Katharine McMahon explained

Katharine McMahon is an historical novelist who, since 1990, has published ten books.

Early life

McMahon studied English and Drama at University of Bristol and qualified as a teacher of English and Drama.

Career

Initially she worked in secondary education, but was later appointed as a writing fellow by the Royal Literary Fund at the University of Hertfordshire and University of Warwick. She currently works with the Royal Literary Fund as Head of Outreach.

She has worked as a tutor at the Arvon Foundation,[1] and for several years taught the Guardian masterclass on Historical Fiction.[2]

Novelist

McMahon's book The Alchemist's Daughter was one of Waterstone's Paperbacks of the Year in 2006.

The Rose of Sebastopol announced on 27 December 2007[3] as one of the ten titles for the Richard & Judy Book Club 2008. McMahon’s book was subsequently reviewed on the Channel 4 Richard & Judy Show on 24 January 2008. The Rose of Sebastopol was shortlisted for the Best Read Award at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2008. The Rose of Sebastopol was on the Sunday Times Best Seller List and was a Waterstone's No.1 Bestseller. In 2020 the book was released in a new edition with an additional chapter, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingale. [4] [5]

In two subsequent novels, The Crimson Rooms, and The Woman in the Picture, McMahon introduced the character Evelyn Gifford, a pioneering female lawyer who struggles to gain a foothold in the legal world during the 1920s

The Hour of Separation, was released in paperback in 2019.

Magistrate

McMahon also trained as a magistrate in Hertfordshire and North London. She was appointed as course director by the Judicial College to design and run the national training course for Bench Chairmen. For five years she served on the Sentencing Council for England and Wales 2010-2015 and was subsequently appointed as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner. (2014-2017)

Personal life

McMahon taught at schools local to Watford and the University of Hertfordshire.[6]

McMahon was a magistrate and was involved with the Watford Palace Theatre.[7] Her two[8] daughters acted with the Watford Pump House Theatre and Arts Centre,[9] and the Watford Palace Theatre Youth Theatre. Her son played football with Sun Postal.[7] Her husband, Martin Rainsford,[10] was a councillor.[7] Jenny Rainsford is McMahon's daughter. She performs with the Abbey Theatre[11] in St Albans.[8]

McMahon's best friend is Mary Portas.[12]

McMahon received Royal Literary Fellowships.[13] [14]

Katherine McMahon is a former Watford resident.[8] [7]

Audio

Works

External links

Notes and References

  1. https://www.arvon.org/ Arvon Foundation
  2. Web site: Writing Historical Fiction: A 60-Minute Masterclass extract . 2014-11-14 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20151012172241/https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/nov/14/writing-historical-fiction-a-60-minute-masterclass-extract . 2015-10-12 . live .
  3. https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-rose-of-sebastopol/katharine-mcmahon/9781474616843 The Rose of Sebastopol
  4. News: Book Review: 'The Rose of Sebastopol' by Katharine McMahon . The Washington Post. 11 April 2014 .
  5. The Rose of Sebastopol. Christian Science Monitor. 11 April 2014 .
  6. Web site: Page . Alison . Latest books from our local and regional authors . Living Magazines . 8 May 2023 . Jubilee Gardens, Tring, Hertfordshire . 2020-09-05.
  7. News: Matthews . Anthony . Watford Mayor and best-selling author to co-host bookclubs as part of One Book, One Town initiative . 8 May 2023 . Watford Observer . 2020-06-19 . en.
  8. News: Watford author is shortlisted for Richard and Judy book award . 8 May 2023 . Bucks Free Press . en.
  9. Web site: Home page . Pump House Watford . Pump House Theatre and Arts Trust Ltd . 8 May 2023 . Company number: 01095244 ; Registered Charity Number: 265667.
  10. Web site: Tributes to Mike Jackson . Watford Labour Party . 8 May 2023 . 17 December 2021.
  11. Web site: Home . Abbey Theatre . 8 May 2023.
  12. News: Enfield . Laura . Laura Enfield talks to Jenny Rainsford about her role in Little Black Book, at the Park Theatre . https://web.archive.org/web/20210513073831/https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10891702.laura-enfield-talks-to-jenny-rainsford-about-her-role-in-little-black-book-at-the-park-theatre/ . 13 May 2021 . 7 May 2023 . . 2013-12-20 . en.
  13. Web site: Katharine McMahon . The Royal Literary Fund . 8 May 2023.
  14. Web site: Bio . Katharine McMahon . 8 May 2023.
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000kfrb BBC Front Row July 2020
  16. https://www.lockdownlitfest.com/katharine-mcmahon Lockdown Litfest 2020
  17. https://www.inderby.org.uk/about/news/florence-nightingale-scrapbook-revealed/ Scrapbooks are Out of Fashion
  18. https://www.theguardian.com/news/2014/nov/14/writing-historical-fiction-a-60-minute-masterclass-extract The Guardian 2014

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