David-Matthew Barnes

David-Matthew Barnes is an author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily young adult, romance, thriller, and horror. He is the author of twelve novels, five produced screenplays, three collections of poetry, and more than sixty stage plays. David-Matthew wrote and directed the coming-of-age independent film 'Frozen Stars' (starring Lana Parrilla), which is available via Netflix DVD. In 2020, David-Matthew's acclaimed screenplay 'Boxcar' (Dutch title: 'Wagon') was produced by Kupenda Films and Revolver Amsterdam and directed by Dutch filmmaker Coen Haver. For his script, David-Matthew received the award for Best Short Screenplay at the New Renaissance Film Festival in Amsterdam, the award for Best Short Script at the Play Film Festival in Paris, the award for Best Short Screenplay at the Sunday Shorts Film Festival in London, and a Los Angeles Film Award for Best Drama Screenplay. 'Boxcar' is available from Cinetree. For his dramatic screenplay 'Made From Scratch', David-Matthew was named the Grand Prize Jury Winner at Film Invasion L. A. To date, David-Matthew has written more than sixty stage plays that have been performed in three languages in eleven countries. His scripts and monologues are available from Blue Dasher Press, Brooklyn Publishers, Drama Notebook, Performer Stuff, Playscripts, and Smith and Kraus.

His short play 'Shallow End' (which explores the impact sexual assault has on two teenagers) was named a top 15 finalist for the 2020 Billy Roche International Short Play Award.

Singer Tori Amos sang "Happy Birthday" to him on his 22nd birthday.