Kate Grenville
Writer
Kate Grenville is one of Australia's pre-eminent writers. Her much-loved novels, such as Lilian's Story (1985), Dark Places (1995) and Joan Makes History (1988) have become classics, admired by critics and general readers alike.
Lilian's Story was filmed starring Ruth Cracknell, Toni Collette and Barry Otto. Dreamhouse was filmed under the title 'Traps', starring Jacqueline MacKenzie. Kate's novels have been widely published in translation, and her books about the writing process are used in many writing courses in schools and universities.
Kate was born in Sydney, where she currently lives with her family. After completing a BA at Sydney University she worked in the film industry (mainly as an editor) before living in the UK and Europe for several years and starting to write.
In 1980, she completed an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Colorado where her teachers included Ron Sukenick, Robert Steiner and Steve Katz.
Returning to Australia in 1983, she worked at the Subtitling Unit for SBS Television. In 1984 her first book (a collection of stories), Bearded Ladies, was published. Since then she has published six novels and four books about the writing process, including one co-written with Sue Woolfe.
The Secret River (2005) has won many prizes, including the Commonwealth Prize for Literature and the Christina Stead Prize, and has been an international best-seller. It also formed the basis for a Doctorate of Creative Arts from University of Technology, Sydney. The Idea of Perfection (2000) won the Orange Prize. Kate's other works of fiction have been published to acclaim in Australia and overseas and have won state and national awards.
