David
Hartley
The Devil's Elbow
~ coming in November 2026 ~
~ Glossop & Todmorden ~
// a re:shape x d.a.o.s production \\
In the Longdendale Valley, just east of Glossop, there is a bend in the Woodhead Road known as The Devil's Elbow. Much has happened here that cannot be easily explained. Happenings, presences, encounters, phenomena.
This will all be explored much further in due course. For now, we want to hear from you. What have you seen that you can't quite explain? In the skies, in the shadows, in the corner of your eye?
Go here and let us know: The Devil's Elbow Website
Writer, Performer, Artist, Editor, Tutor
I write strange stories about strange things for strange people. I am preoccupied by animals, neurodiversity, folklore, and untapped possibilities of storytelling forms. I've performed my work within bus stations, ancient libraries, decaying edgelands, a Swedish train station, and among a forest of tattooed bodies. I have collaborated with spectral musicians, Estonian performance artists, and a plant orchestra. I'm always interested in creative partnerships. Get in touch with me below.
~ PhD Creative Writing, University of Manchester
~ Fauna (Fly on the Wall Press) - short story collection
~ Incorcisms (Arachne Press) - short(er) story collection
~ Writer-in-Residence: Tartu, Estonia, 2024: 'The Forest of Ink & Skin'
~ Lead artist: 'The Embassy of Utopia', Festival of Libraries 2024 & 2025
~ Workshop Tutor for 'Beyond the Spectrum' with Writing East Midlands
~ Editor: Obscura: New Uncanny Tales (Comma Press)
~ Former lecturer in Creative Writing, The University of Manchester
Picture: Nic Chapman
Sample Stories
