JOHN ALFRED ARMSTRONG was diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) when he was 55 years old, a condition which makes it difficult for him to interact socially with others. John overcomes this by expressing himself through his writing, a medium where he considers his autism to be an asset rather than a disability.

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John would describe himself as an obsessive sesquipedalian and bibliophile who loves reading encyclopaedias and lists etymology as one of his hobbies. John spent some of his childhood living in Australia before returning to Britain in the early 1970s. John has a Bachelor of Science Degree (Hons) in Astrophysics from Sheffield and Aston Universities and is a Chapter House qualified proofreader and copy editor. 

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John's writing aspirations include science fiction and political satire. He is currently working on his science fiction debut novel 'Goby' - based on the genre of 'alternative evolution' This will be coming out in early 2023. It is a story in two parts set in the Palaeozoic era about a shrinking tidal pool and its effects on a mudskipper like creature called Mervyn and the rest of his kind who are facing extinction. John also plans to self publish his series of short science fiction based stories in an anthology,

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'It has been said that John's education enables him to write with an intellectual and academic authority, but his autism imbues his writing style with a delightful and appealing childlike innocence'. Geeta Von Tease.

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The solace John finds in the written word offers him a unique opportunity to share his experiences and perception of the world with others. Now John’s vision is to become a role model to help other autistic people find confidence in their own voice.

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An original 1950s baby, John has a love of all things vintage which he shares with his partner, the gorgeous burlesque performer, Miss Geeta Von Tease, whom he met in 2013 at the Walsall Writer’s Circle in their home town in the West Midlands. John is adopted and never knew who his biological parents were, something that he and Geeta both share in common.

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John's short story 'A Christmas Message' is available to read electronically on www.kobo.com

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COMING SOON: To read about some of John's other work and to find out more about what it is like to be autistic John will be launching his website www.johnalfredarmstrongauthor.co.uk 

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(Photographed by Pete Orman outside the Crazy Horse Theatre in Paris 2016, after seeing Dita Von Teese perform in 'Dita's Crazy Show')

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