John Ringo is a well-established American author, best known for his work in the science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, techno-thriller, and political thriller genres. He has written numerous New York Times bestsellers, including the Posleen War series, Empire of Man series, Council Wars series, and Paladin of Shadows series. Ringo's writing is heavily influenced by his own life experiences, particularly his military service.
Ringo served in the U.S. Army for four years, during which he made Specialist. After active duty, he served an additional two years in the Florida National Guard. This military experience has been a significant influence on his writing, providing authenticity and depth to his military and science fiction novels. After his military service, Ringo attended college and earned an Associate's degree in Marine Biology. However, he found that this field did not pay well, and he turned to writing science fiction instead.
In addition to his military experience, Ringo had a nomadic upbringing that exposed him to a wide variety of cultures and experiences. He visited 23 foreign countries and attended 14 different schools before graduation. This early exposure to diverse cultures and ideas has also had a significant impact on his writing, giving it a rich and nuanced perspective.
Ringo's first novel, "A Hymn Before Battle," was published in 1999 and proved to be a success. Since then, he has been a full-time author, writing in a variety of genres, including science fiction, military fiction, and fantasy. He is known for his versatility and willingness to experiment with different styles and themes. For example, his novel "Ghost" is a techno-thriller with pornographic elements, while "Princess of Wands" is a Christian soccer mom battling demons through the power of God.
Despite his success, Ringo remains humble and approachable. He has a sense of humor and a playful attitude, as evidenced by his response when asked to describe his writing: "I'm a professional author of... Well, I used to say 'science fiction.' Then came 'There Will Be Dragons,' which is sf with a distinct fantasy twist. Then came 'Ghost' which is techno-thriller crossed with porn. Then came 'Princess of Wands,' a Christian soccer mom battling demons through the power of God. Who knows what's next? Children's books? (I've actually got that one mapped out. You see, there's this girl who is raised by dolphins... You think I'm joking, don't you?)" This lighthearted approach belies the depth and complexity of his writing, which continues to captivate and engage readers around the world.