John Reynolds is a New Zealand born retired academic and freelance writer of screenplays, novels and musicals.
He qualified as a teacher and spent a number of years teaching overseas in England, Saskatchewan Canada, Rhodesia/Zimbabwe, and Australia. During that time he travelled widely through eastern Europe during the Cold War, South Africa under apartheid and throughout North America.
He gained an MA from San Jose State University, California with the support of a Creative New Zealand grant, and a PhD from the University of Auckland: an in-depth study of the life and works of pioneer New Zealand filmmaker John O’Shea.
John has retired from full-time employment and now focusses on his writing. He also narrates audiobooks for Blind and Low Vision NZ (formerly the New Zealand Blind Institute.)
John has co-authored five full length musicals with local writers Gary Daverne, Shade Smith and Mal Smith: Robyn Hood Outlaw Princess, Starblaze, Valley of the Voodons, Windust, Sink the Warrior and Pirates and Petticoats.
John has written five novels. His latest crime novel is Low Flying, a story of action, love, and betrayal, set in NZ, Russia, and Afghanistan, that draws on his travels and his flying experience. He has also narrated Low Flying, and an earlier novel Uncommon Enemy, as audiobooks. He is currently completing his autobiography. All his novels are available on Amazon.com.
His wife Bess has also written a book for young children titled Silly Sebastian.
John and Bess live in Torbay near their five grandchildren. He enjoys giving author talks to community and special interest groups.