Catherine Johnson: 'I believe books and reading are the best way for young minds to explore and experience the world'
BY Emily Powter-Robinson
11th Jan 2024
Catherine Johnson is an award-winning children’s and YA author. Her book Sawbones won the Young Quills Prize for best Historical Fiction and was nominated for the Carnegie medal in 2015. Her historical middle grade novel Freedom won the 2019 Little Rebels Award for Radical Children's Fiction. Catherine is also the much-loved tutor of our three-month online Writing YA & Children’s Fiction course. Over the last ten years, she has helped many students become published authors including Penny Chrimes (Tiger Heart), Michael Mann (Ghostcloud), Cynthia Murphy (Last One to Die) and Jenny Pearson (The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates) amongst others!
We caught up with Catherine to discover her tips for dealing with hard-hitting topics in a way that works for younger readers and to find out what she loves about teaching for us.
When did you know you wanted to be an author?
I was a young mother and not happy working in the office of a (very) small film company. I was pitching screenwriting ideas and was incredibly lucky in that one project idea was sent on to a tiny publisher. I never thought I could write a book – so many words! - but I was lucky enough to have a brilliant editor who helped me. After I had written one I wanted to do it again and again…..
What's the most rewarding part of teaching creative writing on our Writing YA & Children’s Fiction – Three Months course?
I love it when the writers ‘get’ it. When you see new writers grasping change that really turbo charges their stories, it is incredibly satisfying. Even better is seeing how many ex CBC-ers getting their books out in the world, there are more and more every year – even a couple of real superstars – you know who you are….
Many of your books are based on historical events and include real issues such as death, violence, and war. How do you deal with these topics in a way that is sensitive for younger readers?
I think one has to be pretty strongly steeped in the sort of books one’s readers are reading so you have a good idea of the tone needed. But I do think it’s important not to sugar coat life. Children’s eyes are open, and I believe books and reading are the best way for young minds to explore and experience the world. Children know all about righteous indignation and children’s books are a good way of firing up indignation and developing empathy.
Your latest children’s book, Journey Back to Freedom, is based on a true story and celebrates the incredible life of Olaudah Equiano. What inspired you to tell this story?
I love writing history and I love igniting that righteous indignation. Equiano’s story is one which everyone should know, he was pivotal in the abolition movement, a best selling author, and his life was thrilling and unbelievable.
Which YA and children’s fiction books are on your reading list for 2024?
Most of all, two writers whose work I read on the course, Pui Das Gupta’s debut, Secrets of the Snakestone and the new Penny Chrimes, Moonshifter.
You have won many awards over the span of your career, including the Little Rebels Award for Radical Children's Fiction. Since then, you have been invited back to judge the competition, and you have also been on the judging panel for the Jhalak Prize. What makes a piece of writing stand out when you’re reading competition submissions?
Whatever I read I want to be swept away, I want energy, excitement and emotion!
Finally, do you have any thoughts on the best way for a writer to get the most out of their three-month Writing YA & Children’s Fiction course?
I think writers need to come to the course with an open mind and an open heart. Be ready to work hard and to be generous with your fellow writers. It’s a brilliant opportunity, to get other interested readers to go through your work with you, and to develop one’s own critical faculty. It’s often the first time for writers to have the time and space to talk deeply and professionally about one’s work.
I would recommend coming with an open mind, and a hunger for words.
Do you want to learn more from Catherine Johnson?
Applications are open for our upcoming Writing YA & Children’s Fiction – Three Months course. Deadline 21 Jan 2024.
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