Picture a Canadian storyteller who weaves time travel, medieval monsters, and Norse myths into unforgettable tales—meet Kate Heartfield! A speculative fiction maestro, Heartfield has carved a niche with her award-winning novel Armed in Her Fashion and the thrilling Alice Payne series. Her knack for blending history with fantastical twists has captivated readers and earned her a revered spot in science fiction and fantasy.
With a journalist’s curiosity and a teacher’s passion, Heartfield doesn’t just write stories—she builds worlds that linger. Let’s dive into her journey, from her roots in Canada to her impact on speculative fiction.
The Making of Kate Heartfield
Born in 1977 in Kitchener, Ontario, Kate Heartfield grew up in Winnipeg before settling in Ottawa. Her love for storytelling bloomed early, fueled by a fascination with history’s uncanny edges. After earning a political science degree from the University of Ottawa and a master’s in journalism from Carleton University, she spent over a decade as a newspaper editor and columnist at the Ottawa Citizen. This sharpened her ability to craft precise, evocative prose—a skill that shines in her fiction.
Heartfield’s pivot to speculative fiction began with short stories in 2013, published in outlets like Strange Horizons. Her journalism background gave her a unique lens, blending real-world grit with fantastical what-ifs. By 2018, she was a rising star, balancing writing with teaching journalism at Carleton and creative writing online.
Kate Heartfield’s Unforgettable Stories
Heartfield’s debut novel, Armed in Her Fashion (2018, later reissued as The Chatelaine), is a dark, vivid fantasy set in 1328 Bruges. It follows Margriet, a widow battling a hellish Chatelaine and her chimeric army to secure her daughter’s inheritance. Critics praised its gritty medieval realism and feminist edge, earning it the 2019 Aurora Award for Best Novel.
The Alice Payne series—Alice Payne Arrives (2018) and Alice Payne Rides (2019)—is a steampunk romp through time. Alice, a highwaywoman in 1788 England, gets entangled in a time war with Major Prudence Zuniga. With queer joy and sharp wit, the novellas explore history’s malleability, earning Nebula and Aurora nominations. Heartfield’s interactive fiction, like The Road to Canterbury, showcases her versatility, blending Chaucer-inspired narratives with player-driven choices.
Her later works, like The Embroidered Book (2022), a Sunday Times bestseller, and The Valkyrie (2023), a lyrical Norse myth retelling, cement her range. Heartfield’s style—rich, character-driven, and unafraid of paradox—makes history feel alive and unpredictable.
Why Kate Heartfield Matters
Kate Heartfield’s work reshapes speculative fiction by grounding fantastical tales in human struggles. Her feminist lens and historical depth challenge genre norms, while her time-travel narratives, inspired by Connie Willis, tackle paradox with narrative finesse. Beyond writing, she nurtures new voices through teaching and community roles, like her time on the Ottawa International Writers Festival board.
Her awards—three Aurora wins, Nebula and Locus nominations—reflect her influence. Heartfield’s stories invite readers to question history, power, and possibility, making her a vital voice in modern fantasy and science fiction.
- Born: 1977, Kitchener, Ontario
- Key Works: Armed in Her Fashion, Alice Payne series, The Embroidered Book
- Awards: Aurora Award (2019, Best Novel), Nebula nominee (2019, Best Novella)
Snag Alice Payne Arrives and dive into Kate Heartfield’s time-twisting, history-bending adventures!