Joe Craig (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Craig
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| Born | 1980/1981 (age 43–44) Finchley, London, England |
| Occupation | Writer, Musician |
| Genre | Spy, Adventure, Thriller, Children's Books |
| Notable works | Jimmy Coates series |
| Spouse | Mary-Ann Ochota |
| Children | 1 |
Joe Craig is an English writer and musician. He is famous for his exciting Jimmy Coates book series. These books are popular with young readers.
Contents
Joe Craig's Early Life and School Days
Joe Craig was born and grew up in Finchley, a part of north London. His family loves writing! His mother is a poet, and his two sisters are also writers.
Joe went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge university. There, he studied philosophy. He also wrote music and songs for a comedy group called the Cambridge Footlights.
Joe Craig's Writing Career
In 2002, Joe Craig wrote the music for a play. It was called Told You So: A Musical Hijacking of Aesop's Fables. John Finnemore wrote the words for the play.
The Jimmy Coates Book Series
Joe Craig's first children's book came out in 2005. It was called Jimmy Coates: Killer. He said the story was about a boy running from the secret service. This boy fights against a dictatorship in Britain. He also tries to control his own special abilities. These abilities make him act like an assassin.
Joe Craig wrote six more Jimmy Coates books after that. By 2017, the series had sold over 250,000 copies. The books were also translated into twelve different languages.
Visiting Schools and Inspiring Readers
Joe Craig often visits schools. He encourages kids to read and promotes his books. In 2015, he talked about authors visiting schools. He said that authors should always be paid for their visits.
He believes author visits show kids that books are exciting. He wants his visits to be very memorable. He aims for his visit to be the most memorable event for every student.
Joe Craig's Music
In 2010, Joe Craig released his own music album. It was called The Songman & Me, Vol. 1. He wrote and performed all the songs on it himself.
Joe Craig's Personal Life
Joe Craig met anthropologist and television presenter Mary-Ann Ochota at Cambridge University. They started dating in 2000 and later got married. Their son, Cole, was born in July 2018. They live in Highgate, London.
Joe Craig also enjoys playing cricket. He played for the Authors XI team. This team is made up of British writers. He played with them during the 2012-13 season.
Joe Craig's Books
- Jimmy Coates: Killer, HarperCollins Children's Books, March 2005, ISBN: 0-00-719685-7
(Released in the United States under the title Jimmy Coates: Assassin.)
- Jimmy Coates: Target, HarperCollins Children's Books, May 2006, ISBN: 0-00-719686-5
- Jimmy Coates: Revenge, HarperCollins Children's Books, January 2007, ISBN: 0-00-723285-3
- Jimmy Coates: Sabotage, HarperCollins Children's Books, October 2007, ISBN: 0-00-723286-1
- Jimmy Coates: Survival, HarperCollins Children's Books, April 2008, ISBN: 0-00-727099-2
- Jimmy Coates: Power, HarperCollins Children's Books, October 2008, ISBN: 978-0-00-727730-8
- Jimmy Coates: Blackout, HarperCollins Children's Books, June 2013, ISBN: 978-0007524327
- Lifters, Franklin Watts, September 2011, ISBN: 978-1-4451-0555-0
- World of Robots: Jango, Rising Stars, February 2019, ISBN: 978-1510444102
- World of Robots: Wild, Rising Stars, February 2019, ISBN: 978-1510444287
- World of Robots: Breakdown, Rising Stars, February 2019, ISBN: 978-1510444461
- World of Robots: Hijack, Rising Stars, February 2019, ISBN: 978-1510444645
Short E-books
- Save the Human, CB Creative Books, December 2014
- Head Strong, CB Creative Books, December 2014
- The Mendack Affair, CB Creative Books, December 2014
Joe Craig's Discography
The Songman & Me, Vol. 1
- Released: 2011
- Format: LP
- Label: Jamasama
- Writer: Joe Craig
- Tracks: "The Travelling Songman", "Underneath the Snow", "Solo Street", "I've Been Holding On", "Romantic Song", "More Than I Do", "Jealousy", "Full Circle", "Faithful Friend", "The Songman Speaks", "Monkey Tree"
