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Biography |
Biography
Kaylene Johnson is the author of Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down (Epicenter 2008); Trails Across Time: History of an Alaska Mountain Corridor (KMTA, July 2005) and Portrait of the Alaska Railroad (Alaska Northwest Books, May 2003). Her award-winning articles and photographs have appeared in Alaska magazine, the Los Angeles Times, Garden Design, Spirit magazine, We Alaskans, Parish Teacher and other publications. She has written for Insight Guides and Discovery Communications. She has also written curriculum for Augsburg Fortress Publishers and the Alaska Mission Committee.
Kaylene served as a writer-in-residence for the Anchorage School District beginning in 1996. She continues to offer classes, workshops, and presentations for adults and children on a variety of topics aimed at building community and developing skills for new and young writers. Her background in journalism offers keen insight into the writing and publishing process. She encourages emerging writers to discover their own unique voices through the writing process.
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Resume |
Recent Credits | Forthcoming | Recent work Experience | Education | Top
Featured presenter in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the Chugach National Forest. Reading and presentation given from Trails Across Time: History of an Alaska Mountain Corridor at the Begich Boggs Visitor's Center. August 2007.
"Pipeline of Prosperity." Alaska Airlines, June 2007. Commemoration of the 30th Anniversary of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline.
Featured writer for Z. J. Loussac Library's 20th Anniversary Celebration. December 2006.
Featured writer at the YWCA's 15th Annual Alaska Women Writers event celebrating women artists in Alaska. October 2006.
2005 Excellence in Journalism First Place Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for “Race Makers,” a look behind the scenes at Alaska’s most famous sled dog race. Cover story appeared in Alaska Airlines, March 2004.
Trails Across Time: History of an Alaska Mountain Corridor, a historical book with photos of Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Published July 1, 2005 by the Kenai Mountains-Turnagain Arm Corridor Communities Association. Reviewed by UAA Professor Stephen Haycox. ISBN 0-9762519-0-6
“Skiing on the Wild Side: Alpine and Cross-country Adventure on Alaska’s Ski Train.” Los Angeles Times, February 20, 2005.
“Window to the House: Peering at Privacy in Creative Nonfiction.” Article in the Associated Writing Program’s The Writer’s Chronicle. September 2004.
Notable Essay in Best American Essays 2003. "Moose Hollow," an essay published in the Spring 2002 issue of The Louisville Review.
Portrait of the Alaska Railroad published by Alaska Northwest Books, May 2003. Book reviewed in the Portland Oregonian, Anchorage Daily News, and Alaska Airlines Magazine. ISBN 0-88240-552-7
Earned multiple first-place awards from Alaska Press Women’s statewide media contest for writing, editing, graphic design, and photography. Several entries went on to earn national recognition in writing and editing. (Click here for complete list of awards.)
Click here for complete list of published works.
Recent Credits | Forthcoming | Recent work Experience | Education | Top
“Ghost Bear,” an essay, forthcoming in Invocations, an anthology of place, edited by Marybeth Holleman. Publication date Spring 2008.
1989 – Present
Free-lance writer. Working for Alaska magazine, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Anchorage Daily News and other publications. Published in Alaska Wilderness Discovery Travel Guide, Also currently writing curriculum and educational materials for Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis, MN and Alaska Backcountry Ministries.
1998-1999
President of Alaska Center for the Book, a statewide organization affiliated with the Library of Congress Center for the Book. Leadership in the organization helped earn the coveted Boorstin Award, a national award given annually by the Library of Congress recognizing excellence in a state Center for the Book.
1996-1998
Coordinator for Writing Rendezvous, Alaska’s largest annual writer’s conference, sponsored by Alaska Center for the Book and the University of Alaska Department of Creative Writing & Literary Arts. Visiting authors included Michael Ondaatje, Tracy Kidder, Judith Appelbaum, and Richard Ford.
1995 - 1998
Instructor and writer-in-residence and for Anchorage School District. Conducted writing/editing classes for teachers and workshops for children K-12. Evaluated and edited graduate-level papers for teachers seeking publication as part of the EXCELS graduate program.
Nov 93 – Jun 95
Managing editor, Senior Voice. Managed all phases of planning, writing, editing, and production of this award-winning newspaper for senior citizen in Alaska. In-depth research of senior issues led to national awards for outstanding reporting and editing. Graphically re-designed the format for improved readability and aesthetics. Responsibilities included managing state and municipal grants. Supervised staff of 10.
Recent Credits | Forthcoming | Recent work Experience | Education | Top
Master of Fine Arts in Writing, Spalding University, Louisville, Kentucky. Class Speaker/Valedictorian for October 2003 graduating class.
