John Nichols, a seasoned content creator himself, has carved a remarkable career path as an accomplished American author and screenwriter. With an impressive bibliography of twenty-three books, encompassing 13 novels and 10 non-fiction works, John Nichols has significantly contributed to American literature. His journey also includes a twenty-year stint in Hollywood, penning screenplays – a lucrative endeavor if one can break into the industry. The question of where the money went remains a charming mystery, open to humorous speculation.
His literary voyage commenced early, with the publication of his debut novel, The Sterile Cuckoo, in 1965 at the young age of 24. More recently, his novel, The Annual Big Arsenic Fishing Contest, graced bookstores shortly after his 76th birthday in 2016. This prolific output marks a substantial and enduring presence in the literary world.
The Sterile Cuckoo was notably adapted into a successful film directed by Alan Pakula. The movie adaptation saw Liza Minnelli deliver a powerful performance, earning her a nomination for the Academy Award in 1969 for her portrayal of Pookie Adams. Further cementing his place in cinematic history, Robert Redford directed the film adaptation of Nichols’ third novel, The Milagro Beanfield War (1974). The 1988 movie boasted a stellar cast including Sonia Braga, Carlos Riquelme, Ruben Blades, Christopher Walken, Julie Carmen, Daniel Stern, Melanie Griffith, and Freddy Fender, alongside a cast of 800 extras. John Nichols himself shared screenwriting credit for this acclaimed film.
Beyond these adaptations, John Nichols also contributed to the screenplay of Missing (1982), a picture directed by the celebrated Greek director Costa-Gavras, starring Jack Lemon and Sissy Spacek. Adding another film adaptation to his repertoire, his second novel, The Wizard of Loneliness (1966), was brought to the screen in 1988, featuring Lea Thompson, Lukas Haas, Lance Guest, Dylan Baker, and John Randolph.
Currently residing in northern New Mexico, John Nichols’ life journey includes three marriages and divorces, involvement in raising two children, and overcoming open-heart surgery in 1994. It’s important to distinguish this John Nichols from another, younger John Nichols, a writer for The Nation known for political books like It’s the Media, Stupid and Dick: The Man Who is President. While both share progressive political views and writing talent, the John Nichols discussed here is the author behind novels such as An Elegy for September, Conjugal Bliss, The Magic Journey, American Blood, The Nirvana Blues, A Ghost in the Music, and The Voice of the Butterfly.
For readers interested in exploring his published works, the website tab labeled “BOOKS” provides a comprehensive rundown of his novels and non-fiction books. For biographical details, the “BIOGRAPHY” tab offers insights into his life. Those seeking critical perspectives can find relevant resources under the “REFERENCES” tab. Environmentalists with concerns about global warming may find a tab marked “LOTSA LUCK,” reflecting a touch of his characteristic humor and perspective.
While John Nichols humorously acknowledges being late to the digital age, having once been the last American writer without a website, he maintains a preference for traditional communication. For those wishing to contact him, snail mail remains the preferred method at the provided address. However, he jests about the urgency, mentioning his age (79 as of July 2020) and health conditions, including A-fib, terminal congestive heart failure, and a concerning aortic valve, while still maintaining a spirited outlook.
