John V. Hicks

John V. Hicks was born in London, England and emigrated to Canada as a child. His family settled in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan where he continued to live until his death in 1999. Hicks wrote for many years while working in the civil service and during that time his poetry and prose appeared in many of the best literary publications in North America.

Hicks earned wide critical acclaim, and was called “one of the best poets writing in North America.” In 1987 he earned an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from the University of Saskatchewan, and in 1992 he received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit for his longtime contribution to the arts and his community. During his career John published nine books of poetry, including Rootless Tree (Thistledown, 1985), and Sticks and Strings: Selected and New Poems (Thistledown, 1988), and a non-fiction book, Side Glances: Notes on the Writers Craft (Thistledown, 1988). His first book of poetry, Now Is a Far Country, was published by Thistledown Press in 1978.