Meet John

Humourist & Short Story Writer

John Mawdsley is a writer based in Calgary, Alberta. He wrote many technical reports in his previous careers as a geologist and financial analyst; however he is now developing his craft in more entertaining and creative genres.

In addition to hundreds of technical reports, John has non-fiction publications that have appeared in The Globe and Mail, Pacific Yachting magazine and Currents, the magazine of the Blue Water Cruising Association. Recent humour publications have appeared in the online journal, The Haven. John has a novel in the works, but it is waaay more work than expected and he plans to publish it before dying.

In his current writing, John draws on his broad background of professional and other life experience including:

  • Private Equity Partner

  • Paperboy

  • Corporate Director

  • Long-haul Truck Driver

  • MBA Graduate Student

  • Camp Counselor for Disabled Kids

  • Theater Sports Competitor

  • Busboy at The Keg restaurant

  • Senior Vice President

  • Ski Bus Driver

  • Dishwasher

  • Cat Lover

  • Wedding MC

  • Financial Analyst

  • Stock Boy

  • Steel Pipe Factory Labourer

  • Not-for-Profit Director

  • Babysitter

  • Solo Motorcycle Adventurer

  • Oil and Gas Exploration Geologist

  • Technical Adviser

  • Calgary Cross Country Runner 1st Place Finisher (1971 under-13 age group)

  • Sunday School Teacher

  • Motorcycle Accident Survivor (minor, only stitches required)

  • Car Crash Survivor (moderate, broken nose and many stitches in the face)

  • Construction Site Labourer

  • Tour Bus Driver

  • Salad Bar Boy at the Keg

  • Long Distance Runner

  • Successfully passed English 101 (on 2nd attempt)

  • Capital Markets Advisor

  • Managing Director

  • Community Hockey Player (Pee Wee MVP 1970)

  • Valedictorian for BSc. Geology Class

  • OCD and Anxiety Sufferer

  • High School Band Member (Clarinet)

  • Husband of 36 years (so far)

  • Father

  • Son

  • Uncle

  • Little Brother

  • Big Brother

  • Middle Child (Survivor? Sufferer?)

  • Old Friend

  • Cousin

  • Nephew

  • Boss

  • Employee

  • Cross Country Skier

  • Offshore Sailor

  • Handy-man

  • Long-distance Motorcycle Rider ranging from New Mexico to Alaska’s North Slope and Canada’s West to East coasts (member of the Iron Butt Association … yes, really)

  • 2005 National Post/StarMine Canadian #2 Oil and Gas Earnings Estimator

  • 2006 National Post/StarMine Canadian #1 Top Oil and Gas Stock Picker

  • Hunter

  • Panic Attack Survivor

  • Marathon Runner (once; in 1984 at 3hr 3min)

  • Dog Lover (especially Dachshunds and Beagles)

  • Power Boater

  • Off-Grid Cabin Owner

  • Assistant Hockey Coach

It might be self-evident to a trained eye, but John is the owner of an ADHD brain.

This was diagnosed in his early sixties, but John does not consider it a “disorder”. With an understanding of ADHD’s nature, it is a huge asset.