Joe Craig (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joe Craig
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| Born | 1980/1981 (age 44–45) 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 writes exciting books for kids. He is famous for his popular Jimmy Coates book series.
Contents
About Joe Craig's Early Life and Education
Joe Craig was born and grew up in Finchley, a part of north London. His mother is a poet. His two sisters are also writers. It seems writing runs in the family!
He went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge. There, he studied philosophy. He also wrote and created music for the Cambridge Footlights. This is a famous comedy group at the university.
Joe Craig's Career as a Writer and Musician
In 2002, Joe Craig helped create a musical play. It was called Told You So: A Musical Hijacking of Aesop's Fables. He wrote the music for this show.
The Jimmy Coates Book Series
His first book for children was Jimmy Coates: Killer. It came out in 2005. Joe Craig said the story is about a boy. This boy is on the run from the secret service. He fights against a dictatorship in Britain. He also tries to control his own special abilities. These abilities make him act like an assassin.
He wrote six more Jimmy Coates books after that. By 2017, the series had sold over 250,000 copies. The books have been translated into twelve different languages. This means kids all over the world can read them!
Visiting Schools and Inspiring Readers
Joe Craig often visits schools. He does this to encourage kids to read. He also promotes his books. In 2015, he talked about authors visiting schools. He said schools were becoming less willing to pay authors. But he believes authors should always be paid for their time.
He explained why author visits are important. He said they show children that books are "full of life, passion and thrills." His goal for every school event is big. He wants his visit to be the most memorable event for every student.
Joe Craig's Music Album
In 2010, Joe Craig released his own music album. It was called The Songman & Me, Vol. 1. He wrote and performed all the songs himself.
Joe Craig's Personal Life
Joe Craig met Mary-Ann Ochota at Cambridge University. She is an anthropologist and a television presenter. 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 Cricket Club team. This team is made up of British writers. He played with them during the 2012-13 season.
Books by Joe Craig
- Jimmy Coates: Killer, HarperCollins Children's Books, March 2005, ISBN: 0-00-719685-7
(This book was called Jimmy Coates: Assassin in the United States.)
- 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 Music Albums
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"
