About James Beckley
James Beckley is a Surrey-based author, former NHS manager, vintage toy dealer, occasional TV and radio contributor, aspiring extra and, increasingly, someone wondering how all of this happened.
For 21 years, James worked for the NHS, starting out as a Band 2 clerk and eventually becoming a Band 7 manager. In 2026, that chapter came to an unexpected end when he was made redundant after more than two decades of service.
Expect a book about that one at some point. An exposé? Perhaps. Names may have to be changed to protect the guilty.
Writing, however, has become the real dream.
Although stories and ideas had been rattling around inside his head for most of his life, James didn’t seriously begin writing books until his forties. In October 2024, he finally took the leap and self-published The Boy She Left Behind, a deeply personal memoir and tribute to his mum, who passed away in May 2022.
That book opened a door that James hasn’t managed — or wanted — to close since.
What began with one deeply personal story rapidly grew into memoirs, supernatural fiction, romance, comedy, horror, children’s books, nostalgia, music, time travel and several books that stubbornly refuse to fit neatly into any category.
James has now published 16 books:
The Boy She Left Behind
Nanny Grace
Living In A Jukebox
I’m Still Here
When Squirrel Met Panda
Sad Song
Bittersweet
Nanny Stairs
When Squirrel & Panda Met Santa
Ooh La La
Bittersweet 2
Strawberry Lane Forever
The Prat In The Hat
Through A Dirty Window
Bum Bot!
Dreamweavers
And apparently sixteen isn’t enough.
There are currently at least 21 more books in the pipeline or various stages of development, including sequels, children’s stories, supernatural adventures, comedies, memoirs and a few ideas that even James isn’t entirely sure how to describe yet.
Alongside the writing, 2026 has brought another new adventure: Think Outside The Box, James’s vintage toy business, rescuing, cleaning, restoring and finding new homes for toys and collectables from childhoods gone by.
He’s also become something of a recurring guest on Danny Wallace’s Important Broadcast, has appeared on BBC Points of View, and is hoping to continue doing more television, radio and extras/supporting-artist work whenever somebody is willing to put him in front of a camera.
Life away from the keyboard is rarely quiet. James shares it with his wife, two daughters, a prospective son-in-law, two dogs and a colourful collection of tropical fish — while remaining a lifelong Tottenham Hotspur supporter, music obsessive and collector of far too many things from the 1980s.
But writing is the bit that changed everything.
What started as a way of putting memories and ideas onto paper has turned into something James never really expected: a genuine second act.
Sixteen published books. More than twenty more being planned or written. Characters, sequels and entire worlds still waiting their turn.
The ambition now is simple: keep going.
To reach more readers. To keep improving. To tell stories people remember. Perhaps one day to attract the attention of a traditional publisher, television producer or filmmaker.
And, most importantly, to see just how far this slightly ridiculous writing adventure can go.
As long as people keep reading, buying, reviewing, sharing and supporting the books, James intends to keep writing them.
Because, after waiting more than forty years to properly start, he’s got an awful lot of catching up to do.
And there is much, much more to come.