W H Johnson

Biography

Johnnie Johnson, a graduate of the University of Durham, is a former headmaster and schools inspector. Since his retirement he has written more than twenty non-fiction books ranging from true crime and superstition to local history and the supernatural. As Allen Makepeace he has written two novels, one of which, AND SUCH GREAT NAMES AS THESE, was awarded the prize for the 'best novel' by the National Association of Writers' Groups. The second novel, WINTER HUNT, a crime story set in the early nineteenth century, is available only as an e-book. Both books are on Smashwords.

Johnnie's most recent publication, A VIRGIN IN THE PHILIPPINES, is also available only as an ebook.

Johnnie was the winner of the South East Arts Prose Prize, a finalist the Fenner Brockway Peace Prize for Literature and runner-up in the international Alpha to Omega Short Story Competition.

He lives with Fay, his Filipino wife, in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

A Virgin in the Philippines
Review extracts:

***** A delightful acount...the writing style is both candid and self-deprecating. As a reader I felt that I got to know and rather like the author. Clearly he is a highly skilled writer who has a charming and well honed use of language.
Paul (UK)

***** A Philippine travelogue with delightful prose…Johnson paints the countryside in a few pages of spare text with such vivid imagery that you can almost smell it…It is the author’s gift to be able to select just the appropriate word.
Graham H Seibert (Kiev, Ukraine), Amazon Vine Program Top 1000 Reviewer

***** Funny, fresh and honest…a rare privilege to have an insider view of life in that country
Marie-Claude (UK)

***** This was my first e-book and I could not put it down. It is written in such an enjoyable manner. I felt like I was there and was disappointed when the end came. I wanted more.
Dave McCuen (USA)

***** A refreshing first-person account…the book is written with insight and humor.
CF Crowe(USA)

**** Really at his age this writer ought to know better. But he doesn't. He just goes on enjoying himself...But despite all the knock-about there is a deal of close observation...and it's a joy to read.
M.A. George (UK)

**** More than just a travel book...a delightful and quite fascinating account... The writing is so vivid and skilful that I really felt I was experiencing it all at first-hand.
Marmanet (UK)

**** I am proud to consider myself part Filipino, if only by marriage. It was because of this that I was delighted to read this entertaining account.
Bantam Dave (Bradford, UK)

**** This is a must...a unique love story set amongst a most absorbing mosaic of life...Splendid stuff -incredibly interesting read.
Greta (UK)

**** A fascinating true account...a cheerfully relaxed and wryly detailed account of his experiences...his forte is describing people's interactions and the absurdity of life.
Rosemary Bartholomew (UK)

**** A light, charming, well-written travelogue…I felt I had gained a good understanding and appreciation for the rural part of the country and its cheerful, energetic and respectful people.
Terry Sunday (USA)

**** I echo the positive comments about this book made by other readers… an eloquent writer with an intelligent way of looking at another culture.
David W Daw (UK)

**** Spellbinding… a joyous read.
John Collins (UK)

****Johnnie's wry British humor peeps out through his writing... a charming memoir to be enjoyed by all.
Joan Adamak (USA)Amazon Vine Reviewer

*** It has a typically English, self-deprecating humour which gives warmth to the accounts of the many people he meets...The man can write!
Pumblechook (UK)

Where to buy in print

Books

A Virgin in the Philippines
Price: $1.22 USD. Words: 40,580. Language: English. Published: April 16, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Travel » By region » Asia
A mature Englishman marries a Filipina lady and for the first time in his life visits her home country.

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