John L. Parker Jr. is an acclaimed American writer best known for his iconic novel Once A Runner and its sequels Again to Carthage and Racing the Rain. These works form a trilogy that delves into the life and challenges of Quenton Cassidy, a passionate middle-distance runner.

In Once A Runner, initially published in 1978, readers are introduced to the tenacious Cassidy, a college athlete who, after being suspended from school and barred from university track meets, trains clandestinely, hoping to compete incognito.

The sequel, Again to Carthage, published in 2007, follows Cassidy a decade later, as he returns to the world of running, striving to relive the glory and intensity of his former running days through long-distance training.

The third book, Racing the Rain, published in 2015, offers a prequel perspective, exploring Cassidy's formative years.

Beyond his novels, Parker has contributed to prestigious publications such as Outside and Runner’s World. He is a former three-time Southeastern Conference mile champion and a national champion in the steeplechase under the United States Track and Field Federation. He competed alongside Olympians including Frank Shorter and Jack Bacheler.

A graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and its College of Law, Parker's professional journey is as diverse as it is impressive. He has worked as a practicing attorney, a newspaper reporter and columnist, a speechwriter for former Governor Bob Graham, and as editorial director of Running Times magazine. Parker currently resides in Gainesville, Florida, and Bar Harbor, Maine.