John Leslie Hart

A voracious reader, John Leslie Hart began writing books as a teen, but when he read his first efforts to a class, they laughed when they heard the word, “lad.” That delayed his work at least a decade. Now, five or six books later, he has never used the word “lad.” He graduated from Weber State College in psychology, originally planned to be a therapist, but on graduation day took off to Los Angeles with $20 and a gas card, and eventually became a newspaper reporter, photographer and associate editor. In his career, he traveled to more than 40 other countries, won the usual awards, retired early, and began publishing his and other books. He was the acting editor of the Deseret News Church Almanac for 15 years. His company, Jacob Marley Publications, offers life-changing books. He enjoys fitness, active outdoor sports and travel. He volunteered in addiction recovery and family history research and has been a lay minister. He and his late wife, Doris, are parents of six children.

His daughter, Kate Hart, has written five books of women's literature.