John Sweeder

Poet

Ocean City, NJ
New Jersey US

Author's Bio

John Sweeder’s books of poetry include Untethered Balloons (2021), Untangling Knots (2022), Upwellings (2025), and The La Salle Christmas Poets: An Anthology (2024) which he edited. His poetry has appeared in Philadelphia Stories, Adelaide Literary Magazine, Burningword Literary Journal, Shantih, Better Than Starbucks, Last Leaves Magazine, and River Poets Journal, among other venues. A winner of the 2023 Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest, Finalist of the Adelaide Literary Award for Poetry in 2018 and 2019, and Finalist in the 2019 Willow Run Poetry Book Award, John is listed in the Poets & Writers Directory of Poet & Writers. He is also a member of the Poetry Society of America. John presently resides in Ocean City, New Jersey enjoying back-bay fishing and crabbing when he’s not writing. In addition to his poetry John has published two memoirs, Breathing through a Straw: A Memoir for Baby Boomers and Neurotic Catholics at https://jsweeder.wordpress.com/ as well as Faith Genes for the Blue Jean Generation: A Self-help Memoir (2018), available on Amazon.com.

 

Publications & Prizes

Book:
Untethered Balloons: Poems (Adelaide Books, 2021)
Journals:
Adelaide Literary Magazine
,
Ancient Paths
, ,
Burning Word
, ,
Last Leaves Magazine
,
Opening Line Literary 'Zine
,
Philadelphia Stories
,
River Poets Journal
,
SHANTIH Journal
Prizes won: 

First Place winner in the Modern Sonnet category of the 2023 Helen Schaible International Sonnet Contest, sponsored by Chicagoland Poets & Patrons. 

Finalist of the Adelaide Literary Award for Poetry 2018 and 2019. and Finalist in the 2019 Willow Run Poetry Book Award

Personal Favorites

Favorite authors: 
Mary Oliver, Billy Collins, Richard Wilbur, Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, Langston Hughes, e e cummings, Walt Whitman, Lucille Clifton, Ted Kooser

More Information

Gives readings: 
Yes
Travels for readings: 
Yes
Identifies as: 
White
Prefers to work with: 
Adults, Seniors, Teachers, Teenagers
Fluent in: 
English
Born in: 
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania
Raised in: 
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania
Please note: All information in the Directory is provided by the listed writers or their representatives.
Last update: Jul 08, 2025