JOHN'S background
A lawyer and entrepreneur, John and his wife, Laura, reside in Atlanta, Georgia. They have three adult children. An avid reader, John dabbled with writing while in high school at The Lawrenceville School and at the University of Virginia. He published an article on The Strategic Defense Initiative while at the University of Georgia School of Law. He began writing in his free time in the 90s. Longstreet Press published his first novel, Runaway, a technothriller about global warming, in 2001.
John enjoys golf, fishing, tennis, photography and kayaking. He is a member of Northside United Methodist Church, Broadleaf Writers Association and the Bonefish Tarpon Trust. One of nine children, John grew up with an appreciation of family and an avid interest in sports. John’s father, the late Dan Topping, owned the New York Yankees for 22 years, winning 15 pennants and 10 World Series. His stepfather, the late Rankin Smith, owned the Atlanta Falcons.
john's favorite books
lord of the rings
by J.R.R. Tolkien
In the Fantasy genre, Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is an all-time favorite. One of the most popular books of all time, it is the standard against which fantasy novels are judged. Enough said.
Additional favorites:
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula K. LeGuin
foundation trilogy
by isaac asimov
In the Science Fiction genre, Isaac Asimov's Foundation Trilogy is a classic and my favorite of his many works. Few novels match its scope, ambition, and vision for humanity's future.
Additional favorites:
Dune by Frank Herbert
Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
the hunger games
by suzanne collins
In the Young Adult genre, The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins is one of my favorites. Katniss Everdeen is a compelling protagonist, and the series combines action, adventure, and difficult moral choices in a story that resonates with both young adults and adult readers.
Additional favorites:
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
recent reads - See blog
After completing my first draft of The Oracle of Atlantis, I read Circe and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. Both are beautifully written novels steeped in Greek mythology. While neither ranks among my all-time favorites, I thoroughly enjoyed them and how Miller blends ancient mythology with modern storytelling. Circe also appears as a character in The Oracle of Atlantis, although my interpretation of the legendary enchantress differs significantly from Miller's. With Greek mythology playing a central role in my Atlantis Trilogy, Miller's novels deepened my appreciation for the stories and characters that have captivated readers for thousands of years.
Contact
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