Kathleen O'Reilly Johnston is based in country Western Australia where she works mentoring youth at risk and caring for the aged. Kathleen utilises stories as a way to connect more deeply with her clients.After being assessed as unable to read, and despite an alarming rate of school absenteeism, Kathleen became an avid reader with a passion for writing. She credits her love of literature as the catalyst for her self-directed learning that took place along the beautiful West Australian coast. 'Johno' is her debut novel.She's the mother of three adult children and two grandchildren. When not working or writing, she gets excited about riding her horse around historic ruins. If you see someone riding a white horse over Slaughterhouse Bridge in Toodyay on a stormy day, that's Kathleen.