JACK CAVANAUGH Novelist
Welcome to my website!
By selecting the ABOUT ME link it tells me something about you. Either you’ve read one or more of my books and you want to know who it is who wrote it, or you’re considering reading one of my books and you want to know if it will be worth your time. I guess there’s a third possibility: It’s possible you’re supposed to be doing something you’d rather not do and you’re procrastinating by randomly searching the Internet. If that’s the case, get back to work.
The first thing you should know about me is that I hate talking about me. So writing this is difficult. Don’t get me wrong, I love to talk — about my books, my research, about writing fiction. about my family. It’s just that I get bored when I’m talking about me.
So, what should I tell you about me?
I’m a writer. But you already knew that, didn’t you? What you might not know is that I’ve written and published twenty-seven novels, a number of non-fiction articles, some chapters for books on writing, a regular column for a regional paper, and a few newspaper op-ed pieces, one in particular that won a $1000 award for excellence in media. I’ve also won some awards for my novels. I’ve included a list below if you’re interested. I’m not much for awards, but it is nice to think that somebody other than my wife considers what I’ve written to be good.
See? I told you I have a hard time talking about me. Truth is, I feel deeply honored and touched whenever someone buys one of my books, and doubly honored when they write to tell me about it or post a comment on a bookstore website. Thank you. I mean that. Thank you!
I’ve been writing novels full-time since 1993 and have been a student of the novel for more than a decade before that. I love fiction. Writing it. Reading it. Teaching it, which I’ve done all across the nation. I have 3,000 books in my personal library and 100 of those are on the craft of writing fiction. The rest of the books are novels and books on history.
I have taught American History at a local college and have delivered over 1,000 speeches, keynote and inspirational. At one point I considered becoming a full-time speaker, but decided my personality and skill-set were better suited to writing. It was the right choice.
My novels have been translated into several foreign languages. The books sell particularly well in the Netherlands, so much so that a newspaper (Reformatorisch Dagblad) there sent a reporter to interview me. I showed her around San Diego. We had a great time. She returned home to write a full-page article about me. I assume it was positive. I don’t know because I can’t read Dutch.
I’ve written two of my novels into screenplays (Beyond The Sacred Page and Dear Enemy). I’ve received compliments on them from industry officials, but compliments don’t translate into movies. To do that takes money and lots of it. And I have had one novel optioned to be a movie (Death Watch) by Out Cold Entertainment, Inc and director Michael Sajbel (The Ultimate Gift; One Night With The King), but so far nothing has come of it.
As for family, I’ve lived with the same woman for 42-years (my wife, in case you were wondering). We have three grown children. The two eldest daughters are both dispatchers for the San Diego Police Department (so is my sister-in-law and niece; my brother is a retired lieutenant). So if you need anybody arrested in San Diego, let me know. I’ve got connections. My son lives in Fullerton, California. His wife works at the offices at Disneyland. Sam works the streets at Disney as Mad Hatter, Merlin, and a dancer in the parades. When he’s not doing that, he’s performing at local musical theaters. His favorite role is Cosmo in Singing in the Rain (Make ’em Laugh!). He and the part were made for each other. My wife and I have three grandchildren, ages 3, 1 and 1. And we all live in Southern California and get together for family birthdays once a quarter. Our family get-togethers are known for good times and laughter.
As for the future? Retirement is not an option. Why would I stop doing something I enjoy this much?
AWARDS
• Silver Medallion Award (1995), Christian Booksellers Association
• Christy Award (2002, 2003), Excellence in Christian Fiction
• Silver Angel Award (2002), Excellence in Media
• Gold Medal, Best Historical (2001), ForeWord Magazine
• Best Historical Novel (1994), San Diego Literary Society
• Best Novel (1995, 1996, 2005), San Diego Christian Writers Guild
• Amy Writing Award of Outstanding Merit (2012), The Amy Foundation
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: novelistjack@cox.net
Facebook: novelistjack
Twitter: @novelistjack
NOTICE TO WRITERS
I have a weekly podcast called LET’S TALK NOVELS if you’re interested. You can find out more about it by CLICKING HERE...
LISTEN TO AN AUDIO FROM JACK
In this podcast (originally delivered to writers) I share my thoughts on world building, the blending of history and story in my novels. I thought people who are interested in my fiction might find it interesting. Enjoy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
