K.V. JOHANSEN was born in Kingston, Ontario, and is the author of numerous works for children, teens, and adults, most recently, The Black Box (for ages 9-13), The Shadow Road (ages 12+), and the forthcoming Blackdog, for adults.

She mostly writes secondary-world fantasy, but is also the author of some science fiction and literary criticism, and of a collection retelling medieval Danish ballads.

Her books have won or been nominated for various awards over the years. With an artist friend, she is also working on a manga-style adaptation of a short story set in the Blackdog world.

Johansen has an M.A. from the Centre for Medieval Studies at the University of Toronto. Her lifelong interest in ancient and medieval history and the history of languages has had a great influence on her writing and world-building. Occasionally, she masquerades as an editor, freelance journalist, or book reviewer, and dabbles (infrequently) in illustration.

She lives in New Brunswick with a moderately wicked dog. Visit her website at www.pippin.ca or drop by her blogs at www.mangasaga.wordpress.com and www.thewildforest.wordpress.com .