A BalonaBooks author working out in Balona, but without his cello, cat, and computer, etc.
Jonathan Pearce has invested much time and effort in schools, teaching and composing what the innocent often perceive as non-fiction: reports, minutes, speeches, ERIC documents, research studies, and mostly-unmemorable directives and memoranda—before deciding to wallow in the production of fiction. He describes writing fiction as "great fun, with a sweet thing sitting on one shoulder and a demon on the other, guiding my keyboarding fingers." Jonathan has twenty-two novels to his credit, many he does not brag about in the care of more-or-less reputable subsidy publishers, and twelve he is pleased with (including non-fiction works by other authors) now under the BalonaBooks imprint, with yet another on the way. He holds degrees from the University of the Pacific where his undergraduate major was music and his graduate studies (at UOP, University of Chicago, and Columbia University) have included English, music, psychology, education, languages, and philosophy. When summoned to do so, he teaches part-time in California State University, Stanislaus. He continues to compose fiction and design books. He also referees and edits academic non-fiction, reviews fiction; and does Asian martial arts and plays cello (both in moderation) for additional joy.