John Alexander Watler

John Alexander Watler (6 November 1938 – 23 December 2015) was a Belizean novelist, master storyteller, poet, playwright and literary performer. He was born in Monkey River Village, Stann Creek District, Belize (British Honduras).

Early career Watler began writing compositions at the age of 13. His schoolmaster encouraged his talent by giving him private lessons in English and grammar. Walter went on to excel in both elementary school and high school. Seeing that his parents were unable to send him to University, he began looking for work.

Among his other published works are novels such as: Blue Hole, The Bomba Codex, The Banjuju Tribe, The Snake Doctor, Renaissance and Antics. He also published “Escape to Nomo Nomo” which is a lyrical folklore comedy and “Story of Belize City,” which is a historical, epic poem.

Watler also served as an elder member of the American National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS) and served on their Scholar's Panel at their 2010 national convention in Minneapolis, MN. He was also a member of the International Storyteller's Association.

Awards Watler was the recipient of the Gold Medal Award in 1978 by National Festival of Arts: Historic Narrative as well as the National Poetry Contest Award in 1999 by National Institute of Cultural and History in Belize. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011/2012, in Chicago, Illinois.