Kate Kelly's Blog

The Self Published Science Fiction Competition 2025

The Self Published Science Fiction Competition - or SPSFC5 - is now taking entries. So if you have a self published SF novel why not give it a go.

I've just entered Permafrost and this will be my third year taking part. I'm really looking forward to discovering some great new books to read and rave about on this blog.

Here's the link if you fancy joining me in the contest. SPSFC5

The Based Book Sale - on now!

I'm participating in another time - this time its the Based Book Sale which runs from the 3rd - 10th September 2025. 

I have two books in the sale, both priced at only 99p/99c! Grab them while you can - before the price goes back up!

The Narratess Indie Book Sale

For three days only the Narratess Indie book sale will have a feast of Fantasy, Science Fiction and Horror books, either on sale or free! One of my books, The Arid Lands, is in the sale, available for only 99p/99c or equivalent depending on which country you are in. So don't miss out. Grab your copy now.

Check out the sale here. There are over 300 books available so you're bound to find something you like. It's time to load up those kindles!

The Reviews Are Coming In

 My latest self published SF novel, Permafrost, has been out in the world for a couple of months and I'm delighted to see how well it it being received. It is gathering some great reviews, both on Goodreads and Amazon, and then there's this one at the Popular Science Books Blog to add to those giving it 5 stars!

The Epic Indie Sale

For the next seven days Dragons of Dunmoray will be part of the Epic Indie sale. You can grab yourself a copy for only 99c/99p.

So waste no more time - head over to the Epic Indie Website and check out all the amazing fantasy and Science Fiction which is either free or on sale.

And now for a reprint

I'm delighted to share with you that my short story, The Last Library, which appeared in New Myths Magazine back in 2020, will be reprinted in the forthcoming anthology from New Myths, Janus Gates, due sometime in 2026.

Let's Get Villainous!

The Bournemouth Festival of Writing has released a whole load of photographs, courtesy of Solid Imagery, and so I have included a selection from my workshop, Let's Get Villainous, which was a huge success. But don't worry if you missed out. I hope to run this one again so watch this space.

Back into the fray

The publishing industry is tough, and since the pandemic it has only got tougher. There was a time when agent submissions were almost guaranteed a reply, if only a form letter, but these day’s you’re lucky to get a reply at all, and that in itself can be so disheartening – it’s like sending your work into a black hole to be swallowed up and never heard from again.

Then if you are lucky enough to get published it’s no guarantee of future success. I’ve now been published twice. Firstly Red Rock wit...

Self Publishing Update (May 2025)

For the past few years, in fact, ever since I received my rights back for Red Rock and dipped my toe into this alternative world, this alternative route for my books, I’ve been working my way through the Science Fiction backlist and self publishing those novels through Amazon under my SF author identity Kate Kelly. 

It’s been an interesting project and the latest, and probably the last of these for a while is Permafrost which comes out officially today. Permafrost is a post apocalyptic SF thrille...

The Bournemouth Festival of Writing

The Bournemouth Festival of Writing took place last weekend with a wide range of events, talks, workshops, an author’s marketplace, book launches, writing on the beach – not to mention the now infamous naked writing workshop hosted by the wonderfully named Jonny Fluffypunk. (I didn’t take part – too much of a coward). 

I was delighted to be part of this event, running a workshop called ‘Let’s Get Villainous’ which was a character workshop with a difference – the aim being for all the participants...