Before becoming a novelist, J.M. Roach's previous storytelling took place in the world of film. He has worked as a screenwriter and editor on many projects. In 2003, he formed his own production company, where he would produce and direct several short films as well as two features. His film, The Devil's Gravestone, is available in numerous countries and has been translated into five languages. In 2013, he began work on his first novel, Childhood Games.