A recent - and sustained - period of "painter's block", plus a lack of desire to go back on the road with music, directed me to pick up the metaphoric pen and resume writing. The result is the book on the right.  So, perhaps, this page should constitute the main content of the site. It won't, because I am too idle to throw myself at a total redesign. Nevertheless, I currently consider myself a writer with hobbies, as opposed to a painter or a musician with hobbies.

(Right: Dust cover art work, designed by Derek Colligan, for the book published in September 2011)

I will still paint commissions, of course, and I still play and teach locally. But that, at least until the next block, is it.
Below are the dust covers of published books, including some foreign translations.  These were written back in the 80s whilst we were living on a boat on the Thames at Hampden Wick. If you are interested enough you will find pictures of this period under the "Slideshow" link of the "short biography" page.

Of A Warrior's Code, Viki Wilson of Cornwall Today writes:
Johns' brutal and gripping novel begins with an introduction to his central character, mercenary soldier Martin Palmer, as he crouches behind a rock about to take part in a hired killing. The author’s own experience as a soldier comes across clearly in his frank and down-to-earth portrayal of his characters, and we are quickly drawn into the shocking and grim world of soldiers for hire. Perhaps Johns' greatest achievement is to make you care about the soulless man who kills for money, as we follow him on a thrilling adventure filled with violence, intrigue and occasional moments of rare beauty as Johns, an artist and traveller in real life, describes the drama and beauty of the African landscapes in which his story takes place

BooksMonthly.co.uk writes:
"Gripping thriller - being an ex-soldier himself, Johns knows how they think and act, and his superior knowledge shows in this excellent tale"
 

"Dirty Money" is an Ebook (Kindle).
The main character is not Martin Palmer, but he only just isn't!