Johnny Shaw Books In Order

Publication Order of Jimmy Veeder Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Anthologies

An American author with a large focus on crime fiction, the writer Johnny Shaw has become a master of tightly knit and extremely taut thrillers, filled not only with mystery and suspense, but with hard-boiled action as well. Mostly set within and around his home of Calexico beside the Mexican border, he injects elements of social-realism as well, with a keen interest in politics too. With his own magazine, along with an app and a podcast as well, there’s no end to the variety of output from him both as a writer and as the owner of his own mini empire.

Early and Personal Life

Born in America upon the Calexico/Mexicali border, his location has always had a strong impact on his work. Influencing his output heavily, the border itself has continued to cast a major shadow over his material and work. With him being born and raised in the area, he took in the experiences he had from his surrounding environment and put them back into his writing.

Focusing on his storytelling skills for much of his education, he was able to fully utilize his talents, maximizing them to full effect. Gaining an MFA from the UCLA in Screenwriting, he was able to learn the tools necessary for him and his craft. This would also allow him to option and sell a number of screenplays later on and throughout the rest of his writing career.

Teaching his craft to others as well, he has worked at passing on his craft to students and aspiring writers. Working at institutes such as UC Santa Barbara and Santa Barbara City College, he has taught both online and off over the course of his career. This has all allowed him to gain a better understanding and more articulated sense of who he is as a writer, in both style and tone.

Continuing to write to this very day, he still publishes his novels on a regular basis, as well as keeping up with his teaching. Living in Portland in Oregon in the United States, he’s happily married to his wife, the artist Roxanne Patruznick. With a lot more titles to come yet, he has a number of books planned for release on the horizon, which is a trend that will continue on into the foreseeable future.

Writing Career

Publishing his first novel back in 2010 with ‘Dove Season’ he has come a long way fast in a relatively short amount of time. It was with this novel that he also managed to start up the ongoing series titled ‘A Jimmy Veeder Fiasco’, which has been running ever since. This would also help him to establish himself as a figure to definitely watch within the industry in the years to follow.

The series of ‘A Jimmy Veeder Fiasco’ itself is his main one to date, with a number of other stand-alone titles along-side it. Featuring the eponymous protagonist of the title, he largely delves into the world crime, giving it all a gritty hard-boiled tone. This is something that’s been reflected throughout his writing career, with it being a set of themes and arcs that he’s continually returned to.

Gaining awards for his efforts as well, he’s also managed to garner the attention and applause of the critical establishment too. Winning the Anthony Award for his exciting action packed adventure story ‘Big Maria’, his 2012 stand-alone title, he was well on his way to becoming a name to be revered. Respected by both his peers and contemporaries alike, he’s made a highly influential name for himself within the industry.

Attending a variety of different conferences and events, he is also a highly regarded and notable speaker as well. This again goes back to his teaching too, with it being something that ties into that, given that he imparts what he’s learned as a writer throughout the years. Taking the time to provide for online services such as LitReactor and off, he’s gained an insight into his craft through his teaching.

With a lot more to come yet, Jonathan Shaw will continue working as a full-time author and public speaker. Building his micro-empire as well, he’s got plenty of avenues for expanding upon his output, creating more work in the process. This is something that shows no signs of stopping any time soon, as his writing career rapidly grows from strength-to-strength.

Floodgate

Brought out through the Thomas and Mercer publishing label in 2016 on the 9th of February, this was to be a stand-alone title from Jonathan Shaw. Delivering many of the themes and ideas that his readers have come to know and respect him for, it provides the ideal entry-point for any newcomers. That’s not to say that it doesn’t offer some twists and turns along the way, as there’s plenty of surprises here to keep the more regular readers engaged as well.

Dealing with corruption within the police force, the one seemingly honest cop out there is turfed out and framed when he unwittingly threatens to expose it. It is now up to him to get to the bottom of it all, waging a war against the entire police force, one that threatens to turn everything upside down. With a whole host of mysteries from the truth of his real parents, to the secrets of the underworld, Andy Destra is flung head-first into the underworld of Auction City. Will he be able to clear his name? Can he survive the criminal elements? What happens when he opens the floodgate?

Imperial Valley

Published through the Thomas and Mercer publishing label once again, this was brought out on the 7th of March in 2017. Setting up the third title in his ongoing ‘Jimmy Veedo Fiasco’ series, this follows on directly from the previous novel. Providing another adventure for the eponymous protagonist, it manages to offers more of what made the first two work so well, whilst also standing on its own two feet in the process.

Finally settling down, Jimmy Veedo is living with his new wife Angie, along with her eight year old son. His newly wedded bliss is short-lived, though, after being given useful data on where grandfather of his son might be. Heading on down to Mexicali, he hopes to not only find the grandfather that he’d been looking so long for, but also have a honeymoon, a vacation which is only interrupted by a band of criminals following their trail. Will they be able to find the grandfather? Can they keep themselves alive? What will become of them as they head into Imperial Valley?