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, Vermont College, Montpelier, Vermont.
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Published Works |
1997-2007 Clips available upon request
Year |
Issue |
Publication/Publisher |
Title |
Type of work |
| 2008 | May | Epicenter Press | Sarah: How a Hockey Mom Turned Alaska's Political Establishment Upside Down | Book |
| 2008 | March | AlaskaMagazine | "Strength in Low Numbers: Alaska's Jews may be isolated and few but they strive to maintain their traditions" | Feature Article |
| 2007 | June | Alaska Airlines Magazine | "Pipeline of Prosperity" | Feature Article |
| 2006 | May/June | Alaska Magazine | "Keeper of Sunrise" | Feature Article |
| 2006 | April | Alaska Airlines Magazine | "Anchorage Arts Scene Takes Center Stage" | Feature Article |
2005 |
October |
Alaska Airlines Magazine |
“Nature’s Front Porch: Dillingham” |
Feature Article |
2005 |
Pub date: July 1 |
KMTA Corridor Communities Association |
Trails Across Time: History of an Alaska Mountain Corridor |
Book |
2005 |
April 14 |
Anchorage Daily News |
“Once Upon A Garden” |
Feature Article |
2005 |
March |
Alaska Magazine |
“Skiing with Spice” |
Feature Article |
2005 |
February |
Alaska Airlines Magazine |
“Destination Alaska: On Track” |
Feature Article |
2005 |
February 20 |
Los Angeles Times |
Travel feature |
|
2004 |
May 16 |
Anchorage Daily News |
“Room for Creativity: Artist Retreat Emphasizes Spirituality” |
Life & Arts feature |
2004 |
July – Sept |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions |
2004 |
March |
Alaska Airlines Magazine |
“Racemakers” |
Cover story |
2004 |
January |
Alaska Works Partnership, Inc. (publisher) |
Building Maintenance Repairer Apprentice/Step-up Handbook |
Handbook |
2003 |
October |
Alaska Magazine |
“Man of a Thousand Names” |
Feature article |
2003 |
March |
Alaska Magazine |
“Alaska Nellie” |
Feature article |
2003 |
May release |
Graphic Arts Center Publishing/ Alaska Northwest Books |
Portrait of the Alaska Railroad |
Book |
2002 |
November |
Alaska Magazine |
“Bears Play Through” |
Feature article |
2002 |
November |
Alaska Almanac |
“Yearly Highlights” |
Year-end summary |
2002 |
Sept/Oct |
AAA Mountainwest Home&Away Magazine |
“The Journey from Anchorage to Talkeetna” |
Feature article |
2002 |
Spring |
The Louisville Review |
“Moose Hollow” |
Essay |
2002 |
Winter |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions
|
2001 |
July |
Alaska Magazine |
“Funny Business: Cartoonists pen Alaska’s lighter side of life” |
Feature article |
2001 |
Spring |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions
|
2001 |
Fall |
Augsburg |
Firelight Bible Learning Teacher Guide and Learner Resources |
Curriculum |
2000 |
Fall |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions |
2000 |
Summer |
Augsburg |
“Jesus Is!” Outdoor Ministries |
Curriculum |
2000 |
Four quarters |
Cool News |
A dozen short articles/sidebars that comprised a quarterly newsletter |
Newsletter |
1999 |
Two chapters in guidebook |
Insight Guides Alaskan Wilderness Discovery Travel Adventures ISBN 1-56331-837-7 |
“Alaska from Above”
“Kodiak Island” |
Two chapters |
1999 |
Winter |
Spirit Magazine |
“Out of the Wilderness” |
Cover story |
1999 |
May 23 |
We Alaskans Magazine |
“Gardening with Grandeur” |
Cover story |
1999 |
Series C |
Alaska Mission Committee |
“God’s Kids in the Far North – Jesus is the Light of the World” |
Curriculum |
1999 |
Annual |
Official Iditarod Guide |
4 articles: “Who was that Masked Man?” “Transplanted Hero,” “ABCs of the Last Great Race,” Peryll’s Place in the Sun.” |
Feature articles |
1999 |
May |
Parish Teacher |
Servant Event Planner |
Article |
1999 |
Jan-Mar |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions |
1999 |
Winter |
Spirit Magazine |
Cover story: “Out of the Wilderness” |
Feature article |
1999 |
Series C |
Alaska Mission Committee |
“God’s Kids in the Far North -- Jesus is the Light of the World” |
Curriculum |
1999 |
Annual |
Official Iditarod Guide |
4 articles: “Who Was that Masked man?” “Transplanted Hero,” “ABC’s of the Last Great Race,” “Peryll’s Place in the Sun.” |
