Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare Publishes New YA Fantasy

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

Robinson Distinguished Professor of Shakespeare Andrew Hartley has a new book, published by Tor Teen and released on June 6. Firebrand is the second novel in Hartley’s Steeplejack young adult (YA) series, set in a 19th-century South African-inspired fantasy world.

Steeplejack received glowing reviews and has been nominated for the International Thriller Writers best YA novel award. Actress Noma Dumezweni performed the Steeplejack audiobook and has returned for Firebrand, released by Audible on June 6, concurrent with the print edition.

Hartley, who has several additional works of fiction underway, continues to research Shakespeare from unexplored perspectives. In March, he and Peter Holland, Shakespeare professor at Notre Dame University, presented a seminar discussion on “Shakespeare and Geek Culture” at the annual conference of the Shakespeare Association of America. They are planning an essay collection on the same topic.

Returning from a writing sabbatical in the 2016-17 academic year, Hartley will teach a course in Theatrical Shakespeare this fall.