Author
Stories become memorable when they entertain, challenge, and reveal something true about the world.
John Steel writes intelligent thrillers inspired by real-world events, human behaviour, and the difficult choices individuals and governments face under pressure.
“I won’t tell you what to think, but I will give you something to think about”
Every great thriller begins with a question.
What happens when power is tested? When ambition outweighs morality? When decisions made behind closed doors reshape countless lives? These are the questions that drove John Steel’s writing Migrant Crisis.
Migrant Crisis published November 2025
Exciting new projects under way
“I am not setting out to write a series of formulaic thrillers or stories that depend solely on action sequences to keep my readers involved, but to write stories that entertain and thrill whilst enabling my readers to feel the emotions of my characters and occasionally to indulge in consideration and discussion of deeper issues.”
To create intelligent, compelling thrillers that entertain, inspire thought, and explore the real-world consequences of power, leadership, and human choice.
To build a distinctive body of contemporary fiction that crosses conventional genre boundaries, challenges assumptions and explores the issues shaping the world around us.
I believe fiction should respect the intelligence of the reader. Every novel will be written with authenticity, independence of thought and a willingness to explore difficult issues without telling the reader what to think.
John Steel is a British author whose fiction explores politics, power and the human consequences of the decisions made by those who govern us. His novels explore the hidden forces that influence society: leadership, ambition, conflict, justice, and the human consequences of decisions made in moments of extraordinary pressure.
Drawing on decades of professional experience and a lifelong fascination with politics, history, current affairs, and human behaviour, John creates stories that are as thought-provoking as they are impossible to put down. His writing blends suspense, realism, subtle satire, and memorable characters to produce novels that entertain while encouraging readers to think beyond the final page.
His debut novel, Migrant Crisis, examines one of the defining issues of modern Europe through a gripping fictional narrative of covert operations, political intrigue, espionage, and moral compromise. Praised for its realism, complexity, and timely themes, it marks the beginning of a series of thrillers exploring the difficult choices that shape our world.
John believes that fiction has the power to do more than entertain. It can challenge assumptions, inspire conversation, and encourage readers to see familiar issues from fresh perspectives.
Whether exposing the hidden machinery of government, exploring the consequences of leadership, or placing ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, every John Steel novel will be written with one purpose: to deliver unforgettable stories with real-world significance.
What led him to publish his first book at the age of 77, and what comes next?
The exact existing wording can remain unless he specifically asks you to replace it.
If you ask John this question he will simply tell you “I was
too busy before.
Migrant Crisis grew out of a mounting frustration with the way politics is conducted and presented to the public. Watching the news and the theatre that Prime Minister’s Questions has become — provided inspiration for some of the novel’s early scenes.
More broadly, I wanted to explore through fiction what can happen when ideology, political self-interest and half-truths collide with the real-world consequences of government decisions. Migration provided a particularly powerful setting because those consequences are profoundly human, affecting migrants and citizens alike.
Writing my first novel at the age of 77 was therefore less the culmination of a lifelong ambition to become an author than a reaction to what I saw happening around me. Fiction gave me the freedom to take those concerns, ask “what if?”, and follow the consequences wherever the story led.
To me, this is not work.”
My writing regime is probably best described as chaotic. I don’t believe in imposing a rigid structure on a book before I start. I’ll have an idea of where I’m going and perhaps a few key points I want to explore, but after that I prefer to let the writing flow and see where it takes me.
That was exactly how I approached Migrant Crisis. I began with the central theme and allowed the story and characters to develop as I wrote. Giving yourself permission to follow unexpected paths can take the story in directions you never originally imagined and that, for me, is part of the fun of writing.
It also leaves room for humour to emerge naturally: an aside, a moment of absurdity or a little dark humour can provide welcome relief in an otherwise serious passage.
So disciplined? Not particularly. Enthusiastic? Absolutely.
“I didn’t — at least, not consciously.
When I started Migrant Crisis, I didn’t try to fit the story into a particular genre. I simply followed the characters and the story wherever they led.
The result crosses several boundaries, combining elements of political thriller, espionage, crime, maritime adventure and dark humour. Had I tried to force it into a predetermined category from the outset, I suspect it would have become a very different book.
For me, genre is useful for describing a novel once it is written. It shouldn’t become a set of rules that restricts the writing of it.”
John was brought up by elderly parents on a tiny war pension. At the age of 10 he gained a scholarship to a direct grant public school and ended up studying the classics in sixth form. Reading Latin, Greek and ancient history did not lead to a career but did leave an indelible love of language and a deeper understanding of the derivations of our English language.
I qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1970, beginning a career that took me through the accountancy profession, senior roles in commerce and industry, and ultimately 21 years running my own accountancy practice. I later worked as a mortgage broker before finally stepping away from business to write Migrant Crisis.
Along the way, I spent decades negotiating on behalf of clients with banks, insurers, mortgage lenders, regulators, the Inland Revenue and other government agencies.
That experience provided a fascinating education in how institutions really work and in the motivations, competing interests and occasional absurdities of the people within them. It also left me with a healthy scepticism of bureaucracy and officialdom, much of which inevitably finds its way into my fiction
John’s father served in France throughout the First World War from 1914 to 1918 and was on the Somme, but fortunately serving as a driver rather than in the trenches.
His parents lived through the Blitz in South London in the Second World War and were fortunate not to be at home when
their house was flattened by a German V2 rocket.
John’s father lost Sidney, the youngest son from his first marriage in 1944 when he was killed at the battle of Monte Cassino in Italy, four years before John was born.
Consequently John has grown up with a strong sense of recent history and a growing sense of despair at the lack of understanding and respect of later generations for the sacrifices made on their behalf.
John Steel is a UK based author whose writing explores some of the most critical issues facing the human race through the medium of fiction.
In junior school John was the top sprinter.
In later years running took second place to his love of vintage cars.
He played club rugby for 10 years throughout his 30s, giving up only when he became self-employed, and subsequently took a
level I rugby coaching course to support his youngest son.
He finally reverted to his first love of athletics at the age of 55 when he joined the local Harriers club and since then has
competed as a Masters sprinter athlete although writing has interfered with his ability to train.
John is always keen to hear from his readers.
If you go to “Contact us” and “Get in Touch”, John will always see your message and respond where appropriate.
You might also like to join the Readers Community where you can keep up to date with developments and have your say about what comes next.
“My aim has never been simply to write thrillers. I want to tell stories that entertain, challenge assumptions, and leave readers thinking long after they close the book. The best fiction doesn’t just reflect the world—it helps us understand it.”
Whether you’re discovering Migrant Crisis for the first time or following the next chapter in John’s writing career, you’re invited to become part of a growing community of readers who appreciate intelligent storytelling, compelling characters, and thrillers with real-world significance.
