News & Events

December 16, 2026 6pm - 8pm GMT

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As we approach the darkest time of year, join award-winning author Cathryn Kemp as she delves into gothic fiction and how it continues to resonate today.

We’ll explore themes of mystery, horror and the supernatural, as well as settings, characters, dread and building the gothic world in your writing. With writing exercises and prompts, you’ll craft the uncanny alongside discussion. 

Bring a pen, notebook or laptop and put the gothic into your fiction. 

Kemptown Bookshop, Brighton 

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October 30 - November 1, 2026 

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 Come and celebrate Women in Horror at our weekend festival.

Including author talks from the some of the best women writers in horror, an interactive film screening, tarot readings,  and spooky goody bags from Lush Nottingham!

November 1 - 11am-1:15pm: 
Toil and Trouble Panel: Laura Evans, Cathryn Kemp and Aimee MacDonald

October 31, 2026

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A one-day festival for readers who love immersive worlds and unforgettable stories. Across the day, some of the most exciting voices in fantasy and storytelling will come together in Brighton for a series of intimate conversations exploring imagination, world-building, obsession, fandom, myth, magic, and the stories that shape us. 

It is thoughtful, warm, conversational, and deliberately intimate. Expect brilliant discussions, beautiful books, signings throughout the day, and the rare pleasure of spending time in a room filled entirely with people who love stories as much as you do.

September 8, 2026 

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The Grand Prix du Roman Historique, launched in 2020, by Hauteville editions in partnership with Ça m'intéresse Histoire, annually rewards, among a selection of titles, the favorite historical novel of readers published during the previous year.

This year, it is Cathryn Kemp with the excellent novel The Poisoner of Palermo, which succeeds Louise Fein in 2025 and Alison Weir in 2024. She narrates the story of the one who was considered the first serial killer in history. It is a bewitching novel, an ode to sorority, transgression and secret rebellion.

August 27, 2026 

Cathryn will be reading from and discussing her novel  as well as answering questions and signing copies, and will be held in person at the shop and online via Zoom.

Copies of They Can't Burn Us All, signed or otherwise can be purchased here: They Can't Burn Us All by Cathryn Kemp – Wave of Nostalgia

Tickets are £5. Attendees in person will receive a free drink - wine, tea or coffee and ALL attendees will be eligible for 10% off all books in the shop or online.
Wave of Nostalgia
74 Main Street, Haworth 
Keighley, West Yorkshire BD22 8DP

7-11 June  2026 

 

Step into the shadows of the Gothic with CJ Cooke and Cathryn Kemp and discover how to craft fiction rich in atmosphere, tension, and emotional depth. 

March 19, 2026 

 

Professor Suzannah Lipscomb investigates the legend of Giulia Tofana, the so-called criminal mastermind behind a secret poison network. With historical novelist Cathryn Kemp, she uncovers the blurred line between truth and terror, reveals how the Pope hunted down a group of women who were not only independent businesswomen but who were striking back at abusive husbands across Italy..

19 November 2025

 

'A Posioner's Tale', Cathryn Kemp's gothic and spellbinding novel with poisoning and papal intrigue, wins the 2025 HWA Debut Crown Award.

December 21, 2025

Cathryn Kemp

A graduate of The Novelry, Cathryn’s gorgeous historical fiction novel, A Poisoner’s Tale, was published in paperback by Penguin Random House in the U.K. and Union Square & Co. in the U.S. 

A dark and gripping feminist retelling of the spellbinding legend of the notorious Italian poisoner, Giulia Tofana, A Poisoner’s Tale won the HWA Debut Crown Award!

15 October 2025

 

Cathryn Kemp's complex and powerful novel, "A Poisoner's Tale" shortlisted for the 2025 Debut Crown Award.

22 February 2025

 

Cathryn will be speaking as part of the ‘Witchcraft in Fiction Panel’ at the UK Ghost Story Festival.

6 February 2025

 

Cathryn will read from her book, answer questions and sign copies. 10% off all books at the event in Haworth.

21 October 2024

 

An in-depth Q & A on the popular blog, BooksByYourBedside.org, Cathryn Kemp discusses the process and ideas behind her novel, A Poisoner's Tale.

4 September 2024

 

Book signing, reading and in conversation with author Rachel Blackmore

10 July 2024 

 

She is the legendary serial killer you may not have heard of. Giulia Tofana, a woman famed for the undetectable poison she unleashed upon the unsuspecting husbands of 17th-century Palermo and Rome.

Read this fascinating article by Cathryn Kemp on History.

7-11 December 2026 

 

On the newest of our themed four-night writing retreats, Cathryn Kemp, author of award-winning novel, A Poisoner’s Tale, will help you dive into the murky depths of writing witches.

November 2, 2026 

 

We're so excited to welcome acclaimed authors Cathryn Kemp & Mairi Kidd to store this November to celebrate the publications of their new books - They Can't Burn Us All & The Second Best Whore in Town.
November 2 at Rare Birds Books, Edinburgh.

October 7, 2026 

 

The best-selling author of The Poisoner of Palermo offers us a magnificent dark and feminist rewriting of Iceland's most famous witchcraft trial of the 17th century.

Purchase your copy HERE

Begins September 2026 

 

The Creative Writing Programme has been carefully designed to develop your understanding of the craft of writing, to provide you with the support and structure you need to push your skills to another level and to complete a planned writing project.

August 13, 2026 

 

Pre-orders available now.

July 18, 2026 

 

Through the lens of a writer and artist, we'll draw inspiration from the world around us, cultivating curiosity in the act of creation.

Join award-winning, bestselling author and ghostwriter, Cathryn Kemp, and internationally-recognised visual artist, Clarissa Shanahan, for a practical and inspiring online workshop on the creative process.
Develop your practice with creative writing prompts, guided visualisations and methods to overcome creative blocks, within a welcoming, inspiring space. Together, we'll explore where ideas come from, how to access our inner knowing and develop our creative intuition.

May 1, 2026 

 

The upcoming release of THEY CAN'T BURN US ALL, mentioned in the New Titles: Fiction for August.
Release date is August 13, 2026.

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Pre-orders available HERE

7 November 2025

 

 In this episode we are diving back to Renaissance Italy to learn more about a circle of women poisoners, and the men they chose to murder. Podcast on Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal and Society

Kate is joined by Cathryn Kemp, author of historical novel, 'A Poisoner's Tale'.

30 April 2025

How tarot, a historic trial, and female rage inspired her bestselling novel, A Poisoner's Tale

29 March 2025

 

Cathryn will be speaking as part of the ‘Nightshade’ event in Zwolle, Northeastern Netherlands.

13 February 2025

 

Join us for an evening of conversation, hosted by Sarah Gwonyoma, to celebrate the paperback release of A Poisoner’s Tale.

29 October 2024

 

Cathryn Kemp and Rosie Hewlett meet and discuss their books in time for the commencement of Halloween.

22 September 2024

 

Cathryn Kemp and four other local published writers meet to talk about their work and the publishing process, hosted by Della Reynolds.

11 July 2024

 

Book signing, reading and in conversation with book influencer @whatsarahreadnext

2 January 2013

 

Cathryn joins Kate on the Lorraine sofa to discuss her debut, "Painkiller Addict: From Wreckage to Redemption - My True Story"