Varian Johnson
@varianjohnson.bsky.social
I used to design bridges but now I write books. My novels include TWINS, THE PARKER INHERITANCE, THE GREAT GREENE HEIST & PLAYING THE CARDS YOU'RE DEALT. VCFA/OU. He/Him. http://linktr.ee/varianjohnson
Reposted by Varian Johnson
VCFA residencies happen twice per year on the CalArts campus AND online. For the past several semesters I've done residency online & it's a lovely, robust experience with lots of strong community vibes. There are Cloud-only events (workshop, seminars) & hybrid events with campus folk (lectures, etc)
October 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
VCFA residencies happen twice per year on the CalArts campus AND online. For the past several semesters I've done residency online & it's a lovely, robust experience with lots of strong community vibes. There are Cloud-only events (workshop, seminars) & hybrid events with campus folk (lectures, etc)
Reposted by Varian Johnson
New scholarships available for incoming students in the Writing for Children & Young Adults low-residency MFA program at VFCA (where I teach), funded by kid lit legend Katherine Paterson.
Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...
Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...
October 15, 2025 at 4:05 PM
New scholarships available for incoming students in the Writing for Children & Young Adults low-residency MFA program at VFCA (where I teach), funded by kid lit legend Katherine Paterson.
Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...
Thinking about applying? I'm happy to chat! vcfa.edu/admissions/v...
Earth, Wind & Fire - September (Official HD Video)
YouTube video by EarthWindandFireVEVO
youtu.be
September 22, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Reposted by Varian Johnson
“ALSC is proud to announce that the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture will take place at the Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota." www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/08... #KidLit
August 5, 2025 at 3:37 PM
“ALSC is proud to announce that the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture will take place at the Elmer L. Andersen Library, University of Minnesota Libraries, Minneapolis, Minnesota." www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/08... #KidLit
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Yet. Another. Fake. Literary. Agency: Writers Literary. Among other things, totally false claims about authors and books repped, and images of supposed staff are stock photos. They're sending out fake publishing offers to writers writersliterary.com
Writers Literary
writersliterary.com
July 24, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Yet. Another. Fake. Literary. Agency: Writers Literary. Among other things, totally false claims about authors and books repped, and images of supposed staff are stock photos. They're sending out fake publishing offers to writers writersliterary.com
Reposted by Varian Johnson
You may know this, but they're reissuing Slice of Cherry in June and the redesigned cover is going to really sell it to a new generation.
April 13, 2025 at 10:04 PM
You may know this, but they're reissuing Slice of Cherry in June and the redesigned cover is going to really sell it to a new generation.
Reposted by Varian Johnson
It's time to par-tee! ⛳️ Father's Day is this Sunday!
June 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
It's time to par-tee! ⛳️ Father's Day is this Sunday!
Reposted by Varian Johnson
I was asked today what my best publishing advice is: You have no idea how close you are to achieving your goal, but the only guarantee is that if you give up now, you’ll never get there. Keep going!
May 15, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I was asked today what my best publishing advice is: You have no idea how close you are to achieving your goal, but the only guarantee is that if you give up now, you’ll never get there. Keep going!
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Happy book birthday to @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social and Kate Gardiner's Firefly Season!
May 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Happy book birthday to @cynleitichsmith.bsky.social and Kate Gardiner's Firefly Season!
Reposted by Varian Johnson
New book alert! Signed LITTLE BIG MAN by @varianjohnson.bsky.social and @reggiebrownart.bsky.social is waiting in the @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social!
Give culturally diverse books (like this one) to culturally diverse communities through #read4unity. Go to read4unity.com/give $5=1 book!
Give culturally diverse books (like this one) to culturally diverse communities through #read4unity. Go to read4unity.com/give $5=1 book!
May 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
New book alert! Signed LITTLE BIG MAN by @varianjohnson.bsky.social and @reggiebrownart.bsky.social is waiting in the @littlefreelibrary.bsky.social!
Give culturally diverse books (like this one) to culturally diverse communities through #read4unity. Go to read4unity.com/give $5=1 book!