Feature articles |
1999 |
March |
Parish Teacher |
“Servant Event Planner” |
Graphic |
1999 |
May |
Parish Teacher |
“Bible Reading: Linking Church to Home” |
Feature article |
1999 |
May 23 |
We Alaskans Magazine |
“Gardening with Grandeur” |
Cover story |
1999 |
Two chapters of book
|
Insight Guides Alaskan Wilderness Discovery Travel Adventures |
“Alaska From Above” “Kodiak Island” |
Two chapters |
1998 |
Quarter 1 |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions |
1998 |
Annual publication |
Official Iditarod Guide |
3 articles: “Mind of a Dog Man,” “Rules of the Game,” “Race Strategy”
|
Feature articles |
1998 |
February |
Alaska Magazine |
“Ultimate Sled” |
Humor column |
1998 |
February |
Alaska Magazine |
“Living Ice” |
Photo essay |
1998 |
February |
Parish Teacher |
“Maximize that VBS Spirit” |
Article |
1998 |
Series B |
Alaska Mission Committee |
“God’s Kids in the Far North -- Jesus Works Miracles” |
Curriculum |
1998 |
March |
Alaska Magazine |
“Mind of a Dog Man” reprinted from Iditarod Guide |
Feature |
1998 |
May |
Parish Teacher |
“Kids Talk” |
Article |
1998 |
May/June |
Alaska Magazine |
“Terror at Buffalo Creek” |
Humor column |
1998 |
Quarter 3 |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
devotions |
1998 |
August |
Alaska Magazine |
“Shopping for Salmon: Dipnet Harvest” |
Feature article |
1998 |
February |
Alaska Human Resource Investment Council |
“State Training and Employment Program: Stairway to Career Success” |
Program report |
1998 |
September |
Alaska Magazine |
“For the Sake of the Light” |
Feature article |
1997 |
Series A |
Alaska Mission Committee |
“God’s Kids in the Far North -- Jesus and His Friends” |
Curriculum |
1997 |
Jan 26 |
We Alaskans Magazine |
“Alaska winter must be loved to be loved” |
Essay |
1997 |
Dec/Jan |
Alaska Magazine |
“Alaska Aglow” |
Photo essay |
1997 |
Mar/Apr |
New Man Magazine |
“Northern Exposure of Another Kind” |
Feature article |
1997 |
Spring |
Lutheran Woman’s Quarterly |
“Heart of Joy” |
Feature article |
1997 |
April |
Alaska Magazine |
“An ‘Egg’cellent Adventure” |
Humor column |
1997 |
Quarter 3 |
Augsburg/Home Altar |
Devotions for families with children |
Devotions |
1997 |
June |
Alaska Human Resource Investment Council |
“School to Registered Apprenticeship: A Manual for Counselors” |
Instructional manual |
1997 |
July |
Alaska Magazine |
“Dippin’ Daze” |
Humor column |
1997 |
Quarter 4 |
Augsburg |
Word In Season |
Devotions |
1997 |
November |
Alaska Magazine |
“Mysterious Skies” |
Photo essay |
1997 |
Dec/Jan |
Alaska Magazine |
“Pining for an Alaskan Spruce” |
Humor column |
1997 |
December |
Parish Teacher |
“God’s Gifted Learners” |
Article |
1997 |
Fall |
Augsburg Witness Series |
Teacher guide, student resource book, activity packet for 3-4th grade Sunday School |
Curriculum |
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Awards |
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* Indicates National Award
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Anchorage Schools |
Anchorage School District Courses and Workshops
(1995-1998)
Professional Development Courses (Syllabus and course evaluations available upon request)
- Drawing from the Well: Writer’s Response Groups
- Expedition into the Craft of Writing
- Basic Summer Writing Institute – Writer-in-Residence
- A Matter of Course – Writing-based Independent Study
- Time for Meaning, Time to Write I
- Time for Meaning, Time to Write II
In-Service Workshops
- Drawing from the Well: Writer’s Response Groups
- A Look at the Writing Life
- Exploring Writer’s Notebooks
- Bridging Two Worlds: Writing and the Classroom
- Plain English: Down-to-Earth approach to Professional Writing
Writer-in-Residence at:
- O’Malley Elementary School
- Gruening Middle School
- West High School
- East High School
- Dimond High School
- Chugiak High School
All classroom workshops were student-centered and included hands-on activities. Topics included:
- Poetry
- Writer’s Notebooks
- Writer’s Groups
- Revision: The Craft
- Six Traits of Writing
- The Writer’s Life
- Publishing

