John Terpstra

John Terpstra is a Canadian poet and carpenter.

Life
Terpstra was born in Brockville, Ontario. During much of his childhood, he lived in Edmonton, Alberta, but moved back to Ontario to attend high school in Hamilton. He was educated at Trinity Christian College, Chicago, and the University of Toronto.

He has lived in Hamilton for more than 25 years. He is self-employed as a carpenter and cabinet maker. Jhn Terpstra: Biography, Canadian Poetry Online, University of Toronto Libraries

Released a spoken-word recording of his poems in 2000, called "Nod Me In, Shake Me Out", with composer, arranger and producer Bart Nameth, violinist Hugh Marsh, and others.

Recognition

 * 1988: Bressani Prize, "Forty Days and Forty Nights"
 * 1992: CBC Radio Literary Competition, "Captain Kintail"
 * 2004: poetry finalist, Governor General's Awards, Disarmament
 * 2006: finalist, Charles Taylor Prize, BC Award for Canadian Non-fiction, The Boys, or Waiting for the Electrician's Daughter