Writer of facts and fiction

I write stories and novels inspired by sets of facts and bodies of knowledge. I'm a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and my writing appears in Iron Horse, Stone Canoe, Sport Literate, and elsewhere. I'm at work on a novel about a strained friendship and short stories involving dandelions, exoplanets and a Mars rover.

As a writer for Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences, I report on faculty research in a wide range of subjects. In recent favorites I've learned that: the universe will end in a big crunch; politicians are not ignoring you, and improvising takes vulnerability and courage.

I love to connect with people in the writing community. And fellow runners and theater geeks, too.

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Recent Blog Posts

Read of the week: Rewilding Scotland

By Kate Blackwood | May 17, 2021

“The theory goes that by giving nature a little push and then stepping back, we can put a stop to the incredible loss of biodiversity and worsening climate crisis.”

Mother stories

By Kate Blackwood | May 9, 2021

As I celebrate Mother’s Day this year with a visit from my own amazing mom, I’m thinking of mother characters who play central – and complicated – roles in novels I’ve read this year.

Read of the week: Poet couture

By Kate Blackwood | April 23, 2021

“I’ve learned that it’s okay to be afraid. And what’s more, it’s okay to seek greatness.”

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