John was born in St. Marys, a small town in Northwestern Pennsylvania, that was once called the "Carbon Capital of the World." The great-great-grandson of Straub Brewery Founder Peter Straub, he grew up immersed in the beer culture and within walking distance of his family's brewery.

The first writing John published was a front page feature article in his hometown newspaper, The Daily Press, about his family's 4th of July parade tradition. He chronicled how every July 4 his family celebrates the holiday with a private family parade at their woodland retreat. The tradition was started by his Great Uncle Frank Straub, who served as the family's Uncle Sam, almost fifty years ago.

Years later, while continuing to contribute feature articles to Autograph Collector Magazine (now Autograph magazine), in 1998, John became a contributing editor for the magazine and started writing more feature articles as well as a monthly column titled "The Book Collector". He continued to serve as a contributing editor and book critic for the magazine until Fall 2010, writing about some of the world's biggest superstars and pop icons.

During this time, he also wrote a column titled "The Culture Collector" and features pieces about such notable public figures and celebrities as presidential candidates on the campaign trail during the New Hampshire primary, Monica Lewinsky, and artist Peter Max for the now defunct Pop Culture Collecting magazine.

During his early career in the 1990s, John served in the Vice Presidential Communications Office at The White House where he worked with Second Lady Tipper Gore as well as having worked in production and scriptwriting for the national radio series Enterprising Women, fundraising for various national and local non-profits, and Country Music PR at FrontPage Publicity in Nashville where he worked with Naomi Judd and other superstars.

In 2003, John joined the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford as an adjunct professor in the Communication Arts Department, teaching courses in Public Relations, Communications, and writing. He was also the host of the radio program Campus Crossfire for five seasons. During the 2006/2007 school year, John served as the Visiting Assistant Professor for Broadcast Communications.

Since 2005, John has been a promotional writer for the country’s preeminent literary public relations firm and a leading publisher, where he has written on behalf of Hollywood and literary superstars as well as some of the country’s most respected brand names.

John's first published book in 1996 -- Corresponding With History -- told tales of his brushes with fame, in person and as pen pals, with the likes of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Bette Midler, John Wayne Bobbitt, and even Mother Teresa -- and marked the beginning of his historic autograph collection that numbers more than 4,000 signed pieces today and has been widely chronicled in Autograph Collector Magazine (now Autograph magazine).

John has written several other books as well, including Harrah's Entertainment Presents...The Seven Stars Cookbook (2010), The Beer Lover's Cookbook (2009), The Ultimate Beer Lover’s Cookbook: More than 400 Recipes That All Use Beer (2008), The Pennsylvania Celebrities Cookbook (2005), Straub Brewery (2005), The Straub Beer Party Drinks Handbook (2004), and The Straub Beer Cookbook (2003).

While currently on a national book tour in support of The Seven Stars Cookbook, John is also at work on several new book projects, spanning numerous genres.

In addition to his current column for The Daily Caller, John's articles and writings have also appeared in Boys’ Life Magazine, various newspapers, Barbara Delinsky’s Uplift, A Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas, and Republican's Soul.

John’s ongoing community-based efforts include co-directing the award-winning TEAM STRAUB (an adjunct fundraising arm of the Straub Brewery, Inc.), serving on the Board of Directors for Citizens Against Physical, Sexual & Emotional Abuse, and working as a Red Cross-certified swimming instructor for more than twenty years, among other activities.

He has also served as the moderator for the Blood, Guts, & Glory Lecture Series on the media, pop culture, politics, and other topics in 2006, Event/Public Relations Organizer for The Celebrities Gala in 2005, Co-Founder/Organizer of C.A.P.S.E.A., Inc.’s Swim for the Children Fund & related activities, including the annual swim-a-thon and Voice Award from 2000—2003, and Special Events Coordinator at the ASAP Children’s Assistance Fund in Washington, D.C. from 1995—1996.

John graduated Summa Cum Laude from Elk County Christian High School in St. Marys, PA, in 1990. Beginning his college career as a Fashion Design Major at Marymount University in Arlington, VA, in 1990, he switched majors and graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University with a Bachelor's degree in Communications/Public Relations and a minor in Studio Arts.

During the late 1990s, John returned to college at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, earning dual Secondary Education Certifications in English and Speech Communications.

In 2002, John graduated with a Master's in Education from Harvard University.

John currently lives in St. Marys, PA.

Harrah's Entertainment Presents...The Seven Stars Cookbook, 2010.The Beer Lover's Cookbook, Sourcebooks, Inc./Cumberland House Publishing, 2009.The Ultimate Beer Lover's Cookbook, Cumberland House Publishing, 2008.Straub Brewery, Arcadia Publishing, 2005.The Pennsylvania Celebrities Cookbook, Stohn Books, 2005.The Straub Beer Party Drinks Handbook, Stohn Books, 2004.The Straub Beer Cookbook, Stohn Books, 2003.Corresponding With History: The Art & Benefits of Collecting Autographs, ETC Publications, 1996.

Web site: www.JohnSchlimm.com Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA Sourcebooks, Inc. Naperville, IL Straub Brewery, Inc., St. Marys, PA DailyCaller.com Publishers Weekly, Week of June 2, 2008 The Bradford Era UrbanDaddy (Los Angeles edition), May 9, 2008Tri-County Sunday newspaper, May 18, 2008Autograph magazine, June 2008 issueThe Daily Press, June 12, 2008 Fox 13: Good Morning Memphis, June 6, 2008Clear Channel Rock 103 Memphis, Goodtimes Radio Show, June 6, 2008 Memphis Flyer, June 5, 2008The Commercial Appeal, Memphis Playbook, June 6, 2008