Who am I?
Welcome to Water Planet Studio. I’m John Benjamin Sciarra, an artist and writer inspired by the beauty, color, and mystery of the ocean. Through handcrafted coral reef sculptures and vibrant marine artwork, I invite you to step into an underwater world shaped by imagination, artistry, and real ocean experience.
- Former Curator of Exhibits, Mystic Aquarium
- Zebrafish Expert, Pfizer Global R&D
- Founder, SE CT Authors and Publishers
- Author of 13 books and novels
Welcome to my Author Page!
About the Author
I once told my father that I never wanted to retire—I wanted to be a published author. He passed away before I completed my first novel, “Noah’s Diary,” but since then I’ve written 13 books and novels, ghostwritten three more, edited several others, and written an animal stories column for three different newspapers. My stories avoid unnecessary violence and contain no sex or foul language, focusing instead on honest, meaningful tales about animals and the sea.
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Explore other Books and Novels in the Discover Section Below!
True Stories I
Samson the Steller Sea Lion is the true story of my experiences training and caring for a dangerous marine mammal in the early 1970s at Mystic Marinelife Aquarium (now Mystic Aquarium). No one had much experience back then, and we had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into. This is a poignant look into the mind of one aquarist and the tentative relationship between human and animal, with all the mistakes and successes—no fluff.
True Stories II
A normal day at a public aquarium is anything but normal. Working with marine life that can bite, sting, scratch, and behave unpredictably can make anyone lose some hair. In this book, I share exciting, funny, and thought-provoking stories from my early years as an aquarist and later Curator of Exhibits, while also offering an eye-opening look at the dangers many of Earth’s marine species now face.
A Thriller!
Beachmaster follows Goliath, a one-ton Steller’s sea lion who escapes from a major public aquarium off the coast of Connecticut with one instinctive goal: find a mate. As his search leaves destruction and danger in its wake, Curator Ben Harrington and aquarist Ronnie Semanski race to save him from those who want him dead—including a vengeful psychopath posing as an animal activist.
Get in Touch
Whether you're interested in a custom coral sculpture, looking for a signed copy of my latest novel, or just want to share your love for the ocean—I'd love to hear from you.
Email: jbsciarra@gmail.com
Studio: Summerfield, Florida