Author Kathleen Kent on Writing The Heretic’s Daughter

Show Notes

Enjoy this in-depth author interview with New York Times bestselling author Kathleen Kent. Kathleen opens up about her writing process, her journey from aspiring writer to published novelist, and the craft behind transforming family history into compelling historical fiction.

Kathleen’s debut novel, The Heretic’s Daughter, tells the story of her ancestor Martha Carrier, who was executed during the Salem Witch Trials on August 19, 1692. Martha was from Andover, the town with the most accused witches was blamed for a smallpox epidemic that killed 13 people. Even when her children were tortured into confessing against her, Martha refused to admit to crimes she didn’t commit.

This episode offers invaluable insights for aspiring novelists and historical fiction writers, covering everything from research techniques to finding your voice as a writer. Whether you’re working on your first novel or looking to deepen your craft, Kathleen’s experience and teaching expertise provide practical guidance for writers at every level.

About Kathleen Kent

Kathleen Kent is a New York Times bestselling author and member of the Texas Institute of Letters. Her novels include:

The Heretic’s Daughter (David J. Langum Sr. Award for American Historical Fiction, Will Rogers Medallion Award)
The Traitor’s Wife
The Outcasts (American Library Association “Top Pick” for Historical Fiction)
The Dime, The Burn, and The Pledge (Edgar Award-nominated crime trilogy)
Black Wolf

Kathleen teaches writing workshops and has worked with Texas Writes to mentor aspiring authors.

Episode Highlights for Writers

Kathleen’s journey from aspiring writer to published author
The writing process behind The Heretic’s Daughter
Research techniques for historical fiction writers
How to balance historical accuracy with storytelling
Finding and developing your unique voice as a writer
Working with family history and sensitive historical material
Navigating the publishing process
Teaching writing and what aspiring novelists need to know
Transitioning between historical fiction and crime fiction genres

For History Enthusiasts

Martha Carrier’s powerful story of resistance
The Andover witch trials and why this town had the most accusations
The 1690 smallpox epidemic and its connection to witch accusations
How children were tortured into testifying against their parents
Cotton Mather’s role in documenting the trials
The legacy of Salem Witch Trials victims

Keywords

historical fiction writing, Kathleen Kent, The Heretic’s Daughter, writing process, aspiring novelists, Salem Witch Trials, Martha Carrier, Andover witch trials, writing advice, author interview, historical research, novel writing, writing workshops, craft of writing, historical fiction authors, publishing advice

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