Karen Autio was born in Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay), and grew up in Nipigon, Ontario, on the northern shore of Lake Superior. As a creative, horse-crazy child, she longed for a horse of her own. Karen’s favourite books were Black Beauty, Album of Horses, The Black Stallion, Hardy Boys, and the Dr. Seuss Beginner’s Dictionary. Around the age of nine she began writing stories just so that she could illustrate them.

Karen still likes to keep company with words, whether as a writer, reader, or calligrapher. In her writing, she wants to present authentic historical settings and characters. One of the best parts of writing is when those characters become so “real” that they start directing the story!

Karen also likes to collect objects with stories, such as a wind-up watch that’s older than she is and an antique desk that might have secret compartments. She loves to travel—she’s visited Finland twice!—and has explored Europe, Singapore, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and many areas of North America. Karen now lives in Kelowna, British Columbia, with Okanagan Lake and apple orchards nearby. Between author visits to schools to share her passion for researching history and for writing, Karen is working on her next book.

Chocolate Lily Award (Nominee) for SECOND WATCH.