Rozie Kelly on Her Women's Prize-Shortlisted Debut Novel 'Kingfisher': An Interview
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By Millie Lacey
If you only eat one bagel today, this is the bagel.
Summary
An interview with Rozie Kelly, author of the debut novel 'Kingfisher', which was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026. The novel explores themes of grief, desire, power, identity, and the complicated ways people seek love. Kelly discusses her journey to writing, her work with the Arvon Foundation in Hebden Bridge, and the creative process behind her acclaimed debut.
Key quotes
· 3 pulled'Kingfisher' explores grief, desire, power, identity and the complicated ways people seek love, as well as the consequences when they fall short.
Rozie Kelly is a novelist based in Hebden Bridge, where she works for the Arvon Foundation hosting creative writing courses.
Her debut novel, 'Kingfisher', published by Sarabrand in 2025, won the 2024 NorthBound Book Award and was recently shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2026.
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