Kate Foster (writer) explained

Kate Foster (born) is a Scottish writer. She was a journalist for 25 years before publishing her first novel at the age of 48. ^[1]

Foster won the Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect award in 2020 (when the festival took place online).^{[2] [3]} Her first novel, The Maiden, won her the 2023 Scottish Crime Debut of the Year ^[4] and was longlisted for the 2024 Women's Prize for Fiction.^[5] Foster describes it as "a feminist retelling of a 17th century Edinburgh murder", and it concerns the murder of Lord James Forrester by Lady Christian Nimmo in Corstorphine in 1679.^[6]

Her second novel, The King's Witches, was included by The Herald in "the 10 best new historical fictions" in May 2024.^[7] It is set in the context of Anne of Denmark's betrothal to James VI and the North Berwick witch trials of 1590.

In January 2024 the publisher Mantle signed a deal for The King's Witches and Foster's next two novels, to be published in 2025 and 2026.^[8] It was reported that the 2025 title was to be The Reawakening, but Foster said in June 2024 that it will be The Mourning Necklace. It will tell the story of Maggie Dickson, known as "hauf-hingit Maggie", who survived a botched execution by hanging in 1724.^[9]

Personal life

Foster grew up in Corstorphine, and lives in Edinburgh with her two children.^[10]

She has said that she enjoys reading crime, historical and modern fiction, singling out Sarah Perry, Hannah Kent, Sarah Waters, and City of Vengeance by D. V. Bishop.

Selected publications

• Book: Foster . Kate . The Maiden . 2023 . Mantle . London . 9781529091724.
• Book: Foster . Kate . The King's Witches . 20 June 2024 . Mantle . London . 9781529091786.
• The Mourning Necklace (previously announced as The Reawakening), work in progress ^[11]

External links

• Profile including photograph at her agent's website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Author: Kate Foster . Scottish Book Trust . 17 October 2024 . en-gb . I became a debut author at the age of 48.
2. News: McGinley . Shane . Why Pitch Perfect is a bloody good start for any debut author . 17 October 2024 . The Scotsman . 2 September 2024 . 2020 Pitch Perfect winner Kate Foster.
3. Web site: Bloody Scotland Pitch Perfect Session Seeks Aspiring Writers . Bloody Scotland . 17 October 2024 . 22 July 2022.
4. Web site: Winners Revealed for the McIlvanney Prize 2023 and the Bloody Scotland Debut Prize . Bloody Scotland . 17 October 2024 . 16 September 2023.
5. Web site: Announcing the 2024 Women's Prize for Fiction longlist! . Women's Prize . 17 October 2024 . 5 March 2024.
6. News: Forbes . Ellie . Bloody Scotland: Kate Foster on The Maiden . 17 October 2024 . Scottish Field . 26 July 2023.
7. News: 10 of the best new historical fiction novels to read right now . 17 October 2024 . The Herald . 10 May 2024 . en.
8. News: Fraser . Katie . Mantle signs three 'beautifully realised' novels from Kate Foster . 17 October 2024 . The Bookseller . 23 January 2024 . En.
9. News: MacPherson . Hamish . Back in the Day: The legend of Half-hangit Maggie Dickson . 17 October 2024 . The National . 30 August 2020 . en.
10. Web site: Kate Foster . Curtis Brown. 17 October 2024.
11. Web site: Foster . Kate . The King's Witches by Kate Foster . Books from Scotland . 17 October 2024 . 5 June 2024 . my third novel, The Mourning Necklace ... I have almost written the entire first draft in five months.