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John Edward Lawson

Goodreads Author

Born

in Washington, D.C., The United States

Website

http://www.johnlawson.org

Twitter

bizarroguy

Genre

Literature & Fiction, Poetry, Horror

Influences

Linda Addison, Clive Barker, Wing Shing Ma, Chanwook Park, Shinya Tsuk ...more

Member Since

June 2007

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John Edward Lawson is the author of 16 books of fiction and poetry, and numerous chapbooks. Over 500 of his poems, stories, and articles have been published in magazines, anthologies, literary journals, and newspapers worldwide. He has been called “The forgotten black man of horror,” but he also regularly publishes science fiction, bizarro, mystery/thrillers, and literary fiction.

John was a winner of the 2001 Fiction International Emerging Writers Competition; in addition to being a finalist for the Stoker Award (2006, Superior Achievement in Poetry) and the Wonderland Award for Bizarro Fiction (2007, collected fiction), other award nominations include two for the Dwarf Stars Award, the Elgin Award, the Pushcart Prize, two for the Rhysling John Edward Lawson is the author of 16 books of fiction and poetry, and numerous chapbooks. Over 500 of his poems, stories, and articles have been published in magazines, anthologies, literary journals, and newspapers worldwide. He has been called “The forgotten black man of horror,” but he also regularly publishes science fiction, bizarro, mystery/thrillers, and literary fiction.

John was a winner of the 2001 Fiction International Emerging Writers Competition; in addition to being a finalist for the Stoker Award (2006, Superior Achievement in Poetry) and the Wonderland Award for Bizarro Fiction (2007, collected fiction), other award nominations include two for the Dwarf Stars Award, the Elgin Award, the Pushcart Prize, two for the Rhysling Award, and honorable mention for the 2015 Wonderland Award.

As an editor John is co-founder of Raw Dog Screaming Press, recognized by the Horror Writers Association in 2019 with their Specialty Press Award. He spent four years as editor-in-chief of The Dream People online literary journal of bizarro fiction and poetry. Other editorial projects include three print anthologies, four e-anthologies, and freelance work for such companies as National Lampoon and Double Dragon Publishing.

You can encounter John traveling the USA for book tours, panel discussions, speaking engagements, and leading workshops for organizations and universities. Topics he specializes in are entrepreneurship, productivity, publishing, writing, and disenfranchised communties in the arts. When he’s not on the road you’ll find John managing Broadkill Writers Resort where he regularly hosts writing retreats and specialized workshops at the beach on Delaware Bay. He is also founder of AllAccessCon, an event organizing company for making virtual and hybrid convention space available to attendees, vendors, and event sponsors.

John currently serves as vice president of Diverse Writers and Artists of Speculative Fiction. Other organizations he is a member of the Horror Writers Association, International Association of Innovation Professionals, Internet Marketers Association, and Nonfiction Authors Association.

Since a young age John has been involved in the visual arts. As a photographer John’s photography has been used as cover art for books, in marketing campaigns, and as home decor. He has also participated in the production of numerous short films, including award winners Party Girl and Uberman: An Experiment in Consciousness. Director Jayson Densman collaborated with John spawning a trilogy of PoVids derived from his poetry. His music project, Rage Inducer, has released seven singles and EPs with several more recorded and ready for distribution.

As a storyteller reviewers have compared John to J. G. Ballard, Clive Barker, Donald Barthelme, Ray Bradbury, William Burroughs, Wes Craven, David Cronenberg, R. Crumb, James Herbert, Shaun Hutson, John Irving, Franz Kafka, Sarah Kane, HP Lovecraft, the Marx Brothers, Carlton Mellick III, Monty Python, Vladimir Nabokov, George Orwell, Chuck Palahniuk, Johnathan Swift, Walter Tevis, and Kurt Vonnegut. If any of this sounds good to you please consider investigating his books. ...more

509 posts
John Edward Lawson's Blog

Come With Me to…The Realm

Have you heard of the award-winning author named L. Marie Wood? She’s got a new novel about to drop just before Halloween. You can grab the pre-order at my Amazon affiliate link or keep reading for more info!

About the Book

[image error] The Real m

You thought you were dead.

