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John McDonald was born in the Republic of Ireland. He was educated at St. Mary’s Academy-Carlow, Carlow Regional College and later at Beaumont College and the South Bank University, London. John studied English and Economics at school, but always wanted to write, editing school mags and writing articles, poetry and essays for a variety of periodicals and newspapers. It’s probably easier to list the jobs John hasn’t worked at than those he has. During college years, he worked in a dairy, a garage, as a barman and with gypsies, tarmacing and breaking horses. He’s been a gym instructor, a bouncer, an analyst in the City of London and he’s worked in a sugar factory and an iron foundry – all “means to an end” – that end being, of course, writing.

John’s writing began in earnest in the theatre. During the 80’s, he hung round London’s fringe, writing and boozing with actors, writers, directors and other such low-life. He was privileged to know Verity Bargate, that wonderful woman who gave many young playwrights their first chance at the Soho Poly Theatre. The ‘Poly’ was widely regarded as a writer’s theatre and John’s first play – Otherwise Kill Me – caused much controversy there. The play transferred to Paris and was followed by – The January Man and Colours, which was adapted as an award-winning TV drama.

Teaching and ghost-writing followed, with John working for several colleges and teaching all aspects of creative writing. He also ‘ghosted’ novels and biographies for businessmen, politicians and media people (titles and names are covered by copyright).

John’s first novel under his own name – Tribe – was published in hardback in 1999 and in paperback in 2000. Tribe was published in the US in 2002 and was Publishers Weekly’s ‘Book of the Week’. Tribe is currently attracting the attention of the film industry and Tribe-The Movie is in development and a 1st draft screenplay has been written. John’s second novel – Talking to God – was published in 2001 and a screenplay is in the pipeline. A third novel – Childeyes – has recently been completed and John is hoping this book (a political anti-thriller, set in Washington DC) will be published in 2008, in time for the US presidential election and the huge global marketing opportunity this event will provide. Two other books – Almost Weightless and Foreverland – are at various stages of completion.

John McDonald is married, with two sons and lives in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

He is a member of The Society of Authors.

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Some reviews :-

“McDonald is an explorer of courage and a writer of immense talent” – The Irish Times.

“McDonald’s prose is rich and thick and magically poetic…” – The Sunday Independent.

“[his] intense prose is refreshing…it’s hard contemporary pace satisfies. A compelling if not unnerving novel…” – The Irish Post.

“McDonald’s insight allows the reader into a different world and is notable as much for its language as for its examination of things past, and things to come” – The Belfast Telegraph.

“McDonald has a distinctive and beguiling way with words …” – Books Ireland.

“…gritty…hard-hitting…cutting edge…” – The Writer’s News.

“…second book from the hugely talented John F McDonald…McDonald makes powerful use of the unspoken…the complete objectivity of his writing has the effect of changing the moral basis for decisions regarding right and wrong” – The Leinster Express.

“The author writes with blood-flecked intensity and narrative talent” – The Mayo News.

“McDonald’s writing is top class and makes putting down his book to get on with life an irritating activity”. – The Irish Post.

“Talking to God is probably as authentic an insight into mental illness as we’re likely to get from an author who appears to be reasonably sane” – Books Ireland.

“…the language is distinct and attractive…McDonald is comparable to Chuck Palahniuk, Anthony Burgess and even William Trevor…reading him is like going out for a drink with a stranger in a foreign country”– Publisher’s Weekly.

“John F McDonald gives readers the greatest compliment, by trusting them to have intelligence and wit. His writing is full of energy, dramatic tension and humour – just like the author himself. I wonder if the patrons of his local pub know that there’s a genius beside them at the bar” – Pat Walsh – US Author, Editor and Critic.