Wayne Johnston, a renowned Canadian author, was born and raised in Goulds, Newfoundland, where he developed a strong foundation for his future literary endeavors. Initially, he pursued pre-Med studies, but ultimately, his passion for English led him to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Memorial University. Prior to dedicating himself to writing full-time, Johnston worked as a reporter for the St. John's Daily News, honing his skills in storytelling and journalism.
To further refine his craft, Johnston went on to earn a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of New Brunswick. This marked the beginning of his successful writing career, which saw him publish his debut novel, The Story of Bobby O'Malley, at the tender age of 27. This inaugural effort earned him the prestigious WH Smith/Books in Canada First Novel award for the best first novel published in the English language in Canada that year.
Johnston's subsequent books received widespread critical acclaim and increased public attention. His novel, The Divine Ryans, was adapted into a feature film, starring Academy Award winner Pete Postlethwaite, with Johnston himself penning the screenplay. His memoir, Baltimore's Mansion, which delves into his family history, garnered significant praise and won the coveted Charles Taylor Prize for creative non-fiction in Canada.
Johnston's other notable works include The Colony of Unrequited Dreams and The Navigator of New York, both of which spent extended periods on bestseller lists in Canada and were published internationally in the United States, Britain, Germany, Holland, China, and Spain. The Colony of Unrequited Dreams was even recognized by the Globe and Mail newspaper as one of the 100 most important Canadian books ever produced, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction.