Give culturally diverse books (like this one) to culturally diverse communities through #read4unity. Go to read4unity.com/give $5=1 book!
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Happy Thursday! A new episode of the Book Fiare Podcsst is out now, featuring an insightful interview with @varianjohnson.bsky.social
Listen now on Spotify or wherever podcasts are found.
#Podcast #kidlit
open.spotify.com/episode/5eOU...
Listen now on Spotify or wherever podcasts are found.
#Podcast #kidlit
open.spotify.com/episode/5eOU...
An Interview with Varian Johnson | The Book Faire: May 8, 2025
The Book Faire Podcast · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 8, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Happy Thursday! A new episode of the Book Fiare Podcsst is out now, featuring an insightful interview with @varianjohnson.bsky.social
Listen now on Spotify or wherever podcasts are found.
#Podcast #kidlit
open.spotify.com/episode/5eOU...
Listen now on Spotify or wherever podcasts are found.
#Podcast #kidlit
open.spotify.com/episode/5eOU...
Reposted by Varian Johnson
“Now that I look back, I realize how blessed I was to be able to spend so much time with my father”: Varian Johnson reflects on his own relationship with his father, in a conversation with Reggie Brown on their new picture book ‘Little Big Man’ buff.ly/wosAlUi
April 30, 2025 at 11:45 AM
“Now that I look back, I realize how blessed I was to be able to spend so much time with my father”: Varian Johnson reflects on his own relationship with his father, in a conversation with Reggie Brown on their new picture book ‘Little Big Man’ buff.ly/wosAlUi
Congratulations @katemessner.com
Happy Pub Day to @katemessner.com and THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES!
⭐ PW: "Moving and profoundly funny"
⭐ Kirkus: "An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism."
⭐ Booklist: "A gently reflective, bittersweet, and redemptive story."
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
⭐ PW: "Moving and profoundly funny"
⭐ Kirkus: "An adventurous work whose authentic voice celebrates the outdoors and everyday heroism."
⭐ Booklist: "A gently reflective, bittersweet, and redemptive story."
bookshop.org/p/books/the-...
April 29, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Congratulations @katemessner.com
Congratulations, @lakitawilson.bsky.social!!!
★ Lakita Wilson “highlights topics of financial inequity, privilege, and community” in her YA novel PRETTY GIRL COUNTY, “a powerful tale of first love and second-chance friendship” buff.ly/SUVdjyr
April 28, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Congratulations, @lakitawilson.bsky.social!!!
I just signed. Will you?
I don’t understand why HarperCollins refused to join other major publishers and sign the letter to Congress in support of IMLS.
So, I wrote a letter to HarperCollins.
Libraries and librarians need our support. Authors and industry professionals, please sign this letter using this form. 👇 🙏 📚
So, I wrote a letter to HarperCollins.
Libraries and librarians need our support. Authors and industry professionals, please sign this letter using this form. 👇 🙏 📚
April 14, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I just signed. Will you?
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Join Coretta Scott King Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor-winning author @varianjohnson.bsky.social on May 5th discussing LITTLE BIG MAN, a heartwarming father-son story about the importance of stepping up... and finding time to play.
More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...
More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...
April 14, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Join Coretta Scott King Honor and Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor-winning author @varianjohnson.bsky.social on May 5th discussing LITTLE BIG MAN, a heartwarming father-son story about the importance of stepping up... and finding time to play.
More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...
More info + RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/bookpeople...
Reposted by Varian Johnson
It's beyond surreal, but here we are: the US Supreme Court is discussing the imaginary threat posed by queer families and kids being included in a handful of story books.
Thanks to Sarah Brennan for this brilliant editorial cartoon. Oral arguments will take place April 22.
Thanks to Sarah Brennan for this brilliant editorial cartoon. Oral arguments will take place April 22.
April 14, 2025 at 3:47 PM
It's beyond surreal, but here we are: the US Supreme Court is discussing the imaginary threat posed by queer families and kids being included in a handful of story books.
Thanks to Sarah Brennan for this brilliant editorial cartoon. Oral arguments will take place April 22.
