Catherine Johnson

Before Catherine Johnson began writing she had loads of different jobs; usherette, film maker, horse wrangler, bookshop assistant, are just a few. She has written fifteen books, not all of them historical, but she loves writing fiction set in the past – even though she was no good at history at school.

She is a Londoner who studied film at St Martin’s School of art. Some of her favourite museums are The Hunterian (not for the squeamish), and The V&A and the Foundling Museum.

Other favourite things in London include London Fields Lido, Hackney City Farm and The Dennis Severs House in Spitalfields.

She also writes for film and TV. And this year has been lucky enough to help choose the designs for next years Olympic and Paralympic medals.

She has two books out later this year; The Nightmare Card and Brave New Girl.