Donald James MacHale is an American writer, director, and executive producer. He has been affiliated with shows such as Are You Afraid of the Dark?, Flight 29 Down, and Seasonal Differences. MacHale is also the author of the popular young adult book series, Pendragon and Morpheus Road.

MacHale was raised in Greenwich, CT and graduated from Greenwich High School. While in school, he had several jobs including collecting eggs at a poultry farm, engraving sports trophies, and washing dishes in a steakhouse, in between playing football and running track. He then attended New York University where he received a BFA in film production.

His filmmaking career began in New York where he worked as a freelance writer/director, making corporate videos and television commercials. He also taught photography and film production.

D.J. broke into the entertainment business by writing several ABC Afterschool Specials.