sets in motion a chain of events that threatens both mortal and fey realms.
Banished from her enchanted home, Escala must navigate a dangerous world filled with betrayal, vengeance, and unexpected affection.
As she struggles to undo the damage she has caused, she becomes entangled in a conflict that forces her to confront the meaning of love, loss, and sacrifice.
Escala’s Wish is a sweeping coming-of-age tale about magic, passion, and the perilous consequences of curiosity.
It is the first book in the Tales from Valla series.