Ball State University will welcome Varian Johnson, a notable author of children’s, middle-grade, and young adult literature, to campus this Fall for its 2026 Writer-in-Residence program.
Mr. Johnson is the author of several novels, including The Parker Inheritance, which received both a Coretta Scott King Author Honor and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor; 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.
During Mr. Johnson’s visit to the University—Oct. 19-21—he will speak to Ball State students in the classroom and participate in multiple book-related events with students at various elementary and middle schools in Muncie.
The events featuring Mr. Johnson that are free and open to the community include:
- Monday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.: Writing for Young People Lecture, Pittenger Student Center Ballroom. Doors open for the literary fair at 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1 p.m.: Featured Reading and a Conversation with Ashley C. Ford, Pittenger Student Center Ballroom
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m.: Pizza Party Meet & Greet, Ross Community Center, 1110 W. 10th St., in Muncie
Mr. Johnson will be available to sign books after each event. After 7 p.m., free parking is available in most campus lots and garages.
Ball State’s Writer-in-Residence program is sponsored by the creative writing program in the Department of English, with generous ongoing support from the Efroymson Family Fund, the College of Sciences and Humanities, and the Office of the President.
“The ongoing success of this program demonstrates the generational impact we can have by engaging students in creative opportunities to boost their literacy,” said Ball State President Geoffrey S. Mearns. “I am grateful to all of our donors who make it possible for us to give children and young adults in Muncie greater access to the impressionable gift of storytelling.”
More than 1,100 students in Muncie schools will receive copies of Johnson’s books, which they will study and discuss with him during his visit. In total, Mr. Johnson will participate in eight school and public events, including meeting with student participants in several newly created elementary and middle school book clubs.
“The authors we’ve brought to campus have told me how much they appreciate the opportunity to be part of such a distinctive community-engaged program,” said Jill Christman, professor of English and program coordinator. “It’s because of their enthusiastic participation that we can achieve our common goal of getting more students to read.”