Please tell me more about yourself?
John Walker Pattison was born in the wonderful seaside town of South Shields 65 years ago. He is a long-suffering, yet dedicated Newcastle United supporter; however, there is little doubt that the crucial hinge in John’s life, is his beautiful wife, June. “Nothing is more important than family,” says John.
He recently retired from his post as a senior clinical nurse specialist in hematology at his local hospital, a place that established his cancer diagnosis over 47 years ago; at that time his parents were told that he would not survive, yet here he is today, humbled to be one of the longest living cancer survivors in the UK today.
Due to the pandemic and his chronic illnesses as a consequence of the salubrious chemotherapy and radiotherapy he received decades earlier, he decided to put pen to paper and document the elasticated stories he has been telling his grandchildren for many years.
What are your favorite books to read?
Undoubtedly, 'Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown.
Do you like coffee or tea?
No competition, black coffee.
How many books have you written?
His first children’s book, ‘Strange Trips and Weird Adventures’ is the first in a series of adventures of Daniel and Papa; available to a worldwide audience and will be followed by ‘Blenkinsop Blabbermouth and the Ghost of Broderick McCaffery,’ then, ‘The Fastest Water Pistol in Splodge City.’ His fourth and fifth titles, ‘The Huckleberry Kingdom,’ and ‘Marcel the Mystic Mouse from Marseille’ are both in progress.
He has recently completed his memoirs, Elements of Cancer (Weathering the storm) and he has a publishing contract for his work.
Pattison has written dozens of national and international nursing and medical press articles. John has presented lectures on the length and breadth of the country on many aspects of hematology and cancer management. He is honored to have won numerous awards both locally and nationally for his work in hematology. Now his focus is children’s fiction.
Do you have a favorite bookstore?
Pattison and his wife are regular visitors to America (he, alone, was in North Carolina visiting family in November 2021). Whilst there, he can regularly be found in Barnes Noble. In England, he will readily peruse the shelves of Waterstones, although Amazon is pretty efficient and reliable these days.
Did you go to college for writing?
John Walker Pattison has no formal qualifications as a writer. He insists that writing comes from the heart.
Growing up What were your favorite books to read?
Pattison admits that he was not a great reader as a youngster. He much preferred clowning about and squandered his school years. That is why, when he left school in 1973, he left with a handful of worthless qualifications. He does, however, recall reading Marvel Comics as a child.
Today, Pattison is full of admiration for Julia Donaldson—he believes there is not a better children's author out there.
How did you get inspired to write a book?
Pattison's inspiration for writing is a spin-off from his elasticated stories that he has told his grandchildren for decades. Like the time he flew a sherbet fuelled rocket to Jupiter, or, the time he was an undercover agent for the FBI. He once swam across the Atlantic Ocean, when he got to the other side, he decided to swim home—all done in one day. He has slurped tea with the Queen of England and trained Tarzan how to survive in the jungle. Not to mention his fights, with lions, tigers, and grizzly bears. In fact, he once caught Bigfoot before letting him go again.
And so, it seemed a given that he would put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and document his adventures.
What hobbies do you have?
Pattison has done some freelance photography, and he enjoys fly-fishing and watching soccer. However, his greatest interest is the history of the Lakota Sioux—he was honored to spend a week on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, in South Dakota in 2018.
Do you have a favorite coffee shop?
No.
Where can people find you online?
There are two options to find John:
Home | John Walker Pattison (ampbk.com)
A recent television interview: South Shields grandad who was diagnosed with 'incurable' cancer at 18 publishes children's book | ITV News Tyne Tees
Book Review
Fasten your seat belt and join Daniel and his best friend, Papa, on their ‘Strange Trips and Weird Adventures’.
Cute story fun for all ages.
Love this cute little story.
When I was a kindergarten teacher's aide I did storytime and the children would have loved this story this book would be great in a classroom library and on your child's bookshelf.
What a cute story My favorite was when they went to the moon to find moon cheese.
This is a great story for any child that loves adventure books.
This would make a great Christmas gift plus a birthday gift for any child.
Growing up I loved adventure books.
I am Glad I got to review this book it is super cute and a fun story.
RECEIVED A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE BOOKS FOR THE BOOK REVIEWS ON THIS BLOG BUT WAS NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE A REVIEW.
ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE.
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