K. V. Johansen is a Canadian author specializing in secondary world fantasy, often exploring themes of marginalized characters, shapeshifters, demons, and gods. Her body of work spans multiple age groups, including adult fantasy, children's and young adult novels, science fiction, and picture books. Under the pseudonym Kris Jamison, she has also published contemporary literary fiction, such as "Love/Rock/Compost." Johansen's scholarly pursuits include ancient and medieval history, languages, and the history of children's fantasy literature, reflected in her critical works "Quests and Kingdoms" and "Beyond Window-Dressing."
Born in Kingston, Ontario, Johansen developed an early passion for fantasy literature, particularly after reading "The Lord of the Rings" as a child. Her academic background includes a Master’s Degree in Medieval Studies from the University of Toronto and a second M.A. in English Literature from McMaster University, where she focused on Layamon’s "Brut," an Early Middle English epic poem. A member of both the SFWA and the Writers’ Union of Canada, Johansen has seen her works translated into French, Macedonian, and Danish. Beyond writing, she maintains interests in music and art, though she humorously acknowledges her limited musical proficiency.