A short life of the author
James Dashner (born 1972) created one of the defining YA franchises of the 2010s with The Maze Runner series, a dystopian thriller sequence that sold over ten million copies worldwide and generated a film trilogy grossing nearly a billion dollars. His work occupies a specific niche in the YA landscape: high-concept puzzle narratives with relentless pacing, designed to hook reluctant readers.
Life and Career
James Smith Dashner was born in Austell, Georgia, and raised in Duluth, Georgia. He studied accounting at Brigham Young University before turning to writing. His early publications — the 13th Reality series (2008–2012) and The Journal of Curious Letters — were middle-grade science fiction that established his talent for fast-paced, puzzle-box plotting.
The Maze Runner (2009, Delacorte Press) was his breakthrough. The premise is elegant: a teenager named Thomas wakes up in an elevator with no memory, surrounded by other boys in a contained area called the Glade. Beyond the Glade lies the Maze — a massive, shifting labyrinth filled with monstrous creatures called Grievers. The boys have been trying to solve the Maze for years. Thomas’s arrival changes everything.
The novel’s success lay in its video-game-like structure — each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, each revelation opens new questions — and its appeal to readers (particularly boys) who might not be drawn to the more character-driven YA dystopias of Suzanne Collins or Veronica Roth. The Scorch Trials (2010) and The Death Cure (2011) completed the main trilogy, followed by two prequels: The Kill Order (2012) and The Fever Code (2016).
Films and Controversy
The Maze Runner films — The Maze Runner (2014), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018) — were commercially successful, with Dylan O’Brien starring as Thomas. The films took significant liberties with the source material, particularly in the sequels, but maintained the franchise’s core appeal.
In 2018, Dashner was accused of sexual harassment by multiple individuals in the YA community, and he was dropped by his literary agent and publisher. The accusations significantly damaged his public career and standing in the YA community.
Key Works
- The Maze Runner (2009)
- The Scorch Trials (2010)
- The Death Cure (2011)
- The Kill Order (2012)
Collecting Dashner
The Maze Runner first edition (Delacorte Press, 2009) is the primary collectible — first printings in fine condition bring $50–$200, signed copies $100–$300. The first printing is identified by the standard Random House number line. Advance Reading Copies are scarce and bring $50–$150. The sequels are readily available and modestly priced. Signed editions were produced for several titles. The 2018 controversy has complicated Dashner’s place in the market — some YA collectors have moved away from his work, though the books continue to sell steadily in the general market.