John Cross has taken on many roles in his life: honor student, lawyer, teacher, volunteer, and now fiction writer. But the one role that seems to tie them all together? Storyteller.
For John, storytelling is more than a passion; it’s a way of making sense of the world. After years spent writing legal articles and practicing law in Massachusetts, he now focuses on telling stories that come not from textbooks, but from real people, real experiences, and real emotions. His new collection of short stories is not just good, but remarkable and, in many ways, feels important. It invites readers to reflect on life and encourages deeper contemplation. John’s work speaks to the complexities of the human experience, with characters and narratives that resonate on an emotional level. Each story contains a rich layer of depth that transcends ordinary storytelling, offering insights into struggles, growth, and the unpredictability of life.
John grew up in a strict household outside of Chicago. He went on to study at Cornell and Boston University, eventually building a successful legal career. Along the way, he encountered individuals who had experienced profound pain—abuse victims, children raised without love, and people who had suffered from injustice. “I saw the good, the bad, and the ugly,” he says. His fiction brings these voices to life, not as headlines or legal cases, but as deeply human moments that resonate with readers. These stories explore fundamental questions about humanity, offering a glimpse into the daily challenges faced by people from all walks of life.
What sets John Cross apart is his openness and authenticity. He doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects. In one of his most poignant stories, a camp experience meant to build courage turns into a dark tale of survival. A young boy faces bullying and betrayal but finds small yet meaningful ways to fight back. It’s not a story of traditional heroism, but rather a relatable and human one, which is central to all of John’s stories.
John’s characters often live in the grey areas of life. They make mistakes, try again, and while some find peace, others may not. But all of them feel authentically human. His stories remind us that people are neither purely good nor bad—they’re just trying to make sense of things, much like the rest of us. And of course, we can’t overlook the wit in John’s writing style. It’s not overdone or forced, but instead, it’s refreshing, sharp, and sometimes painfully humorous, much like the type of humor that surfaces when life becomes overwhelming.
His writing is both accessible and thought-provoking, with each sentence carrying weight. Every story asks essential questions: Can people change? Does justice always prevail? What does forgiveness truly mean?
And perhaps the best part? John doesn’t attempt to provide the answers. Instead, he lets the story unfold, leaving room for interpretation. Unlike many emerging writers, John isn’t concerned with impressing anyone or chasing awards; he writes because he cares about people and believes their stories deserve to be shared. His deep empathy for others and his ability to capture life’s complexities make his writing stand out in a crowded literary world.
