Katherine Johnson Katherine Johnson i(A111531 works by) (a.k.a. Katherine Jane Johnson)
Born: Established: 1971 Brisbane, Queensland, ;
Gender: Female
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BiographyHistory

Katherine Johnson was born in Queensland and grew up alongside the fig-tree lined Brisbane River. At university she combined her two loves ― writing and biology ― graduating with both Arts and Science degrees, with honours in marine biology. Katherine then moved to Tasmania where, after more than a decade working as a science journalist for the CSIRO and other organisations, she began writing fiction: stories of love, loss and resilience set against wild landscapes. Her first novel, Pescador’s Wake is set on the Southern Ocean, in South America and Tasmania. Her second novel, The Better Son, was published by Ventura Press in 2016 and is a Tasmanian Literary Award winner. She was completed her  PhD in creative writing at the University of Tasmania. 

Source:http://www.venturapress.com.au/katherine-johnson

Most Referenced Works

Awards for Works

y separately published work icon Paris Savages Paddington : Ventura Press , 2019 16671641 2019 single work novel historical fiction

'On beautiful Fraser Island in 1882, the population of the Badtjala people is in sharp decline following a run of brutal massacres. When German man Louis Müller offers to sail eighteen-year-old Bonny to Europe, along with twenty-two year old Jurano and his fifteen-year-old niece, Donordera, the proud and headstrong Bonny agrees.

'Accompanied by Müller’s bright and grieving daughter, Hilda, the group begins their journey to perform in Hamburg, Berlin, Paris and eventually London in the hope of seeking help from the Queen of England.

'While crowds in Europe are enthusiastic to see the unique dances, singing, fights, and pole climbing from the oldest culture in the world, the attention is relentless, and the fascination of scientists intrusive. Bonny is not a passive victim, and starts to earn money from mocking the crowd, but when disaster strikes, he must find a way to return home.

'A story of love, bravery, culture and the fight against injustice, Paris Savages brings a little-known part of history to blazing life, from one of Australia’s most intriguing novelists.' (Publication summary)

2022 longlisted Tasmania Book Prizes Tasmanian Literary Awards Premier's Prize for Fiction
2022 longlisted APA Book Design Awards Best Designed Commercial Fiction Cover designed by Josh Durham, Design by Committee.
2020 shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIA) Small Publishers' Adult Book of the Year
y separately published work icon The Better Son Edgecliff : Ventura Press , 2016 10226284 2016 single work novel thriller

'1952. Tasmania. The green, rolling hills of the dairy town Mole Creek have a dark underside — a labyrinthine underworld of tunnels that stretch for countless miles, caverns the size of cathedrals and underground rivers that flood after heavy rain. The caves are dangerous places, forbidden to children. But this is Tasmania — an island at the end of the earth. Here, rules are made to be broken.

'For two young brothers, a hidden cave a short walk from the family farm seems the perfect escape from their abusive, shell-shocked father — until the older brother goes missing. Fearful of his father, nine-year-old Kip lies about what happened. It is a decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life.

'Fifty years later, Kip — now an award-winning scientist — has a young son of his own, but cannot look at him without seeing his lost brother, Tommy. On a mission of atonement, he returns to the cave they called Kubla to discover if it’s ever too late to set things right. To have a second chance. To be the father he never had.

'The Better Son is a richly imaginative and universal story about the danger of secrets, the beauty in forgiveness and the enthralling power of Tasmania’s unique natural landscapes.' (Publication summary)

2017 longlisted Tasmania Book Prizes Tasmanian Literary Awards Tasmania Book Prize
2013 winner Tasmania Book Prizes Tasmanian Literary Awards University of Tasmania Prize

(as Kubla)

2013 winner Tasmania Book Prizes Tasmanian Literary Awards University of Tasmania Prize Peoples Choice Award

(as Kubla)

2017 longlisted Davitt Award Best Adult Crime Novel
2017 longlisted Indie Awards Fiction
Last amended 11 Dec 2020 08:40:30
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