He was Chopped, then Broken; now he's developing Fits.

Levitated Apples is pleased to note that one of its initial contributors to the weblog is now supporting the page on a regular basis, having recently retired from the business world to spend more time on creative pursuits.

Artist and writer John Newton, whose activities with Newton Communications extended from design and writing to public relations work and speechwriting, is now becoming known for his wordplay and poetry.

Already, the former creative director with three major advertising agencies has published two acclaimed books of wordplay, “Chopped Into Pieces” and “Broken Into Bits” (via Chestnut Publishing) and is completing a third, “Fits and Starts” continuing his love affair with comic and curious verse.   

Former Arts West Magazine publisher Deborah Pedherny said of his subtle style: ‘John Newton colours our lives with profundity wrapped in whimsy.’  

At the same time, his first collection of serious poetry is ready for publication – including pieces written for such prestigious publications as The Malahat Review and Canadian Literature quarterly.  

This past January, his poem “September of Forty-Four” was long-listed for The Munster Literature Centre’s Gregory O’Donahue International Poetry Competition; ‘it stood out,’ said the Centre, ‘from over 1,800 entries which is an achievement in itself.’

You can keep posted on his new creations right here – and enjoy his frequent and continuing coverage of worldwide Arts and Letters.