John Holliday served in the Royal Air Force before going into the IT industry in the UK, in Canada and then Australia. John's interest in writing arose when he decided to write a memoir of his business life, which was published as Toughing it Out: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur. A visit to a still-functioning orphanage in Jakarta, founded more than 180 years before by his ancestor, Walter Medhurst, kindled his interest in recording Walter's life. So became 'Mission to China: How an Englishman Brought the West to the Orient', published as a hardcover in England, followed by a Chinese version published in Taiwan.

During the research into Walter Medhurst's life, John uncovered the extraordinary life of Clara Colby, whose grandmother was Walter Medhurst's sister. Clara Colby, he determined, must be the subject of my next book. 'Clara Colby: The International Suffragist' had been published in time for the 100th anniversary of American women winning the vote, to which Clara's efforts contributed significantly.

In 2024, John self-published a second edition paperback and ebook version of 'Mission to China: The Life of Walter Henry Medhurst.'

John lives with his wife, Colleen, on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.