Waking up and looking all around you, you realize all you learned about The Afterlife was a fantasy. You don’t know whe

Combine Editions
John Edward Lawson’s books

Average rating: 3.93 · 1,065 ratings · 143 reviews · 49 distinct works

	The Troublesome Amputee 3.98 avg rating — 63 ratings — published 2006 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Sick: An Anthology of Illness by John Edward Lawson (Goodreads Author) (Editor), Tim Curran, Abel Diaz 3.54 avg rating — 41 ratings — published 2003 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Last Burn in Hell: Director's Cut really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 30 ratings — published 2005 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Discouraging at Best 3.89 avg rating — 28 ratings — published 2007 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Child's Guide to Death by John Edward Lawson (Goodreads Author), Dustin LaValley, Darin Malfi (Illustrator) 4.55 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2007 — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Suipsalms 4.50 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2012 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Pocket Full of Loose Razorblades 4.31 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2005	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tempting Disaster 3.82 avg rating — 17 ratings — published 2005 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Devil Entendre 4.50 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Horrible 4.40 avg rating — 10 ratings — published 2005 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by John Edward Lawson…

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
The Next Best Boo...: Your Latest Splurge	9362	13910	May 12, 2013 11:23AM
The Mystery, Crim...: * Historical Crime General Discussion	401	1170	Oct 28, 2017 04:18AM

John’s Quotes

“Feet sandaled with dreams tread paths of vision leading to wisdom’s sharp peaks.”
― Aberjhani, The River of Winged Dreams

tags: angel-poems, dreams, faith, famous-quotes-from-classic-books, haiku, haikus, healing, hope, inspirational-quotes, metaphysical, poem-in-your-pocket-day, positive-motivation, vision-dream, visions, wisdom

29 likes

“Reality is shaped by the forces that destroy it.”
― D. Harlan Wilson, The Kyoto Man

tags: cultural-theory, fantasy, horror, humor, literary, postmodern, science-fiction

73 likes

“Ideas are like fish. If you want to catch little fish, you can stay in the shallow water. But if you want to catch the big fish, you’ve got to go deeper. Down deep, the fish are more powerful and more pure.They’re huge and abstract. And they’re very beautiful.”
― David Lynch, Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity

262 likes

“A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.”
― Steve Martin

tags: humor, obvious, simile

35261 likes

“I'd just be the catcher in the rye and all. I know it's crazy, but that's the only thing I'd really like to be. I know it's crazy.”
― J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

tags: crazy, salinger

1191 likes

More of John’s quotes…

John’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-40) post a comment »

date

newest »

message 40: by Ꮗ€♫◗☿ ❤️

Nov 03, 2019 01:17PM

Thanks for being my friend.
I look forward to our interactions!
*Wendy Curtsies

reply | flag

message 39: by Dale (last edited Jul 19, 2014 05:16PM)

Apr 22, 2014 12:26PM

John, thank you for the Goodreads friend connect.
Wishing you the very best!

reply | flag

message 38: by John

Jul 05, 2013 06:26AM

Stephen wrote: "Thanks for the add... you look busy. LOL"

Ha, I am! But I'm always interested in meeting new authors and readers on GR. Hope you had a great July 4th!

reply | flag

message 37: by Stephen

Jul 04, 2013 01:29PM

Thanks for the add... you look busy. LOL

reply | flag

message 36: by John

Jun 07, 2013 10:28AM

Susie wrote: "thanks, for the add!"

My Pleasure, Susie :)

reply | flag

message 35: by Susie

Jun 07, 2013 09:51AM

thanks, for the add!

reply | flag

message 34: by Eric

Jul 26, 2012 09:22AM

Thank you for becoming goodreads friend.
Eric

reply | flag

message 33: by Aparajitabasu

Apr 15, 2012 06:04AM

I'm hosting a twitter party today right now, if you have time then please participate, till will run till 10:00am EST.

The party details at - http://tourzdecodex.blogspot.in/2012/...

the twitter party just began, visit the chatroom here -

http://tweetchat.com/room/zero2fourkids

reply | flag

message 32: by Christine

Jan 23, 2012 06:35AM

good morning

reply | flag

message 31: by Kristy

Oct 04, 2010 10:19AM

Hey nerd! I was hoping to see you at Horrorfind back in September but alas, you were nowhere to be found. Any chance you'll make it to Rock & Shock?

reply | flag

message 30: by Harlequin Books

Jun 11, 2010 09:51AM

Hi John, it's a pleasure to meet you.

reply | flag

message 29: by Dawn

Aug 12, 2009 05:51PM

Thanks for being my friend. I was just in DC for The RWA National. It's a great place. Your books look good and scarey...perfect for fall reading.

reply | flag

message 28: by Kristy

Jun 09, 2009 02:03PM

I'm still outside your window... I'm just broadening my on-line horizons.

I was glad to find you on here too. I like to give props to the authors I really enjoy!

reply | flag

message 27: by D.A.

May 20, 2009 02:51PM

Hello, John.

