Joseph R Mason.

Joseph R. Mason (pseudonym of Richard J. Kirk BCS, ACS, DiPC, DiMAP,) was born in the early 1950s in East Dereham, Norfolk, England and has a birth certificate to prove it. His mother passed at four days old and later he was adopted in London, he carries a profound sense of identity and belonging, writing under his birth name to honour his biological family. Though he describes his adoption as somewhat loveless, (perception may not equal reality,) Joseph found resilience and purpose in his journey. At his adoption he was renamed Richard J. Kirk and has another birth certifate to prove it!

Written off as a potential failure by his teachers and peers he rose to become a director of a ‘bluechip’ engineering company by the time he was 35. Now retired from that successful career as an engineer, Joseph resides in Eastbourne, East Sussex, where he has been an active member of a large Baptist church since 1980. He has faithfully served in church leadership for over two decades, caring for members and supporting community life.

His eclectic professional background includes roles as a gliding instructor with RAF Kenley’s 615 Squadron and a social worker for Surrey County Council, where he met his wife Julia. Married since 1977, the couple has three grown children and five grandchildren.

Joseph’s writing spans fantasy, science fiction, theology, non-fiction, and poetry. He’s the author of The Tales of Trymyll trilogy, Thomas, Wizard’s Son; Jonathan, Dragon Master; Glynda, Dragon Slayer, The Misadventures of Mathew Mathews. (Wizard, Occasionally Competent.), as well as more serious works, The Acts of Paul & Thecla, now in its third revised edition and a new book chronicling Paul’s Fourth Missionary Journey. He is now embarking on a series of easy to read and understand theology books spanning the New Testament. Starting with Matthew, Mark, Luke …. Through to Revelation. This new venture will span about 20 books as he works through the New Testament sequentially. His devotional and practical works reflect his passion for clarity and accessibility.

A self-described “panster,” Joseph writes fiction instinctively, while his non-fiction is meticulously researched. An avid reader, particularly of the Bible, he structures much of his fictional works with short chapters, ideal for bedtime reading.

Joseph has also pursuing additional training, including counselling and psychology studies, and continues to explore poetry, with a weekly poem being his personal challenge. He regularly shares blog reflections, nutrition insights, poetry and haiku on his site – www.josephmasonauthor.com.

Today, Joseph writes both for enjoyment and in the hope of touching others. He invites readers to connect through his newsletter and even begs the occasional “coffee” contribution to support his ongoing creative work.

If you like what I write, please treat me to a coffee. Thank you.

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©Richard J. Kirk – 2025

The author name of Joseph R Mason is the pseudonym of Richard J. Kirk, therefore all publishing rights, copyright and ownership of any manuscripts are the sole property of Richard J. Kirk.

As provided by The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.

Any characters in published stories or poems are fictitious. Certain long-standing institutions, agencies, and public offices may be mentioned, but the characters involved are imaginary unless otherwise stated.

All rights reserved.