John Jenkins

John Jenkins (born 1949) is an Australian poet, non-fiction author and editor. He is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of many books, mostly poetry and non-fiction.

Early life and education Jenkins was born in Melbourne in 1949, and grew up in the suburb of Elwood, the younger of two children. He attended Burwood Technical School and Box Hill High School.

He studied business subjects at Swinburne University of Technology.

His articles and reviews have appeared in Photofile, Agenda, Artstreams, The Age Monthly Review, Australian Book Review, The Australian, Overland, Southerly and other newspapers and periodicals.

His installation, The Arthur Tantrum Letters, was held at Central Street Gallery, Sydney, in 1970.

He has also collaborated widely with other artists and poets, including on various gallery installations and theatrical events. His papers are at special collections, Academy Library, University of NSW at ADFA.

In the 1980s he took part in stage shows at La Mama Theatre, Grant Street Theatre, and other venues in collaboration with musicians, and with dancers from Melbourne's Modern Dance Ensemble.

In the 1990s he took part in a multi-media installation at Adelaide's Experimental Art Foundation.

In 2010, he collaborated with other writers at Jolt Arts.

Recognition and awards Jenkins' work has featured on ABC Radio National's Airplay and Poetica series.

His 2008 collection, Growing Up With Mr Menzies was described by Jill Bamforth as "a complex, layered and original work" in the Cordite Poetry Review.

He has won or been a finalist in a number of literary awards, including: 2004: James Joyce Foundation Suspended Sentence Award 2003: Artsrush Poetry Prize 2004: Shortlisted, FAW Christina Stead Award 2006: Commended, Newcastle Poetry Prize 2005: Melbourne Poets Union Poetry Competition