My new book, The 9 Ghosts of Samen's Bane, is available now at amazon.com and target.com. Have a great day.

The 9 Ghosts of Samen's Bane [image error]

reply | flag

message 26: by Lincoln

Apr 16, 2009 12:48PM

Hey, J.E.!

Sorry I haven't finished your book yet -- but I'm working on it... I just can't get a minute to myself these days! I cannot WAIT to get some beach-read time in this year (ANY beach... even RADIATION beach, at this point)! LOL

LP

reply | flag

message 25: by D.A.

Feb 10, 2009 06:06AM

Thanks for adding me. The first chapters of Avenging Autumn and The Wintermen are on my profile now.

reply | flag

message 24: by Saleh

Dec 24, 2008 10:03AM

Hi.What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?PLZ Answer The Question In My Profile.

reply | flag

message 23: by Cristina

Dec 08, 2008 03:51PM

thanks for the add! :)

reply | flag

message 22: by Chel ♪

Dec 05, 2008 03:20PM

hey John
Thanks for adding me
smiles =D
Chel

reply | flag

message 21: by Ramin_lion

Dec 05, 2008 08:08AM

How do you know that you are in the year 2008?

چه جوری میفهمی که الان در سال 2008 هستی؟؟
--------------------------------------------------------
1) You find out that your family that is not more than 3 people have 4 or 5 mobile telephone numbers.
یهو نگاه میکنی میبینی خانواده ات که 3 نفر بیشتر نیستن ؛ 4 یا 5 خط موبایل دارن
--------------------------------------------------------
2) You send an Email to a work colleague even though he/she is sitting at a desk right next to yours.
واسه همکارت ایمیل میفرستی در حالی که میز بغل دستی تو نشسته
--------------------------------------------------------
3) Your relationship with family members and friends that have no Email gets worse and you hardly contact them.
رابطه ات با اقوام و دوستانی که آدرس ایمیل ندارن رو به وخامت میره و تو به سختی میتونی باهاشون ارتباط داشته باشی
--------------------------------------------------------
4) You park your car outside your house then use your mobile to phone the house to ask for assistance with carrying the shopping in.
شما ماشینتون رو جلوی خونه تون پارک میکنین ..بعدش موبایلتون رو در میارین و به خونه زنگ میزنین که بیان کمک و چیزایی که خریدین رو از ماشین پیاده کنن .
--------------------------------------------------------
5) Every TV advert has an internet address at the bottom of the screen..
هر آگهی تلویزیونی یه آدرس اینترنتی هم زیرش داره
--------------------------------------------------------
6) Leaving the house without taking your mobile phone with you makes you really stress and rush back to pick it up even though you managed to live without one for 20 or 30 years of your life.
وقتی خونه رو بدون همراه داشتن موبایلتون ترک میکنین باعث میشه استرس تمام وجودتون رو بگیره و دوباره با عجله برگردین خونه تا ورش دارین در حالی که قبلا بدون موبایل 20-30 سال از عمرتون رو گذروندین و بدون هیچ مشکلی
--------------------------------------------------------
8) As soon as you wake up in the morning you check the internet even before you have your coffee.
صبحها قبل از خوردن چایی و قهوه تون تا بلند میشین اولین کاری که میکنین سر زدن به اینترنت هست
--------------------------------------------------------
9) You are now reading this, smiling and shaking your head.
شما الان در حالی که این ایمیل رو میخونین سرتون رو تکون میدین و لبخند میزنین ...
--------------------------------------------------------
10) You are so busy reading this that you didn’t even notice that this list has no number 7.
و این قدر سرگرم خوندن این ایمیل بودین که حتی توجه نکردین که این لیست شماره 7 نداشت ..
--------------------------------------------------------
11) You went back up to check that there is no number 7.
شما دوباره برگشتین تا چک کنین که شماره 7 رو داشته یا نه؟
--------------------------------------------------------
12) I am sure if you scrolled up that you will find number 7, its just that you didn’t notice it.
و من مطمئنم که اگه شما دوباره به بالا برگردین حتما شماره 7 رو پیدا میکنین ...این مال اینه که شما بهش توجه نکردین
--------------------------------------------------------
13) You scrolled up again but you did not find number 7. I am making fun of you of course, this goes to show that you have no trust in yourself and that you believe anything said to you.
شما دوباره بر میگردین بالا ولی باز هم شماره 7 رو پیدا نمیکنین .. البته که من با شما شوخی کردم و این نشون میده که شما به خودتون هم اعتماد نمیکنین و هرچی بقیه بگن باور میکنین

reply | flag

message 20: by Ramin_lion

Nov 26, 2008 10:48AM

Hi John. Thanks so much for the add

درود
شاد شدم ؛ از اينكه دوستي مرا فراخواند
اميدوارم دوستان خوبي براي يكديگر باشيم
سپاسگزارم
بدرود

reply | flag

message 19: by William

Nov 17, 2008 11:00AM

Hey John
Look forward to talking books
William Elliott Hazelgrove
http://www.billhazelgrove.com
http://myspace.com/rocketmanbook

