Katrina Kell

Summary

Katrina Kell was born in Scotland and moved to Australia as a child. Her award-winning writing includes historical fiction, young adult novels, short fiction, poetry, essays, and journalism.
A vivid and unforgettable dream was the inspiration for Chloé. The unpublished manuscript of the novel won an Australian Society of Authors Award Mentorship, and Katrina’s PhD thesis, Capturing Chloé: Reimagining a Melbourne Icon, explores the myths and volatile history of the iconic nude painting and its model.
Katrina is an Honorary Research Associate at Murdoch University. She lives and works in Boorloo (Perth) on the unceded lands of the Whadjuk Noongar People.

Biography

Katy Kell is an engaging and experienced public speaker. She is available for author talks, book club events, creative writing workshops, and writing festivals. She has presented at literary festivals and academic conferences, both nationally and internationally, and loves sharing her love of reading and writing and the fascinating research journeys behind her novels.

Relevant qualifications

PhD., English and Creative Writing, Murdoch University

Fiction publications:
Chloé (2024) Echo Publishing/Bonnier Books UK
Winner: Australian Society of Authors Award Mentorship (Unpublished Manuscript)
Mama's Trippin' (2006). Fremantle Press. YA novel.
Shortlisted: West Australian Premier's Book Awards, Young Adult Novels; Shortlisted: West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards, Older Readers.
Juice (2000). Fremantle Press. YA novel.
Winner: Avis Page Award, West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2002.
Fisherman's Rib (1995) Cliff Street Publishing. Short story published in Every Colour but Blue.

Short Fiction Award
Winner: KSP Science Fiction and Fantasy Award 1995. Douppioni. Short story.

PhD Thesis:
Capturing Chloe: Reimagining a Melbourne Icon
(comprising a historical novel manuscript and an exegesis)
https://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/42654/
*Currently embargoed

Recent experience

Guest Speaker: Write Around the Murray Festival, 11 - 15 September 2024, Albury, NSW

Repainting the Past panel: Albury Library Museum
Author Katrina Kell, Sculptor Andrew Whitehead, and NGV Curator Sophie Gerhard, discuss how and why iconic paintings such as Chloe and Shearing the Rams have inspired their storytelling.

Retelling the Past panel: Albury Library Museum
A panel about writing historical fiction with authors Julie Janson, Katrina Kell and Emily Gale. Moderated by Nova Weetman.

Artflash writing workshops (Years 7 - 9), Albury Library Museum
Drawing on the stunning artworks at Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA), young writers created pieces of flash fiction and ekphrastic poems (a vivid description of a scene or a work of art) inspired by a visual artwork.

Guest Speaker: Port Fairy Literary Weekend, 6 - 8 September 2024, Port Fairy, Victoria

Chasing the Muse in Fiction. Reardon Theatre
Katrina Kell & Susan Paterson discussed their dynamic relationship between art, fiction, and historical storytelling with chair Robert Gott, and the ways personal inspiration and historical contexts intertwine to shape their narratives and how creativity drives their work.

Special Guest: Beaufort Street Book Clubs Mid-Year Event 2024, Hyde Park Hotel, West Perth
A Night with Chloe: Barbara Horgan in conversation with Katrina Kell about her historical novel Chloe.

Guest Author: The Lane Bookshop, Claremont, June 6, 2024
Special Event: A Night of Wine and Cheese with Chloe
Katrina Kell in conversation with Peta Beasley about the fascinating intersections between art and literature.

Guest Author: 'Storytime in Paris' Podcast: Paris Underground Radio, Paris, France
Episode 72: Katrina Kell "Chloe" (2024)
Paris Underground Radio creator and producer Jennifer Fox Gerharty chats with Katrina Kell about the inspiration and creation of her historical novel Chloe.
Link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/ep-72-katrina-kell-chloe--59568938