Mr. Christopher T. Wright

Class of 1982
Career Pathway: Arts & Communications

Chris Wright cites his GHS highlights as tying flies in the library, skiing at Hanson Hills and Skyline and swapping fishing stories with Mr. McClain, Mr. Wieland and Mr. Woodland. And, to quote him, “Graduation was a pleasant surprise.” He then attended Kirtland Community College for "about a semester before excusing myself to find fame and fortune at WQON Radio in Grayling."

He began writing when he was seven years old and said his favorite children’s books are My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl and Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

Under the pen name Johnathan Rand, Mr. Wright has authored 30 children’s books with over 2,000,000 in print, starting with the very popular Michigan Chillers series. He is now writing the American Chillers series and plans to complete at least one book for every state. He said it usually takes him one week to write the first draft of each book and another month or so to rewrite it. And while it is hard to pick his favorite Johnathan Rand book, it probably would be Dinosaurs Destroy Detroit or Ghost in the Graveyard.

Mr. Wright was born in Pontiac and grew up in Waterford until his family moved to Grayling after his fourth grade year. He now lives in Topinabee with his wife Boots and their three big, furry dogs named Abby, Salty and Lily. He loves to be outdoors, scuba dive, free dive, fish, bike, cross-country ski and write. He ties his own flies, describes himself as a fanatical fisherman, and -- to quote him -- “will run when chased.”