Stuart Hill was born in Leicester, in the East Midlands of England, where he still resides. His family heritage is diverse, including English, Irish, Romany, and Jewish roots. During his school years, his academic performance was average, but he was inspired by a teacher who nurtured his enduring passion for reading.

After completing his education, Hill worked both as a teacher and an archaeologist. He currently balances his time between being a bookseller and a writer. His debut novel, The Cry of the Icemark, is dedicated to his sister Kathleen, whom he lost to leukemia during his teenage years. The novel tells the story of a courageous young warrior-queen and won the Ottakar's Prize for the best new children's novel.