J.L. Martin

Hello! I grew up partly in Canada and partly in a town in Northern Ireland that’s on the oldest existing map of the world.

I’ve lived in Canada for a long time, but I really feel between here and Ireland. Being in between places can make things difficult growing up. But the great thing about being in between is the way it comes out in your writing. No this doesn’t mean I write about moose-fighting leprechauns and mounties in the Mournes (although that would awesome). My current work-in-progress is a book about boy, death, and a really great ham sandwich. I also write middle-grade poetry.

The writers (and illustrators) who have influenced me the most are Roald Dahl, Quentin Blake, C.S. Lewis, E. Nesbit, J.R.R. Tolkien, Noel Streatfield, Raymond Briggs, and Sybil Burr. I’m inspired by nature, especially flying things. I also like gardening, cats, and learning to play the violin.