John R. Corrigan was born in Augusta, Maine. He has worked as a journalist and freelance writer and earned a master's of fine arts degree in creative writing from the University of Texas at El Paso. He has been a regular columnist for Golf Today Magazine.

A passionate teacher, he understands struggles faced by learning-disabled students. In 1979, prior to many discoveries in the field of learning disabilities, Corrigan was broadly diagnosed as "learning disabled, presumed dyslexic" -- a theme that resonates throughout the Jack Austin series. Corrigan has published poetry, academic papers, and feature articles. He has presented papers on teaching writing and study skills to dyslexic students at national conferences and has served on panels at various mystery conventions and conferences.

 
The first Jack Austin novel, CUT SHOT (Sleeping Bear Press, 2001), earned excellent reviews (see "reviews"). In 2002, Corrigan signed with the University Press of New England, an honor that made him UPNE's first mystery novelist and produced SNAP HOOK (2004), CENTER CUT (2004), BAD LIE (2005), and OUT OF BOUNDS (2006). The Jack Austin series has been praised for accurately portraying the stresses associated with high-pressure athletics. Corrigan gained this knowledge firsthand as a hockey goaltender. He played college hockey at SUNY Fredonia.

   
The author, along with his wife and two young daughters, lives at the Pomfret School in Pomfret, Connecticut. There, he teaches Advanced Placement English and Mystery Literature, among other courses, and coaches hockey and golf.