On June 17th, 1984 in East York JNV was born. After his mother died in a car accident; his father raised him alongside three siblings in the most rural parts of Waterloo Region, Ontario.

He relocated a great deal after turning sixteen until finally finding himself in St.Catharines, Ontario where he currently resides as a student. JNV won various regional level English awards for Prose in Waterloo region and later on in St. Catharines took first place in the prestigious Marion Drysdale English Awards, an award honouring the best student writer in Ontario, including Toronto.

JNV draws most of his inspiration from stories of people he knows and situations he’s faced. He’s travelled and lived all over southern Ontario, from the busy streets of Toronto to the tourist packed city of Niagara Falls and right back down to some country parts “where even strangers are your neighbour”.

Possible influences on his work could stem from his Jamaican heritage, experiences growing up, incarceration, and dealing with family loss. At various times in his life he has found himself on the wrong side of the law but didn’t elaborate much. “After all,” he stated, “most of the time I’m on the right side.” From the action packed RED WHITE AND BLUE to the personal take of DRIFTING ON DONNE, creativity, visualization, and emotion are incorporated in his poetry.

JNV plays football (soccer) at a competitive level and is currently working on an autobiography even though he hasn’t received any book deals as of yet. The work on this page is a sample of what he’s done and capable of doing through the last few years.Writing was his outlet to channel his regrets and triumphs, his hopes and fears. The ink on these pages is from his sweat and his tears, so if a spark of interest has been ignited somewhere within you feel encouraged to read on-

J.N.Vermont