Julia Jones (writer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Julia Frances Jones BEM
Julia Jones in 2009
Born	1954 (age 70–71) Woodbridge, Suffolk, England
Occupation	Editor, publisher, writer
Years active	1986–present
Spouse(s)	Chris Thorogood (divorced) Francis Wheen (m. 2019)

Julia Jones is an English writer, editor, and book publisher. She also helps people who are sick, especially those with dementia.

Early Life and Love for Books

Julia Jones was born in Woodbridge, Suffolk in 1954. When she was three, her dad bought a wooden sailing boat called Peter Duck. This boat was once owned by a famous children's writer, Arthur Ransome. He even named the boat after a character in one of his books! Being around this boat and reading many pony books made her love books and adventure stories for her whole life.

Becoming a Writer and Publisher

Julia opened a bookshop in Ingatestone, Essex. She then started a small publishing business. She re-published a book about World War II by a crime writer named Margery Allingham. Julia became very interested in Margery Allingham's life. She researched her story and wrote a biography about her in 1991.

In 2006, Julia decided to write her own adventure stories. She wanted them to be like the Swallows and Amazons series by Arthur Ransome, which she loved as a child. Her first adventure book, The Salt-Stained Book, came out in 2011. It was the first part of a sailing adventure series. Julia hoped her books would inspire young people to enjoy sailing and boats.

Helping People with Dementia

In 2014, Julia Jones and her friend Nicci Gerrard started a group called John's Campaign. This group works to help families visit patients with dementia in hospitals. They believe that family members are important caregivers. For her work, Julia was given a British Empire Medal (BEM) in 2023. This award was "For Services to People with Dementia."

Julia's Family Life

Julia Jones has five children. She is married to Francis Wheen, who is a writer and journalist.