Katie Ward

Katie Ward is an award-winning author from Suffolk UK. Her new novel, Pathways, is published by Fleet (Little, Brown UK 2024). Pathways is contemporary fiction: about Cara, a neuroscientist with a research post at Cambridge trying to make an impact in her field; and Heather, her almost-stepdaughter, who goes to Las Vegas on impulse without a backward glance. A novel of both the heart and the head, Pathways is perceptive, wry and unexpectedly moving – a love story of deep originality and intelligence.

Katie can be found at:
Website: katieward.co.uk
Bluesky: @katiewardwriter.bsky.social
Facebook: @katiewardwriter
Instagram: @katiewardwriter
Twitter: @katiewardwriter

Tell me what inspired you to write your novel?

I have a lifelong interest in philosophy and Pathways was partly inspired by the hard problem of consciousness (also known as the mind-body problem). It would not exist in this form had I not read Science and Poetry by Mary Midgley. Midgley uses the simile of the ‘ill-lit aquarium’ to describe ‘our world, including ourselves’ which must be viewed through its various windows to be better understood.

What came first the characters or the world?

Pathways

Initially it was the young protagonist, Heather, while I was still at university and trying to write my naive first novel. I didn’t succeed back then. But when I returned to Heather to try again many years later, knowing that I wanted to explore my mind-body themes, Cambridge and Las Vegas grew bigger in my imagination. These two cities added more colour and complexity to Pathways which became as important as the story of Cara and Heather.

How long did it take to write?

The total compressed writing time in this manuscript iteration? I’d say about 5+ years. Taking breast cancer, life and setbacks into account? More like 8 or 9 years. Since I first came up with the character Heather – who falls out with the woman who raised her? That was 24 years ago.

Do you have a writing playlist? If so do you want to share it?

Pathways definitely has a sound. This is the headspace I was in as I wrote it:
Porcelain by Moby
Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up) by Florence + The Machine
Rather Be by Clean Bandit, Jess Glynne
Busy Earnin’ by Jungle
Padam Padam High by Kylie Minogue
Paper Planes by M.I.A.
Cities In Dust by Siouxsie and the Banshees
Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell – both versions of course, one for Cara, and one for Heather.

What kind of reactions have you had to your book?

It’s always uplifting when other authors say how much they enjoy your work: my pre-pub readers included Eva Verde, Chioma Okereke and Kate Worsley. Since publication, I’ve had wonderful feedback about the messy stepmother/stepdaughter relationship between Cara and Heather, especially from readers in blended families. I love it when they comment on how flawed Cara and Heather are as characters, yet they still feel they were drawn sensitively. I like when people understand my sense of humour too.

What’s the favourite reaction you’ve had to your book?

‘Fascinating.’ Because whenever I talk about Las Vegas, I tell people it is one of the most fascinating cities in the world – for obvious reasons, and for less obvious reasons beneath the neon. I’m also endlessly fascinated by the mystery of consciousness, and I tried to convey that through storytelling.

Do you take notice of online reviews?

If someone contacts me to say they have posted a supportive review of Pathways, I will read it so I can thank them. But really, online reviews are more important for the algorithm these days. I strongly encourage readers to champion the books they love by living authors, not just mine. A few kind lines on the website of your choice or, even better, tell your friends in real life.

Would you ever consider writing outside your current genre?

My debut, Girl Reading, was mostly historical fiction and about art; whereas Pathways is contemporary fiction and is about neuroscience. I’ve since seen Pathways in a list of ‘lab lit’, a genre that I didn’t even know existed. Basically, I am open to all genres and forms.

Which author(s) inspire you?

I wrote a feature in the Guardian, Hilary Mantel was my mentor. Here are seven things she taught me about writing – and life, and I think it says enough.

What will always distract you?

My cat meowing for food or attention.

What were your favourite childhood books?

I’m glad you asked . . . Because I always identified strongly with Alice in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland as a small child, even more so with Alice in Through the Looking-Glass when I was a bit older. If you want to understand how I came to write Heather in Pathways, this is good background material.

Do you have a favourite bookshop? If so, which?

Shoutout to Dial Lane Books, Ipswich’s only independent bookshop! Andrew Marsh, Jonesy and the team are superstars.

Do you have any rituals when writing?

I keep a diary. The best time for me to write it is first thing in the morning with a cup of coffee. I note the salient details of yesterday, so I can mentally clear them away and feel more ready for today. I have written every day now for seven years. More than any published work, this benefits my wellbeing and keeps me honest.

What is your current or latest read?

The Ballad of Speedball Baby by Ali Smith – not Ali Smith the novelist – Ali Smith the photographer who was in a punk band in NYC in the 1990s. The Ballad of Speedball Baby is her memoir and it zings with sex, drugs and rock n’ roll, and loads of eyeliner.

Any books that you’re looking forward to in the next 12 months?

I saw Neglected Books post on Bluesky about Red House Alley by Else Jerusalem, her revolutionary novel about sex workers in 19th century Vienna, translated into English in full for the first time. I am an ally to sex worker-led organisations campaigning for decriminalisation for safety, and I just can’t wait to read this.

Any plans or projects in the near future you can tell us about?

Short stories.

Any events in the near future?

In 2025 I’m doing a few events in Suffolk, Norfolk and London to coincide with Pathways in paperback. But my regular commitment is Wolsey Writers at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, the creative writing group I started in 2015. We meet on the first Saturday morning of the month (except August) in the upstairs bar, and tickets are pay what you feel. Our community includes novelists, scriptwriters, poets, storytellers, children’s literature, comedy, and nonfiction. Every session includes tips, focused writing time, peer support and inspiration. I love those guys. I couldn’t give it up if I wanted to.