Joan Clark facts for kids

Joan Clark (born MacDonald; 12 October 1934 – 11 April 2023) was a Canadian author. She wrote many stories, especially for young people.

Joan was born in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada. She grew up in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. She studied drama at Acadia University and earned a degree in English in 1957. Later, she worked as a teacher.

Becoming a Writer

In the early 1960s, Joan Clark moved to Alberta with her husband. She attended the University of Alberta. In 1965, she moved to Calgary and began writing stories. She lived in Alberta for 20 years.

Starting a Magazine

In 1975, Joan Clark and Edna Alford started a literary magazine called Dandelion. This magazine helped new writers share their work. In 1976, she learned from famous writer W. O. Mitchell at the Banff Centre. Joan also led the Writers Guild of Alberta, an organization for writers.

Returning East

In 1985, Joan Clark moved back to Atlantic Canada. She settled in St. John's, Newfoundland. There, she helped create the Writers Alliance of Newfoundland and Labrador. This group supports writers in the province.

Later Achievements

Joan Clark was chosen to be a judge for the Giller Prize in 2001. This is a big award for Canadian fiction. In 2010, she received the Order of Canada. This is one of the highest honors a Canadian citizen can get. In 2018, her novel An Audience of Chairs was made into a movie.

Awards and Special Recognition

Joan Clark won many awards for her writing. Here are some of them:

• 1988: She was a finalist for the 1988 Governor General's Awards for fiction.
• 1988: Her book The Victory of Geraldine Gull was a finalist for the Books in Canada First Novel Award.
• 1991: She won the Marian Engel Award.
• 1995: She received the Geoffrey Bilson Award for her book The Dream Carvers. This award is for historical fiction for young people.
• 1998: She was given an honorary Doctor of Letters degree from Sir Wilfred Grenfell College.
• 1999: She won the Vicky Metcalf Award. This award celebrates a writer's entire body of work for young readers.
• 2003: She won the Geoffrey Bilson Award again for The Word for Home.
• 2006: Her novel An Audience of Chairs was considered for the International Dublin Literary Award.
• 2010: She was made a Member of the Order of Canada.

Books Written by Joan Clark

Joan Clark wrote many books, including novels for adults and children. Here are some of her published works:

• 1968: Girl of the Rockies
• 1971: Thomasina and the Trout Tree
• 1977: The Hand of Robin Squires
• 1982: From a High Thin Wire
• 1985: Wild Man of the Woods
• 1987: The Moons of Madeleine
• 1988: The Victory of Geraldine Gull
• 1990: Swimming Toward the Light
• 1993: Eiriksdottir: A Tale of Dreams and Luck
• 1995: The Dream Carvers
• 2000: Latitudes of Melt
• 2002: The Word for Home
• 2005: An Audience of Chairs
• 2015: The Birthday Lunch