About John

Schwartz’s first novel In The Shadow of Babylon rose to the top of Amazon Kindle’s Action/Adventure list.

KIRKUS Review wrote…

“an epoch-spanning thriller. The prose is something to behold… the author deftly weaves the romantic experiences of a pre-historical shepherd into an extended homily in the best page- turner fashion… evocative… lyrical, mystical and shocking… A wonderfully written, provocative novel.”

John has lived and worked in the USA, Latin America, Asia, Europe and Fiji. He was one of the first American businessmen to enter China after the Cultural Revolution. In the early 1990’s John and his family established a successful English/Chinese language publishing company based in Hong Kong.

John’s poetry placed first in the 71st Annual Writers Digest National Writing Competition. His winning eleven-line poem was not about love, broken hearts, or death... it was about a skyscraper in Hong Kong.

Robert Pinsky (U.S. Poet Laureate 1997-2000) called John’s writing—

“… vivid … gritty ... vigorous.”

John will tell you he has lived well, loved often, cried frequently, hated little, cherished the present, ignored regrets, and often lost sight of the destination while relishing the trip. Here’s the message he follows.

Do what thy manhood bids thee do, from none but self expect applause; He noblest lives and noblest dies who makes and keeps his self-made laws.

-Richard Francis Burton