From The Booking Desk:

My first knowledge of John Bychowski was as “that tall guy taking excellent photographs at the crime fiction conventions.” Fortunately, he and I had a chance to talk a bit during the graveyard tour before one of the recent Bouchercons (Raleigh, I think?) He was as cool a guy as you would expect from his fine photography skills – and he also happens to have great taste in reading. Now, with each new crime fiction convention, I look forward to seeing and catching up with John. If you haven’t chatted with John yet, make a point of doing so the next you see him; he’s likely to give you some great reading recommendations and will probably ask to take your photo (hint, say yes – you’ll be happier with that photo than most similar snapshots). But first, let’s see how he approaches our Composite Sketch questionnaire.

Name:   John T. Bychowski
Location:   Carol Stream, IL

This person from my personal life is such an inspiration:

Easy one. My dad was and remains my inspiration and hero. He was a hard-working, compassionate family man who always looked for the good in others. Growing up, even though we didn’t own many books, he made sure that I knew the importance of reading and getting a strong education. As a youth he ferried me to and from the library frequently, helping feed what has become a life-long passion. He died when he wasn’t much older than I am now, but I hold his spirit strong within me.

One of the people I admire most in the crime fiction community is:

I have been fortunate to meet and get to know many admirable individuals within our community but I will single out two: Taylor Stevens and Louise Penny.

Taylor was born and raised in a religious cult and never received more than the equivalent of a partial grade school education, yet was able to disengage from the group, set some formidable goals for herself, and by strength of will and spirit manage to become (against all odds) an award-winning novelist and wonderful person.

Louise, on the other hand, was dealt a very challenging hand after she was a successful (and award-winning) writer but her ability to share the hard times in her life with her readers, and do it with grace and love and joy, has been awe-inspiring and strengthening to me.

STALKER ALERT! If this fictional character were real, they would likely need to get a restraining order against me:

I will pick a couple, one a book character and one a TV character (and keep in mind that I am happily married, and have never been a real stalker!):

Dana Stabenow’s Kate Shugak – I love the Alaskan setting of the books, love the fact that Kate is a kickass fireball of a protagonist, and it doesn’t hurt that she is (in my imagination) HOT!

The 11th Doctor’s companion, Amelia (Amy) Pond – A redhead, and HOT! (‘nuff said!)

People are always surprised that I am a fan of this individual (singer, actor, or artist):

Sierra Hull, bluegrass mandolin wiz.

My personal catch phase is (or should be):

Semper Ubi Sub Ubi!  (I leave it to the reader to translate and groan at my fractured Latin)