Catherine’s official picture
I grew up in Kingston, Ontario, the youngest of five children. I studied political science at Queen’s University and environmental studies at York University before moving to the Ottawa area to work in the conservation movement. Eventually, I quit office life to raise children and write freelance.
I now live in Aylmer (Gatineau), Quebec with my husband and two children. We live in a little house with a big yard full of rodents, rabbits, and the occasional fox and falcon. It is very inspiring.
I wrote short stories for adults in my younger days. I began to write children’s fiction in 2003, and I’m starting to get the hang of it.
My first novel, Walking Backward, was released in October 2009 from Orca Book Publishers. My more recent books are My Cat Isis, illustrated by Virginie Egger (Kids Can Press, 2011), 26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6 (James Lorimer & Company, 2011), and All Good Children (Orca Book Publishers, 2011), which won the Canadian Library Association’s 2012 Young Adult Book Award.
A sample of my fungal photography
I enjoy yoga, quilting, and canoeing, but I’m not very skilled at any of those things. I make good cookies and great salads. I take awesome photographs of mushrooms.
You can learn more about me and my books at www.catherineausten.com .
jordan said,
October 14, 2011 at 4:33 pm
love your books
Catherine Austen said,
October 15, 2011 at 7:23 am
Thank you so much, Jordan! That makes me want to keep writing.
Sally said,
May 24, 2012 at 10:48 am
I love ur book Walking Backward!
I chose 2 write a report on it and i did a biography on u….I also love ur 26 Tips for Surviving grade 6!! I <3 ur books!! 
Catherine Austen said,
May 24, 2012 at 11:06 am
You have made my day, Sally. I’m so glad you love my books – I will have to keep writing more! That is a very cool thing to think of a student writing a report on my book for school. I love that idea. It makes me want to add some educational components to my website….