George M. Johnson

George M. Johnson writes stories of positive change based on his social justice work over 30 years, for which he received the Y.M.C.A. Peace Medal in 2019. He grew up in Waterdown, Ontario, and in 1991 moved to Kamloops, B.C., where he is Professor of Creative Writing in the Thompson Rivers University Literatures, Languages and Performing Arts Department.

He is an award-winning playwright, screenwriter, and children's author. His comic play Still Life With Nudes, about seniors who stage a sit-in at an art gallery won several awards, including the Regina Little Theatre’s National Playwriting Competition. It was published in Ryga and in the U.S.A. by ArtAge. His expressionist play, Mockus and his eco-comedy, Boomerangst were produced by Chimera Theatre in Kamloops. As a screen and teleplay Boomerangst has won several awards, including Best T.V. Pilot in the Wiki Screenplay Contest, and it is now in pre-development as a T.V. series. His four other scripts have also won contests, including The Hampdenshire Wonder, which won Best Sci-Fi Feature Film in the International Only the Best Film Awards, and was a Finalist in the British Independent Film Festival Competition. Peace Pledge, the remarkable story of the Peace Pledge Union in 1930s Britain, won the Jury Award for Best War Screenplay in the OTB | Only The Best Film Awards, USA, received Honorable Mention in the Euroscript Screenplay Competition and the New Renaissance Film Festival (London), and was an Official Finalist in the Cannes Screenplay Contest.

His first picture book, How Hope Became An Activist, was a Finalist for the Eric Hoffer Awards Montaigne Medal for the most thought-provoking books in all genres, “books that either illuminate, progress, or redirect thought.” It draws on activism he led in Kamloops. Louise Hurrell for Readers' Favorite wrote, "Johnson has succeeded in creating a picture book that is uplifting and optimistic, which is appropriate given the world today. To encourage children to become more aware and involved in activist causes is wonderful, and I think Johnson succeeds in that.” “Highly recommended.” Canadian Review of Materials. It has been translated into Arabic.

His second picture book, Marisa and the Mountains, was a Finalist in the Chocolate Lily Book Awards in B.C.. and a Finalist in the San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. It was selected as one of the Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens in 2021, and is a starred selection, signifying "titles of exceptional calibre." Tiffany Ferrell for

Readers’ Favorite wrote: “Marisa and the Mountains was a fun and unique read…. Marisa is also a very adorable character that I think a lot of children can relate to…. The illustrations are also beautifully done and fit with the storyline perfectly. George M. Johnson has done a wonderful job with this children’s book and I cannot wait to see his other works.” Sophia’s

Secrets won the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association Children’s Story competition. It was published in 2023 and has been translated into Dutch, Romanian, and Traditional Chinese.

Aldo Renaldo and the Renegade Alphabet,” about a wacky alphabet that gets out of control, was also a Finalist in the San Francisco Writers Conference Writing Contest. It was published by Histria Kids Books in August, 2023, with a second in the series, Aldo Renaldo and the Numbers that Just Don't Add up, forthcoming in 2025, along with several others in the offing.

Among his books for adults are Mourning and Mysticism in First World War Literature: Grappling With Ghosts.

Canoeing, camping, and cross-country skiing count among his outdoor passions.