Kate Mitchell

Prize winning short story writer and novelist. On this site you will find some examples of my short stories. I also write novels: The House Fell on Her Head, 2016, is a historical/ crime/ family saga. My second novel, The Last Thing She Did, was shortlisted for the Good Housekeeping Novel Competition in 2020 and published by Bloodhound Books later that year, and on audiobook in 2021. My current work in progress, He Saw What She Did, will be completed shortly. My short story collection, 'Martini Girl and other stories' is on Amazon.

I try to keep an up to date list of my writing on my website here: https://linktr.ee/katemitchell

My writing draws on my career as a probation officer and social worker, and also reflects that I travel a great deal, and often set my stories in the worldwide locations I have visited. I always wanted to write, but the need to earn a living was a diversion. In 2007 I went on an Arvon course where I started to work on an idea for a novel. Later, I attended the MA in Writing at Sheffield Hallam University, and completed my first novel.

Credentials

Kate Mitchell in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

At school - I wrote a story that my teacher accused me of copying from a story I must have found somewhere. Thus I did not write again for some time.

What do you love about short stories?

A short story is a journey to a fictional dimension which is time-limited but stays with me for a long time.

Do you write in other forms?

Novels and scripts.

What distracts you from writing?

Politics; paid work; the garden.

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Bee keeping; reading; travel; folk festivals; fundraising for children in danger worldwide; welcoming refugees to our country.

What is your favourite book?

Too many to name. My first books were the classics, Hardy and Dickens.

Who are your favourite writers?

Charles Dickens, Rose Tremain and Hilary Mantel.

Where is your dream location?

I live there.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Algorithms.

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Keep reading. Do it critically, analytically, and keep on doing it.