Comment: Sources must be published, and references must be fully formatted. qcne (talk) 20:16, 12 February 2025 (UTC)
John Albert Harrison (born September 10, 1973) is an American author, poet, and operations manager. He is best known for his Shadow Saga fantasy series and his acclaimed poetry collections, and also has background experience in business management and leadership, includingwell as military service as a combat engineer, demolitions expert, and as a airborne ranger. Harrison’s work reflects his diverse experiences and strategic mindset, while his literary contributions have earned multiple Amazon awards for excellence in both fantasy and poetry.
Life and Career
Early Years
Harrison was born on September 10, 1973, at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. He was named after his ancestor, John Harrison (1693–1776), the English clockmaker who revolutionized maritime navigation by inventing the marine chronometer.
At three months old, his family relocated to Okinawa, Japan, where he spent his early childhood until the age of six. It was during this time that he began training in Isshinryu Karate at the age of two, an experience that instilled in him a deep appreciation for discipline and perseverance.
In 1990, Harrison joined the U.S. Army as a Combat Engineer, later specializing as a demolitions expert, Sapper, and eventually an Airborne Ranger. His military service shaped his leadership skills, strategic problem-solving abilities, and resilience—qualities that later influenced both his professional career and literary works.
Writing Career
Harrison’s first published work was the short story Unholy Trinity, which appeared in Michael Moorcock’s New Worlds online magazine in 2007.[1] This early publication in England marked the beginning of his professional writing career. Though the website is no longer accessible, even via archival tools like the Wayback Machine, the story was an important milestone in Harrison’s development as a writer.
His literary career gained momentum with the publication of Shadow Dance[2], the first book in his Shadow Saga series. The saga, which includes Shadow Play[3] and Shadow Flight[4], is noted for its intricate world-building and character-driven storytelling. Shadow Dance won the Amazon Best in Fantasy Award for May 2015, solidifying Harrison’s reputation as a rising voice in the genre.
In addition to fantasy fiction, Harrison is an accomplished poet. His poetry collections, Whispers Through the Veil: The Poetic Philosophy of Thoughts and Inspiration[5] and Whispers Through the Veil: The Poetic Reality of Love and Loss[6], received widespread acclaim, with the former winning Amazon’s Best in Poetry Award for 2012 and the latter winning Amazon’s Best in Poetry Award for March 2013. His poetry is known for its introspective themes, lyrical elegance, and philosophical depth.
Beyond his published works, Harrison has contributed to blogs, web article, and social media, blending his creative storytelling skills with practical insights drawn from his military and business backgrounds.
Professional Career
In addition to his literary achievements, Harrison has built a successful career as an operations manager and HR Director. With over 20 years of experience in leadership and team management, he has worked in various industries, including IT, marketing, and business development. His tenure as an operations manager saw him leading a team of 12 local employees and 24 remote staff members, achieving significant efficiency gains and cost reductions.
Harrison's expertise in content creation, strategic planning, and customer engagement has made him a valuable asset in corporate settings. His ability to craft compelling narratives extends beyond fiction and poetry into professional communications, marketing, and leadership development.
Literary Style and Themes
Harrison’s writing style is a unique blend of poetic elegance and structured clarity. His fiction is characterized by deep character exploration, immersive world-building, and thematic complexity. His poetry, often reflective and philosophical, explores themes of identity, resilience, love, loss, and personal transformation.
His non-fiction and professional writing emphasize clear communication, customer-centric insights, and actionable strategies, reflecting his leadership and business acumen.
Personal Life
Harrison currently resides in Modesto, California, and is the father of four children. While he trained in Isshinryu Karate from an early age and maintained a deep appreciation for martial arts, he is no longer actively practicing it. He continues to write novels and poetry, manage operations, and contribute to various creative and business endeavors.
References
- ^ "More Fiction". Michael Moorcock's New World E-Magazine. Archived from the original on 2025-01-24. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
- ^ Harrison, John (September 16, 2012). Shadow Dance (2nd ed.). House of Harrison. p. 2. ISBN 978-1947061101.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Harrison, John (October 18, 2019). Shadow Play (1st ed.). House of Harrison. pp. 2–5. ISBN 978-1947061118.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Harrison, John (December 1, 2019). Shdaow Flight (1st ed.). House of Harrison. pp. 2–5. ISBN 978-1947061125.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Harrison, John (October 20, 2012). Whispers Through the Veil: The Poetic Philosophy of Thoughts and Inspiration. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 2. ISBN 978-1480153783.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Harrison, John (October 18, 2012). Whispers Through the Veil: The Poetic Reality of Love and Loss. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. p. 2. ISBN 978-1480117938.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)