John Neeleman

John Neeleman is an author and trial lawyer known for his historical fiction that blends meticulous research with philosophical and spiritual themes. His debut novel, "Logos," earned critical acclaim, winning the 2016 Utah State Book Award for Fiction Book of the Year and a Gold Medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards for Religious Fiction. His second novel, "Children of Saturn," explores the French Revolution through the lens of real historical figures, including Thomas Paine and Mary Wollstonecraft, while maintaining a foundation in documented events. Published by Open Books, the work delves into political turmoil, social injustice, and humanist ideals.

Neeleman’s writing merges realism with introspective, sometimes hallucinatory passages, reflecting his enduring fascination with metaphysical questions - an interest shaped by his upbringing as a seventh-generation Mormon before his eventual departure from the faith. Beyond literature, he practices law in Seattle, specializing in pro bono representation for death row inmates in Louisiana and Texas. Balancing his legal career with writing, Neeleman continues to craft narratives that interrogate history, morality, and the human condition.