Tethered Realities — Where Storytelling Isn’t Just Expression, It’s Resistance

At Tethered Realities, storytelling isn’t confined to pages—it’s a force. A disruption. A truth-telling weapon in a world that too often rewards silence and conformity.

My work breaks past the polished façades of mainstream narratives, reaching into the raw edges of history, culture, trauma, and human identity. Every piece—whether it’s photography, spoken word, investigative prose, surreal fiction, or poetry—is designed to spark something deeper than entertainment. It’s crafted to challenge, expose, and awaken.

I don’t write for trends.
I write for people who are tired of being spoon-fed watered-down versions of reality.

Through projects like Tethered Realities, The Realist Juggernaut with its blog of serious truths, the Ink & Fire poetry series, The Inevitable, and The Forgotten Outpost, I create stories that don’t play it safe—stories that provoke, resonate, and refuse to be forgotten.
These are narratives born from lived experience, anchored in resilience, and sharpened by truth.

As an independent author and multidisciplinary creator, my mission is simple:

• To deliver unfiltered storytelling with soul, depth, and consequence.

• To give voice to what most won't say.

• To tether people to the reality they feel—but rarely see reflected.

If you're ready to go beyond surface-level noise—welcome.
This is where real stories begin.

Spotlight Feature

In addition to my long-form storytelling and spoken-word work, I was recently featured in Spillwords Press’ “Spotlight on Writers” — a series that highlights creators who push boundaries and bring something different to the page.
You can read the full feature here: 👉 https://spillwords.com/spotlight-on-writers-john-neff/

Featured Work

📝 Featured Poem — Spillwords Press

🔥 “The Battle We Call Living”
Selected as a FEATURED POST on Spillwords Press
📅 Published: May 24, 2025
🔗 Read the poem here

A raw, unfiltered meditation on survival, scars, and the quiet strength it takes to keep rising. 

📸 Published Photography — Bold & Beyond Magazine

Bold & Beyond Magazine – Issue 277 (Nature Edition)
📷 4-page photo feature + 3 additional placements
🔗 View or purchase the issue

Featuring a series of emotionally charged nature photographs selected for their depth, contrast, and storytelling through visual isolation and wild beauty.