Kate Mosse

Author:
Kate Mosse

Date of birth: 20th October 1961
Place of birth: West Sussex, UK

About the author:
Kate Mosse CBE FRSL is a prolific English novelist, playwright, and non-fiction writer, widely celebrated for her sprawling historical epics and her tireless advocacy for women in literature. Born on 20th October, 1961, in Chichester, West Sussex, she has become one of the most successful contemporary authors, with her work translated into nearly 40 languages.

Early Life and Career:
Mosse grew up in Fishbourne, West Sussex, and attended Oxford University, where she earned her BA and MA. Before becoming a full-time author, she spent seven years in publishing as an editor and publishing director for Hutchinson and Radius. She also served as the deputy director of the Chichester Festival Theatre and has frequently appeared as a presenter for arts programs on the BBC.

The "Labyrinth" and Global Success:
Mosse achieved international superstardom with the publication of her third novel, Labyrinth (2005). This "timeslip" thriller—set between modern-day France and the 13th-century Albigensian Crusade—became a global phenomenon, winning the British Book Awards "Book of the Year" in 2006.

The Languedoc Trilogy: Labyrinth was the first in a trilogy that includes Sepulchre (2007) and Citadel (2012). These books are noted for their meticulous historical research and their evocative portrayal of the Carcassonne region of France.

The Joubert Family Chronicles: In 2018, she launched a new ambitious quartet beginning with The Burning Chambers, followed by The City of Tears (2020), The Ghost Ship (2023), and The Map of Bones (2024). This series spans 300 years of history, following a Huguenot family from the French Wars of Religion to the settlement of the Cape in South Africa.
Gothic Fiction: She is also known for chilling atmospheric tales like The Winter Ghosts and The Taxidermist’s Daughter, the latter of which she adapted for the stage in 2022.

The Women’s Prize for Fiction:
One of Mosse’s most significant contributions to the literary world is co-founding the Women’s Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize) in 1996. The prize was established in response to the all-male 1991 Booker Prize shortlist to ensure that exceptional writing by women received the recognition it deserved. She remains the Founder Director and recently helped launch the Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction in 2024.

Recent Projects and Personal Life:
Mosse is a champion of "hidden" history. Her recent non-fiction works include:
Warrior Queens & Quiet Revolutionaries (2022): A feminist history of women who changed the world, which inspired her own one-woman theatrical touring show.
An Extra Pair of Hands (2021): A moving memoir about her experience as a "sandwich generation" carer for her aging parents.
Feminist History for Every Day of the Year 2025): Her latest release, offering 366 daily stories of remarkable women.

Kate Mosse lives in West Sussex and Carcassonne, France with her husband, Greg Mosse. She was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2024 for her services to literature and women.
Would you like a detailed reading order for her Joubert Family Chronicles, or perhaps more information on her campaign to celebrate women's achievements in history?

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