Kate Hunter is a debut author - from Milton Keynes - with a compelling new novel that examines a little explored period in Scottish history: Edinburgh’s print industry in the late-nineteenth century – a volatile time of significant change.
Kate's father’s family earned a living in the Edinburgh print trade. They made books and newspapers; they read them, but they never got the chance to write them.
Kate has read thousands of books and helped to make a fair few. Now she’s written one. She grew up in Edinburgh, worked in a printers there when she was fifteen and, later, was a Mother of the Chapel in Milton Keynes where she now lives.
Following on from her successful Scottish launch, join other interested readers for this Late Late (MK) Launch Party to celebrate a strong new voice in historical fiction - hear Kate read from her work, and ask questions about this fascinating new book!
She talked Chapter & Verse with us…
The first book that really took your attention
Pooky Puts the World Right, my big sister’s primary school prize for ‘general excellence’. She was kind enough to read it to me and let me paw the pictures of a winged bunny and fairies.
The moment you knew you wanted to be an author
So far as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Finding the wherewithall and trusting you can do it is another matter.
A book by someone else you wish you had written
Off the top of my head, I’d say Jamilia by Chingiz Aĭtmatov, but that’s just because it‘s the latest great book I’ve read (off the shelves of MK Central Library). A fair few authors fill me with admiration and wonder, but because I’m me, not them, I wouldn’t want to have written their books. I’m glad they did, though.
How do you take your books - in paper form or digitally
Paper.
How quickly did you find success
Fairly quickly, if you discount the fact that it’s taken me most of my life - and I’m no spring chicken - to commit myself to writing, finish a book and send it to publishers.
Explain the power of a good book
Good books open up new worlds, enriching our experience.
And tell us your favourite word... and why!
I couldn’t pick one. As with colours, its words in combination, the patterns they make, that I love.
What would you say to someone to encourage them to pick up your current page-turner?
Ordinary working folk have fascinating stories to tell.
The event will run at Waterstone's intu between 6 and 8pm on Thursday, July 27.
Admission is free and there is no need to pre-book.
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