John A. Underwood was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He began writing at the age of six and believes that, after more than thirty years, he is almost good at it.

He has been a college student, cook, contract laborer, receptionist, grocery store clerk, bookstore clerk, bartender, restaurant manager, and a homeless person at different times in his life.

In addition to space opera and short works of speculative fiction, John writes absurdist fantasy and sci-fi under the name Johnson Underwood.

John currently lives in Knoxville, Tennessee.