Katherine Scholes

"You are her mother in this moment. The future is another time."

Katherine Scholes is the author of international bestsellers including The Rain Queen, Make Me An Idol, The Stone Angel, The Hunter’s Wife, The Lioness and The Perfect Wife. She is particularly popular in Europe where she has sold over two million books.

Her novel The Blue Chameleon won a New South Wales State Literary Award and The Stone Angel was longlisted in the International Dublin Literary Awards. Her work has been translated into over a dozen languages, and includes children’s titles as well as novels for adults. She has also worked as a documentary filmmaker.

Katherine was born in Tanzania, the daughter of a missionary doctor and an artist. She has fond memories of going on safaris to remote areas where her father operated a clinic from his Land Rover. When she was ten the family left Tanzania, going first to England, then migrating to Australia. She now lives in Tasmania but makes regular trips back to Africa where many of her books are set.

What kinds of books does Katherine Scholes write?

She writes fiction for adults and children's books. Many of her novels are literary or historical-style fiction set in Africa.

Which book is a good place to start reading her work?

Start with one of her international bestsellers, such as The Rain Queen, The Hunter's Wife or The Stone Angel; these are representative of her subject matter and style.

Are her books part of a series or are they standalones?

Her novels are primarily standalones rather than entries in an ongoing series.

Has she received any awards or notable recognition?

Yes. The Blue Chameleon won a New South Wales State Literary Award, and The Stone Angel was longlisted for the International Dublin Literary Awards. Her work has also been translated into over a dozen languages and sold widely overseas.

Where are her novels typically set and what influences her settings?

Many of her books are set in Africa. She was born in Tanzania and continues to travel there, and those experiences inform the settings and atmosphere of much of her fiction.