James Stafford was born in Cardiff, Wales and raised in Barry. He has lived in Plymouth, Dublin, London and Prague.
James’s first release was The Sorrowful Putto of Prague (2017). Published in Czech under the title Truchlivý amoret pražský by respected literary publishers Argo, the book was an anthology of his online comic and received widespread acclaim across Czech media. The collection even drew praise from Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson, who supplied a blurb for the book’s cover.
In 2021, James published An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby (Polaris Publishing). The book was an instant success and updated editions were released in 2022 and 2024. The title was to be the first in a trilogy and was followed by An Illustrated History of English Rugby (2023) and An Illustrated History of Rugby Rebels, Role Models and Giant Killers (2023).
In 2021 James released a unique children’s book on rugby with artist Carys Feehan. Published by Y Lolfa. How Wales Beat the Mighty All Blacks sold out within a month of hitting the shops and was reprinted in time to be a Christmas national bestseller in Wales (Book Council of Wales charts).
James is co-author of Ragby (2023), the most comprehensive book on the sport of rugby published in Central Europe. Commissioned by Czech publishers Labyrint, the book was nominated for multiple national design, art and publishing awards. It was shortlisted at the Magnesia Litera awards, the most prestigious book awards in the Czech Republic.
James is the founder of cult rugby website The East Terrace (founded 2004) and has written on sport for a range of national and regional newspapers, magazines and websites. In 2023, James co-wrote Bleddyn, a unique comic book about the 1953 Cardiff rugby team.
In August 2024, James released Unbelievable Underdogs and Rebellious Role Models: Sporting Heroes Who Defied the Odds and Shocked the World (Polaris Publishing), an inspiring collection of biographies on sporting greats aimed at a young adult audience.
In 2025 James will publish Wonderful Welsh Sporting Heroes with Y Lolfa. Written for younger readers, the book will celebrate famous and not-so-famous sporting heroes from Wales from sports as diverse as ice swimming, rugby and wheelchair racing.
James has written a series of children’s books and is currently looking for publishers for these titles. You can learn more about James’s available work by getting in touch.
