2026 Writer-in-Residence Varian Johnson

Welcome Ball State’s 2026 Writer-in-Residence

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 graphic novel Twins, illustrated by Shannon Wright, an NPR Best Book.

Varian was born in Florence, South Carolina, and attended the University of Oklahoma, where he received a Bachelor of Science 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. For more about Varian, visit varianjohnson.com.

Books

THE PARKER INHERITANCE

“Powerful…. Johnson writes about the long shadows of the past with such ambition that any reader with a taste for mystery will appreciate the puzzle Candice and Brandon must solve.” — The New York Times Book Review

THE GREAT GREENE HEIST

“A political heist page-turner set in middle school? Is that even possible? Varian Johnson shows us how it’s done, expertly walking the tightrope between true-to-life school experiences and belly laughs.” — Gordon Korman, author of Swindle

PLAYING THE CARDS YOU’RE DEALT

“Playing the Cards You’re Dealt is a necessary tale about how some traditions are worth upholding, and others―especially those that harm people―aren’t.” — Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Long Way Down

TWINS

 “A touching, relatable story of identity, sisterhood, and friendship.” — Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

 “A must-read for middle grade comics lovers.” — School Library Journal, Starred Review

Public Events Featuring Varian Johnson

• Monday, October 19: Varian Johnson “Writing for Young People,” Pittenger Student Center Ballroom at 7:30 p.m. *Doors open for the literary fair at 7:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 21: Featured Reading with Varian Johnson followed by a Conversation with Ashley C. Ford, Pittenger Student Center Ballroom at 1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, October 21: Pizza Party Meet & Greet with Varian Johnson, Ross Community Center at 5:30 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public. Varian Johnson will be available to sign books after each event. After 7 p.m., free parking is available in most campus lots and garages.

The Ball State Writer-in-Residence program is thrilled to bring award-winning author Varian Johnson to Muncie for a week to have conversations with the elementary and middle school students in our community schools and after-school programs who received free copies of Varian Johnson’s books. The residency is sponsored by the Creative Writing Program in the Department of English with generous support from the Efroymson Family Fund, the College of Sciences & Humanities, & the Office of the President.

Questions? Please contact Professor Jill Christman