Thanks to Sarah Brennan for this brilliant editorial cartoon. Oral arguments will take place April 22.
After working on this book for years, I'm excited that LITTLE BIG MAN, my debut picture book with @reggiebrownart.bsky.social, is almost out in stores. More details are coming soon concerning preorders, the tour, and other events, but for now, here's a bit from the book!
youtu.be/QFh9_dYVTec?...
youtu.be/QFh9_dYVTec?...
Varian Johnson presents LITTLE BIG MAN
YouTube video by Brodart Co.
youtu.be
April 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
After working on this book for years, I'm excited that LITTLE BIG MAN, my debut picture book with @reggiebrownart.bsky.social, is almost out in stores. More details are coming soon concerning preorders, the tour, and other events, but for now, here's a bit from the book!
youtu.be/QFh9_dYVTec?...
youtu.be/QFh9_dYVTec?...
Reposted by Varian Johnson
ATTN Readers! Find out how to support libraries & library personnel in 2025 at the ALSC Blog: Pursuing Excellence for Library Service to Children: www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/02... #kidlit #libraries #picturebooks #librarians @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @aaslala.bsky.social @wearealsc.bsky.social
March 23, 2025 at 3:04 PM
ATTN Readers! Find out how to support libraries & library personnel in 2025 at the ALSC Blog: Pursuing Excellence for Library Service to Children: www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2025/02... #kidlit #libraries #picturebooks #librarians @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social @aaslala.bsky.social @wearealsc.bsky.social
Reposted by Varian Johnson
The Texas Institute of Letters has announced the winners of 12 Annual TIL Literary Awards. This year, TIL will award these writers and 2 other recipients a total of $39,000 in prizes at the TIL Awards Ceremony in Brownsville on April 26. The TIL is a nonprofit Honor Society founded in 1936. #booksky
March 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The Texas Institute of Letters has announced the winners of 12 Annual TIL Literary Awards. This year, TIL will award these writers and 2 other recipients a total of $39,000 in prizes at the TIL Awards Ceremony in Brownsville on April 26. The TIL is a nonprofit Honor Society founded in 1936. #booksky
Thank you, Laurie!
Little Big Man, by Varian Johnson & Reggie Brown is amazing!! Pre-order now!!
shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecomm...
@varianjohnson.bsky.social
shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecomm...
@varianjohnson.bsky.social
March 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Thank you, Laurie!
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Study counteracts claims by conservative lawmakers that books being removed from classrooms are sexually explicit
The majority of banned books in US public schools last year dealt with people of color, LGBTQ+ people and other demographics, according to a…
www.theguardian.com
February 27, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Most banned books feature people of color and LGBTQ+ people, report finds
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Reposted by Varian Johnson
Recently finished Playing the Cards You're Dealt by @varianjohnson.bsky.social Really lovely #mglit story that manages to tackle serious issues like parental alcoholism while also being about family, friendship, and spades. The narrator is excellent and adds a lot of humor. Recommended! #tlsky
February 6, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Recently finished Playing the Cards You're Dealt by @varianjohnson.bsky.social Really lovely #mglit story that manages to tackle serious issues like parental alcoholism while also being about family, friendship, and spades. The narrator is excellent and adds a lot of humor. Recommended! #tlsky
Reposted by Varian Johnson
@varianjohnson.bsky.social Daniel Isles, John Ridley, @josevillarrubia.bsky.social @yayforzig.bsky.social Federico Vicentini, @davidfwalker.bsky.social @thesteveorlando.bsky.socialJD Faith, John Lewis, @andrewaydin.bsky.social @natepowell.bsky.social Sanford Greene, Chuck Brown, and James Spooner
February 3, 2025 at 2:41 AM
@varianjohnson.bsky.social Daniel Isles, John Ridley, @josevillarrubia.bsky.social @yayforzig.bsky.social Federico Vicentini, @davidfwalker.bsky.social @thesteveorlando.bsky.socialJD Faith, John Lewis, @andrewaydin.bsky.social @natepowell.bsky.social Sanford Greene, Chuck Brown, and James Spooner