John was born in Ireland on a small farm in the Midlands. He studied geology at University College Galway, where he joined the University of Galway Drama Society writing and directing plays as well as writing short stories. In 1979 he immigrated to Calgary, Canada, to pursue his professional career as a geologist. Since retirement in 2017 he has rekindled his love of writing and has completed several short stories. His short story ‘Treasure’ has been accepted for publication in The New Quarterly.
John recently completed his first novel (unpublished – as yet) SPECK. Page one of SPECK received honourable mention in the Gutsy Great Novelist Page One competition of 2022. John is a member of the Alexandra Writer’s Society and the Writer’s Guild of Alberta. SPECK is his first novel.

A good story, well told
In 1979 he immigrated to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to pursue his professional career as a Geologist.
Since retirement in 2017 he has rekindled his love of writing and has completed several short stories. His short story ‘Treasure’ has been accepted for publication in The New Quarterly literary journal and will be published later this year.




John recently completed his first novel (unpublished – as yet) – SPECK. Page one of SPECK received honourable mention in the Gusty Great Novelist Page One competition of 2022. John is an active member of the Alexandra Writer’s Society and the Writer’s Guild of Alberta. SPECK is his first novel.
John recently completed his first novel (unpublished – as yet) – SPECK. Page one of SPECK received honourable mention in the Gusty Great Novelist Page One competition of 2022. John is an active member of the Alexandra Writer’s Society and the Writer’s Guild of Alberta. SPECK is his first novel.
