Picture a British storyteller who turned childhood vampire tales into a heart-pounding saga—meet Will Hill! From the rugged coastlines of North East England, Hill spun his fascination with horror and fantasy into the electrifying Department 19 series, blending gore, action, and emotional depth. His work has captivated young adult readers, proving that vampires don’t need to sparkle to steal the show.
With a knack for crafting thrilling narratives, Hill has become a standout in young adult horror and fantasy. His debut novel, Department 19, introduced a secret vampire-hunting agency, while his later work, After the Fire, tackled the haunting aftermath of a cult. Let’s dive into the life and legacy of this master of suspense!
The Making of Will Hill
Born in the late 1970s in Lincolnshire, Will Hill grew up immersed in the vampire mythology that permeated North East England. From tales of bloodsuckers to spooky coastal legends, his childhood fueled a lifelong love for horror. Before becoming a full-time writer, Hill juggled jobs as a bartender, bookseller, and charity worker, eventually working in publishing. This eclectic path gave him a keen eye for storytelling, and in 2011, he quit his day job to unleash Department 19, his breakout novel.
Hill’s transition to writing wasn’t just a career shift—it was a bold leap into a world he’d been crafting in his mind for years. Inspired by classics like Bram Stoker’s Dracula, he set out to reimagine vampire lore for a modern teen audience, blending historical intrigue with high-octane action.
Will Hill’s Unforgettable Stories
Hill’s Department 19 series, spanning five novels from 2011 to 2015, is his crowning achievement. The series follows Jamie Carpenter, a teen thrust into a secret government agency founded by Abraham Van Helsing to battle vampires, including the infamous Dracula. Packed with UV grenades, stake launchers, and visceral gore, the books—like Department 19 (2011) and The Rising (2012)—deliver relentless thrills while exploring themes of loss, loyalty, and redemption.
Beyond the series, Hill’s After the Fire (2017) showcases his versatility. This standalone novel, inspired by the 1993 Waco siege, follows a teen girl escaping a religious cult. Praised for its emotional depth, it won the 2018 YA Book Prize and earned a Carnegie Medal nomination. Hill’s style is cinematic, weaving historical flashbacks, complex characters, and heart-wrenching stakes that keep readers hooked.
His Department 19 Files, a collection of short stories like The Devil in No Man’s Land (2013), offer gritty historical snapshots of the agency’s past. Whether it’s war-torn battlefields or vampire-infested cities, Hill’s knack for blending horror with humanity sets him apart in the young adult genre.
Why Will Hill Matters
Will Hill’s impact lies in his ability to reinvent young adult horror and fantasy for a new generation. By stripping vampires of romantic clichés and grounding his stories in real-world emotions, he’s crafted tales that resonate with teens and adults alike. His work has inspired a loyal fanbase, with readers praising his vivid world-building and unflinching intensity.
Hill’s influence extends beyond books. His exploration of trauma in After the Fire has sparked conversations about resilience and recovery, while his action-packed series has set a high bar for genre storytelling. Living in East London with his partner and two cats, Hill continues to write, leaving fans eager for his next chilling tale.
- Born: Late 1970s, Lincolnshire, England
- Key Works: Department 19 (2011), After the Fire (2017)
- Awards: 2018 YA Book Prize for After the Fire
- Fun Fact: Hill is a self-proclaimed cat lover and spider-fearer!
Ready for a thrilling ride? Snag Department 19 and dive into Will Hill’s blood-soaked, action-packed world!