J. Ivanel Johnson is the pen name for an author/playwright/composer living with (dis)Ability who now lives in the Appalachians of New Brunswick, where she and her husband and mother live on their small farm overlooking inspirational views of nature. Like her grandmother before her (the 'Ivanel' of her pen name) she has written something daily since toddlerhood, first publishing two poems with Annick Press in Toronto when she was only 11. Being 1 of only 20 chosen nationally for the prestigious “Artist In Community Education” program at Queen’s University, she is a former high school English/ Drama teacher. Striving always to write about marginalized and culturally-diverse characters, many based on people from the First Nation reservations or inner cities where she has taught, her imagination nonetheless has most soared whilst living "Out and Up" - in the highlands of Scotland, the moors of Yorkshire, and the Rockies of Montana and the Yukon.
Her most recently published short fiction includes 2019's “Iron Bone”, an own-voices story in the Nothing Without Us anthology by Renaissance (Ottawa), nominated for a Prix Aurora Award and currently on syllabus at Trent University, and 2020's “The Door to Gwunvailer” in Cat Ladies of the Apocalypse by Camden Park Press. Her poetry (some Indigenous and (dis)Aabled-themed works incl) has most recently appeared in Canada's vol. 4 of The Journal of Undiscovered Poets, and America's THEMA Literary Magazine, Third Estate Art’s Quaranzine, Mollyhouse Literary Journal. Having had several shorter plays staged in the UK and USA, her first full-length stage musical “Rough Notes”, a 'truly Canadian experience' (Adam Brazier) is in development, receiving a professional workshop in Oct. 2022 thanks to a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. Her first two whodunnit mysteries, (part of the JUST (e)STATE series) - one set in NB, the other in ON- are published with Black Rose (Castroville, Texas).
all forms of readings, mostly funny/uplifting and with area-themed trivia questions re: other literary connections...but with some darker overtones (esp. poetry, murder-mysteries) if preferred.
Also do lectures on becoming a writer, creative tips, etc. Some lectures to drama classes on playwrighting, delivery, preparing monologues, and expert on young people's theatre exercises.
Both drama and creative-writing workshops for all ages. Many types of challenging and fun exercises offered. See above.
I believe that it is important to support and encourage Canadian artists who are producing unique Canadian content. I encourage anyone who believes in the value of the arts to our society to support this work by a very talented musician, author, actor and teacher. – Jane Wright, professional artist, philanthropist, former president of Hudson Artists’, Montreal, Quebec and London, ON, 2020
“It was my honour to be directed by Julie as a lead cast member in the black comedy Off the Wall. Aside from her considerable skills as my drama coach, her energy and originality as a director and writer were infectious, not only to me but the entire cast and crew. She knows exactly how to tell a story with flair, humour and a whole lot of heart. Her passion for what she does instilled in me a creativity and joy that has not dimmed in the slightest over twenty years later” – Phil Mellor, Seattle-based poet, former actor in co-written two-act play Off The Wall, Leeds, U.K.
Anything from readings and a literary trivia quiz (pertinent to particular area)... to creative, challenging exercises in writing or drama. As above.