Rocket Man by William Elliott Hazelgrove

reply | flag

message 18: by iyan

Nov 08, 2008 02:17AM

HeLLo...thanKs so MucH foR tHe iNVitE...wiSh moRe UseFULL 4 me ^_^

reply | flag

message 17: by Rosemary

Nov 06, 2008 05:54AM

John, thanks so much for the invitation. You have a provactive line-up of books. I'm especially intrigued by A Child's Guide to Death.

reply | flag

message 16: by Dianne

Nov 01, 2008 05:29AM

Thanks for adding me to your friends, John. It's great to meet an editor who must understand the author's viewpoint too - cause he's been there!

Dianne Ascroft,
www.geocities.com/dianne_ascroft

reply | flag

message 15: by Roger

Oct 31, 2008 01:22PM

Aha,
You're the guy from Raw Dog Press that I was advised to contact regarding a number of my projects. I DO have a publisher for SOME of my crime thrillers but thus far, no takers on the horror and science fiction.
Thanks for the friendship on Goodreads and drop me a line here or on corkfilms@hotmail.com
Cheers
ROGER

reply | flag

message 14: by Beth

Aug 21, 2008 03:35PM

Hi John,
I'm always happy to befriend a fellow author!

reply | flag

message 13: by Kondalrao

Aug 13, 2008 04:16PM

thanks for adding my name as your friend.
k.kondameedi@yahoo.com

reply | flag

message 12: by SassyMama

Aug 07, 2008 05:58AM

Hey, John...it's nice to meet you...thanks for the invite into your circle of friends...quite an intriguing profile...Congrats on all your novels, poetry and screen plays...best of luck to you in all your future endeavors...looking forward to sharing chats, reviews and any/all recommendations...have a blessed end of the week...and Happy Reading & Writing :-)

reply | flag

message 11: by Yvonne

Jul 30, 2008 04:10AM

Thanks for adding me to your friends!

reply | flag

message 10: by maria

Jul 29, 2008 10:42PM

Hey there,John
Thank you for add me as your friends.
It`s my honor to be in your friends list.
Best regards
Maria

reply | flag

message 9: by Lee

Jul 27, 2008 09:46AM

Thanks for being my goodreads buddy, John!

My new romantic suspense, The Twist is a Bookstrand #1 Bestseller! A story of mind-bending control and unnerving metamorphosis, The Twist unravels the tale of a hotshot consultant as he struggles to foil a plot to steal $12 million and to rescue the feisty, female scientist who has stolen his heart.

READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE TWIST

Lee

Lee Silver
"Romance With a Twist"
THE TWIST, BookStrand #1 Bestseller
www.LeeSilver.org

reply | flag

message 8: by Catherine

Jul 15, 2008 10:32AM

Hi John - thanks for the friends request! :-)

reply | flag

message 7: by Robin

Jul 02, 2008 01:44PM

Hi John,
Thanks for adding me as a friend.
Best wishes- Robin

reply | flag

message 6: by W.B.

Jun 24, 2008 12:26PM

Thanks for the invite, John!

I think we had correspondence earlier this year, unless I'm mistaken..about the Dwarf Stars anthology...that you?

Howdy either way! :-)

reply | flag

message 5: by Lincoln

Jun 06, 2008 08:22PM

Pocket full of Loose Razorblades??? Duuude! I can't wait to check it out! Macabre Post-modernism rocks!!!

LP

reply | flag

message 4: by Abbeville

Jun 03, 2008 10:29AM

Hey, John- thanks for the add!
Be sure to keep up with our profile- we'll update often with the latest on our website, our books, and our exciting new online media!

reply | flag

message 3: by Louise

Jan 25, 2008 01:43PM

Hey, John! Nice to see you here. Take care ~ Louise ~

reply | flag

message 2: by Jeremy

Jan 23, 2008 02:52PM

I want to apologize for the all the recommendations from me today. I only pressed the send button once--I'm not sure what happened.

Argh...this is terrible...

Again, I'm very sorry.

-Jeremy

reply | flag

message 1: by Bradley

Jan 23, 2008 06:07AM