Varian will share the journey of how he grew from a reader to engineer to author, using examples from his extensive body of work to show how he writes and revises. He’ll talk about his collaboration with Shannon Wright to create the graphic novel Twins. A Q&A will follow.

About Varian

Varian Johnson is the author of several novels for children and young adults, including The Parker Inheritance, which won both Coretta Scott King Author Honor and Boston Globe/Horn Book Honor awards; The Great Greene Heist, an ALA Notable Children’s book and Kirkus Reviews Best Book; and the bestselling graphic novel Twins, illustrated by Shannon Wright, which was and Eisner Award nominee and named to countless Best Books of 2020 lists. His latest novel Playing the Cards You’re Dealt has received THREE STARRED Reviews.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a BS in Civil Engineering. He later received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and is honored to now be a member of the faculty. Varian lives outside of Austin, TX with his family.

Ask Varian

Have a question for Varian? We want to hear from you! Send it in advance to youth@westvanlibrary.ca or email us during the live discussion (we will have a librarian monitoring email and passing questions along to Patricia).

All are welcome, but Varian’s book is best for Grades 3+.

Learn more about this Literary Festival for Young People at westvanlib.ca