Katharine McMahon
Encyclopedia
Katharine McMahon is a British
writer born in north-west London
. She is an historical novelist who, since 1990, has published seven books. McMahon is the best-selling author of The Rose of Sebastopol which was officially announced on 27 December 2007 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. McMahon's previous book 'The Alchemist's Daughter' was one of Waterstone's Paperbacks of the Year in 2006.
before studying English and Drama at University of Bristol
. She later qualified as a teacher of English and Drama and taught at a Hertfordshire
comprehensive school. She taught writing skills with the Royal Literary Fund
at the University of Hertfordshire and University of Warwick
, and was made a Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire
in 2001-3. She is currently an Advisory Fellow. In her report, What's Going on with Students' Writing?(2004) McMahon explored the state of writing in British universities.
McMahon also trained as a magistrate
in Hertfordshire and has designed training courses for magistrates. Additionally, she has written and performed in local theatre, the Abbey Theatre in St Albans
, her last role was in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest
. She has also performed at the Edinburgh Festival
and appeared on BBC Radio 4
in Woman's Hour
. McMahon has also worked as a lyricist on various projects.
Future Releases
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
writer born in north-west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. She is an historical novelist who, since 1990, has published seven books. McMahon is the best-selling author of The Rose of Sebastopol which was officially announced on 27 December 2007 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
Richard & Judy
Richard & Judy was a British magazine/chat show which was presented by married couple Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan. It originally aired on Channel 4 from 2001 to 2008 but later moved to digital channel Watch in October 2008. It featured the world's most famous stars, along with their Book Club...
Show on 24 January 2008. The Rose of Sebastopol
Sevastopol
Sevastopol is a city on rights of administrative division of Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast of the Crimea peninsula. It has a population of 342,451 . Sevastopol is the second largest port in Ukraine, after the Port of Odessa....
was shortlisted for the Best Read Award at the Galaxy British Book Awards
British Book Awards
The Galaxy National Book Awards are a series of British literary awards focused on the best UK writers and their works, as selected by an academy of members from the British book publishing industry...
2008. The Rose of Sebastopol was on the Sunday Times Best Seller List and was a Waterstone's
Waterstone's
Waterstone's is a British book specialist established in 1982 by Tim Waterstone that employs around 4,500 staff throughout the United Kingdom and Europe....
No.1 Bestseller. McMahon's previous book 'The Alchemist's Daughter' was one of Waterstone's Paperbacks of the Year in 2006.
Background
McMahon attended North London Collegiate SchoolNorth London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School is an independent day school for girls founded in 1850 in Camden Town, and now in the London Borough of Harrow.The Good Schools Guide called the school an "Academically stunning outer London school in a glorious setting which, in 2003, demonstrated its refusal to rest...
before studying English and Drama at University of Bristol
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
. She later qualified as a teacher of English and Drama and taught at a Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
comprehensive school. She taught writing skills with the Royal Literary Fund
Royal Literary Fund
The Royal Literary Fund is a benevolent fund set up to help published British writers in financial difficulties. It was founded by Reverend David Williams in 1790 and has received bequests and donations, including royal patronage, ever since...
at the University of Hertfordshire and University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
, and was made a Fellow at the University of Hertfordshire
University of Hertfordshire
The University of Hertfordshire is a new university based largely in Hatfield, in the county of Hertfordshire, England, from which the university takes its name. It has more than 27,500 students, over 2500 staff, with a turnover of over £181m...
in 2001-3. She is currently an Advisory Fellow. In her report, What's Going on with Students' Writing?(2004) McMahon explored the state of writing in British universities.
McMahon also trained as a magistrate
Magistrate
A magistrate is an officer of the state; in modern usage the term usually refers to a judge or prosecutor. This was not always the case; in ancient Rome, a magistratus was one of the highest government officers and possessed both judicial and executive powers. Today, in common law systems, a...
in Hertfordshire and has designed training courses for magistrates. Additionally, she has written and performed in local theatre, the Abbey Theatre in St Albans
St Albans
St Albans is a city in southern Hertfordshire, England, around north of central London, which forms the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans. It is a historic market town, and is now a sought-after dormitory town within the London commuter belt...
, her last role was in Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde. First performed on 14 February 1895 at St. James's Theatre in London, it is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personae in order to escape burdensome social obligations...
. She has also performed at the Edinburgh Festival
Edinburgh Festival
The Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for many arts and cultural festivals that take place in Edinburgh, Scotland each summer, mostly in August...
and appeared on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
in Woman's Hour
Woman's Hour
Woman's Hour is a radio magazine programme broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in the United Kingdom.-History:Created by Norman Collins and originally presented by Alan Ivimey the programme was first broadcast on 7 October 1946 on the BBC's Light Programme . It was transferred to its current home in 1973...
. McMahon has also worked as a lyricist on various projects.
Books
- A Way through the Woods Sinclair Stevenson 1989, Bantam Books 1992 ISBN 0553404318
- Footsteps Flamingo 1997, paperback 1998 ISBN 0006550371
- Confinement Flamingo 1998, paperback 1999 ISBN 0006550800
- After Mary Flamingo 2000, paperback 2001 ISBN 0006551556
- The Alchemist's Daughter Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2006 ISBN 0297850857
- The Rose of Sebastopol Weidenfeld & Nicolson 2007 ISBN 0753823748
- Footsteps (Re-released) Phoenix 2008 ISBN 0753825449
- The Crimson Rooms Weidenfeld & Nicolson 11 June 2009 ISBN 0297853384
- Confinement (Re-released) Phoenix 11 June 2009 ISBN 0753823748
- The Crimson Rooms (US release) Putnam Adult 1 February 2010 ISBN 0399156224
- The Crimson Rooms (US paperback release) Berkley Trade 4 January 2011 ISBN-10: 042523858
Future Releases
- Season of Light Expected publication date: November 10th 2011 by Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Lyrics
- Check-out Lil (with Eric Angus). Composed for Mercury Workshop Musical Revue. Director Julia Mackenzie. Also performed on Loose Ends for BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
- Secret Tower (with James McConnel). Song commissioned by the award-winning actress and singer Janie DeeJanie DeeJanie Dee is an English actress and singer.She is married to the actor Rupert Wickham.-Theatre:Dee is presently part of the Globe Theatre 2011 season playing The Countess of Roussillion in Shakespeare's "All's Well that Ends Well" and in October she goes to Nottingham Playhouse to play Amanda in ...
Performed in her one-woman show at the National Theatre Studio and subsequently on tour. - Girls' World (with Jenny Bennett). A musical commissioned by John Kelly Girls' Technology CollegeJohn Kelly Girls' Technology CollegeThe Crest Girls' Academy, formerly known as John Kelly Girls' Technology College is a college in Neasden, Brent, North West London.-Specialism:...