Hello my pen name is John Monty

John was born in 1958 in a small hospital (so small that it no longer exists) in Brisbane, Australia in the best month of the year, September. Well, this is what he tells his young grandchildren, who of course then declare their birth months to be the best. 

 

John was the fourth of five sons. He agrees with his little brother that the sons got better as they came out. 

 

John was an avid reader for all of his growing up years, and developed a budding desire to write when as a teenager, an English teacher, the first female teacher in his all-boys school, encouraged his efforts after writing a short story, and then, much to his shock, had him read it out loud to the whole class. 

 

A lifetime followed of more reading, but not much writing. A lifetime of being married to the most wonderful lady ever, having four children, and three different careers. His latest career, ten years and counting, as a relationship counsellor, has taught him a lot about human behaviour. Of course, his four children also taught him a lot about this topic also. 

 

About five years ago, finally having some time to think, John started dabbling in writing again. His first attempts were to write down some of the children’s stories he had made up over the years, when needing to tell countless bedtime stories to his children and grandchildren. These stories all centred around a couple of animal characters, called Hairy Koala Bear and Little Frog, who lived in a cave together, and also about their friends and enemies of course, including Crush the Crocodile. Perhaps the stories contained way more suspenseful action sequences than young children should hear before settling off to dreamland. 

 

Not sure the children’s book market could handle stories about animal wars, John started writing an adult book called “Going to Sophie”, which he finally self-published in April, 2026. It is a faith-based book that is also full of romance and action, and yes, there is a cave in the story, but alas, no bear or frog, much to the disappointment of his children and grandchildren. 

 

John has already started writing a sequel, in case Hollywood comes knocking.