Cirrus@Austlit

From a young age Jeff Guess felt inclined towards a religious vocation. He undertook some preliminary theological study in Melbourne before deciding to return to South Australia , where he resumed a career in personnel management in the State Public Service.

In 1974 he resumed studies, attending Flinders University and graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy and a Teaching Diploma. He has taught high-school English in South Australia, lectured at TAFE, and run writing workshops.

Praised for their intensity and lyrical qualities, Guess's poems are often spiritual in nature, and reflect Guess's abiding interest in history and language. His work has been published in numerous Australian newspapers and literary magazines, and has also appeared in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, England and Wales. He has judged several writing competitions and has been a regularly invited speaker.