If there was a fire in your home, which book would you rush to save from the flames? Do you have a much loved volume from childhood, a book that was a gift from someone special, or simply a copy of an adored novel that always falls open at the right page?
Join me as I ask my special guest this question. Find out what their choice is and why they would save their very special copy in the case of disaster.
This time, I put this question to award-winning and best-selling Australian writer, Kate Forsyth.
Kate’s most valuable book in one that is very close to her heart. One that she’ll treasure for ever. It’s the first adult book that she ever read and is the first retelling of a myth that she read. Listen to Kate explain why this book is just so special to her. You’re sure to be moved by this tale.
Dr Kate Forsyth is an award-winning author, poet, and storyteller whose work spins together art, folklore, history and myth into spellbinding new tales. Kate has been called one of ‘the finest writers of this generation’, and ‘one of the best storytellers of our modern age.’
Her latest book, Psykhe will be released in May 2024.
Kate has a BA in literature, a MA in creative writing, and a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale and mythic studies, focusing on the history, science and purpose of storytelling. She is an acclaimed teacher of creative writing and lectures on creativity, fairy tales, myths, and around the world. An accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers, she runs writing and cultural retreats in Australia, Greece, and the United Kingdom.
You can read more about Kate on her website or connect with her on social media: Facebook: @kateforsythauthor, Twitter: @KateForsyth, Instagram: kate_forsyth_
Have you read Kate’s book of choice? Tell me your thoughts by leaving a comment.
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Catherine Patterson
This was excellent. Kate and Susannah your passion for books was very evident in this talk, including both of you having strong family influences on your chosen careers in the literary world. I am going to be brave and say that I hadn’t heard of Kate as an author or her books, so I am so, so, so grateful I now know of Kate’s books. I look forward to reading my first Kate Forsyth book from my local library.
Interestingly watching this video has come at a very good time because last Sunday (8/4/24) I saw the exhibition Fairy Tales at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) which I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. This exhibition closes on Sunday 28th April, 2024 for those interested. With life experience behind me, and having met or come by both the good and not so good people that inhabit this world, I see that there is a deeper layer, a message, a moral, behind the fairy tales, for example, Little Red Riding Hood (who hasn’t met a wolf at some point in one’s life). I look forward to reading Kate’s books. Thank you Susannah (and Kate) for this inspiring talk : )