John Beach - 1939
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Campbell County High School, Wyoming
I. Biography
Author John Beach was born and raised in Wyoming and still makes it his home. He was born on September 20, 1939, in Almy, Wyoming, located five miles north of Evanston Wyoming. He was raised partly on his grandfather's ranch in Almy but grew up in Riverton.
II. Professional Biography
He graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1963, became a classroom teacher in 1965, and retired from the Rock Springs school system in 1995. Beach is currently a part-time instructor. He teaches storytelling and public speaking at Western Wyoming Community College in Rock Springs. Beach is also a full time traveling storyteller for the group The Oral Tradition. Beach has written mostly short stories for children and young adult material. (Beach)
III. Regional Influences
Beach considers Wallage Stegner, Candy Moulton, Page Lambert, and Larry Brown the regional influences on his work.
IV. Other Influences
He also takes notice to the works of Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Shakespeare, Agatha Christie, Stephen White, and Ed McBain. Beach does not have a set place he writes from. His place is in a motel room, because of the fact that his is always traveling with his storytelling. (Beach)
V. Literary Works
Carnival
Willie, the Handcart Boy
Children of the Journey
Grandpa's Christmas Present (Beach)
VI. Contact
Beach is currently working on mystery stories and a novel set in the West, particularly the historical west. If you feel you would like to contact Beach you can do so at
drstory@fascination.com. (Beach)VII. Work Cited
Beach, John, "Please Respond." E-mail to Tanya Kryaninko 26 Dec. 2000
This essay was submitted by a student of Nathel Coca, a teacher at Campbell County High School in Gillette, Wyoming.