Kim Scott

"I was teaching “English”, and felt fraudulent, not having the experience of publication."

Kim Scott grew up on the South Coast of Western Australia. As a descendant of those who first created human society along that edge of ocean, he is proud to be one among those who call themselves Noongar. He began writing for publication when he became a teacher of English and has had poetry and short stories published in a number of anthologies. That Deadman Dance has won several awards, including the 2011 Miles Franklin Award and the 2011 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Fiction – regional winner. Kim lives in Coolbellup, Western Australia, and is currently employed at the Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University.

What genres and forms does Kim Scott write in?

Kim Scott writes novels, poetry and short stories, and has produced retellings of Noongar oral stories. His work is broadly within Indigenous Australian fiction and literary writing.

Which books are his most notable works and where should I start?

That Deadman Dance is his most acclaimed novel and a common starting point. Benang From the Heart is another major work. For readers interested in language and traditional stories, the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project titles such as Ngaawily Nop and Mamang are good entry points.

Are Kim Scott's books part of a series or are they standalone?

Most of Kim Scott's novels and prose works are standalone. Several of his titles are part of the Wirlomin Noongar Language and Stories Project, which collects retold Noongar stories and language resources.

What themes does Kim Scott explore in his writing?

His writing frequently engages with Noongar language and culture, Indigenous history and identity, storytelling and the cultural impacts of colonisation, as well as memory and community.

Has Kim Scott received major literary awards?

Yes. That Deadman Dance won the 2011 Miles Franklin Award and the 2011 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Fiction regional award, among other recognitions.