Author, Editor, Educator, Enthusiast

I have spent my entire life immersed in the world of books whether reading, writing or editing them. Feel free to explore this website to get a better understanding of the non-fiction books I’ve authored, magazine and newspaper articles I’ve written, classes I teach and the documentaries I’ve worked on. To learn more about the Editorial Consulting Services I offer scroll down or click on the link. You’ll quickly see why I consider myself Author, Editor, Educator and Enthusiast. And if you’d like to know more, you can contact me here.

Editorial Consulting Services

I provide editorial consulting services including manuscript development and assessment for first-time as well as established authors. Whether you need a commercial assessment of your novel, memoir or non-fiction book; an editor to polish your manuscript; or a ghostwriter to help tell your story, I bring nearly 30 years of professional writing experience to your editorial project.  With four non-fiction books to my name, over a hundred newspaper and magazine articles in print, years working in the book-publishing, newspaper, and magazine industries (not to mention my experience as a university writing instructor), my personal, hands-on approach can help you achieve your writing goals.

Author

I am the author of four non-fiction books (Operation Storm; Hear Today, Gone Tomorrow; When Giants Ruled the Sky; and White Elephant Technology) with a fifth under contract as well as written numerous newspaper and magazine articles on a variety of topics for various publications including The New York Times and WIRED magazine.

Upcoming Events

Click here to visit the Upcoming Events page for details on John’s classes, courses and talks.

Happening right now!

White Elephant Technology: Unusual Inventions that Failed in the Marketplace

  • Tue, Apr 15, 2025 10:00 AM Tue, Jun 10, 2025 11:40 AM

  • University of San Francisco, Fromm Institute (map)

From jeeps that flew to tanks that shouldn’t; from a jet-powered train that nearly shook itself apart to a wave-powered boat that took forever to reach its destination—an entertaining look at unusual inventions that failed in the marketplace despite their innovative nature. Intended to inform, amuse and delight, this historical survey course will not only demonstrate how technology sometimes leads us astray but will have you shaking your head, wondering: “What in the world were they thinking?” Lavishly illustrated with photos and film clips, each of the 8 in-person, 90-minute classes will be broadcast live on Zoom and recorded for later viewing.