Mat Johnson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mat Johnson
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Johnson at the 2011 Texas Book Festival
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| Born | August 19, 1970 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Greene Street Friends School West Chester University University of Wales, Swansea |
| Alma mater | Earlham College (BA) Columbia University School of the Arts (MFA) |
| Notable works | Pym (2011) Incognegro (2008) Loving Day (2015) |
Mat Johnson (born August 19, 1970) is an American writer. He writes both novels and comic books. In 2007, he was named the first USA James Baldwin Fellow. This award supports talented American artists.
Contents
Life and Education
Johnson was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His mother is African-American and his father is Irish Catholic.
He went to several schools and universities. He earned his first degree from Earlham College. Later, he received a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) from Columbia University School of the Arts.
Teaching Career
Mat Johnson has taught writing at many universities. These include Rutgers University and Columbia University. He also taught at the University of Houston. Currently, he is a professor at the University of Oregon. He teaches in their Creative Writing Program.
Mat Johnson's Books
Mat Johnson writes different kinds of stories. He has written novels, graphic novels, and nonfiction books.
Early Novels
- Drop (2000) was Johnson's first novel. It's a story about a young person growing up. The main character moves to London for a job. This book was chosen as a "Discover Great New Writers" selection.
- Hunting in Harlem (2003) is a funny story. It's about changes happening in Harlem, New York. This book won an award in 2004. It was the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Legacy Award for Novel of the Year.
Comics and Graphic Novels
Johnson also writes for comics. He started with a five-issue series called Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite in 2005. He created a background story for an existing character. This story was set in New York in the 1700s.
In 2008, he published the graphic novel Incognegro. This is a mystery story. It explores issues of racial identity and history in the American South. The pictures for Incognegro were drawn by Warren Pleece.
Nonfiction Work
The Great Negro Plot (2007) is a nonfiction book by Johnson. It tells the true story of the New York Slave Insurrection of 1741. This book describes the events and the fear that followed.
Awards and Recognition
Mat Johnson has received several important awards for his writing.
- In 2004, his novel Hunting in Harlem won the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award.
- In 2007, he was named a USA James Baldwin Fellow. This award came with a $50,000 grant. It helps American artists continue their work.
- On September 21, 2011, Johnson won the Dos Passos Prize for Literature. This award honors writers whose work focuses on American themes and human experiences.
List of Works
Comics and Graphic Novels
- Hellblazer Special: Papa Midnite (2005)
- Incognegro (2008)
- Dark Rain: A New Orleans Story (2010)
- Right State (2012)
- Incognegro: Renaissance (2018)
Novels
- Drop (2000)
- Hunting in Harlem (2003)
- Pym (2011)
- Loving Day (2015)
- Invisible Things (2022)
Nonfiction Books
- The Great Negro Plot (2007)
Stories in Collections
- Gumbo: Anthology of African American Literature (2002)
- Not Guilty: Twelve Black Men Speak Out on Law, Justice, and Life (2002)
- Mixed: An Anthology of Short Fiction on the Multiracial Experience (2006)
- Black Cool: One Thousand Streams of Blackness (2012)
See also
In Spanish: Mat Johnson para niños
