K. M. Steele holds a PhD in English Literature from Macquarie University. Her debut novel, Return to Tamarlin, was published in 2017. Her second novel, Hunt for the Virgin Rainbow – Book 1 of the Mallory Cash Series – was published in 2021, with the second book, Race for the Topaz Stallion, scheduled for release 15 June 2024. She has articles, reviews, essays, poetry and short stories published in various journals, including Australian Book Review, Australian ejournal of Theology, Colloquy, Transnational Literature and Antipodes.
What inspired you to be a writer?
Writing keeps the voices in my head under control, and I enjoy creating strong characters and thinking about their lives. I find inspiration and endless fascination people-watching.
What prompted you to write 'Race for the Topaz Stallion'?
This novel is a continuation of the 3-part Mallory Cash series - my prompt was my commitment to finishing the series 🙂
I started the series as a NanoWrimo challenge. I wrote 30,000 words of Hunt for the Virgin Rainbow, and then put it aside. It was enjoyable, and I treated the whole exercise as light-hearted fun, because I had just finished my doctorate. When I revisited Hunt, I realised it was light-hearted and entertaining and I started working on it more seriously. When I was halfway through, I decided I wanted the main character, Mallory Cash, to have a series of adventures and planned the second and third titles - Race for the Topaz Stallion and Dash for the Diamond Crown.
Do you have any more books in the pipeline?
I am currently working on the third novel of the Mallory Cash Series – Dash for the Diamond Crown.
What is your professional background?
I have a PhD in English Literature/ Creative Writing from Macquarie University.
Any advice you’d like to give aspiring writers?
Just keep writing – you can’t publish a blank page.
Who/what inspires you?
Creativity and thinking beyond the normal parameters of a subject of any kind is inspirational to me.
What are your hobbies, interests and favourite books?
Horse-riding, running, hiking, music, reading and binging on Netflix true crime drama
Books: Foal’s Bread – Gillian Mears, Picnic at Hanging Rock – Joan Lindsay, Bush Studies – Barbara Baynton, An Imaginary Life - David Malouf, Their Brilliant Careers – Ryan O’Neill
How can readers contact you?
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/KMSteele1967
Instagram: kmsteele.author
Website: https://kmsteeleauthor.wixsite.com/mysite-2
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KM_Steele
Contact via: Hawkeye Contact Page
Di’s Delightful Drive Time (Perth) https://radiofremantle.com.au/shows/dis-delightful-drive-time?fbclid=IwAR3P3jxTIkxaS45IJtEeaecwozBJxpW4RxUM1Wyv_mfF_T4U9wSW61S5lus
Between The Covers Podcast – Listen to this great interview with Hawkeye author K. M. Steele here.
