Catherine McNamara

Catherine McNamara grew up in Sydney, ran away to Paris to write, and ended up in West Africa running a bar. She was an embassy secretary in pre-war Mogadishu, and has worked as an au pair, graphic designer, gallery manager, teacher, translator and shoe model. Praised by Hilary Mantel, her short story collection The Cartography of Others was published in May 2018, and was recently awarded Grand Prize in the Eyelands International Book Awards (Greece) and listed on the Literary Sofa’s Best of 2018 Reads. Her book Pelt and Other Stories (2013) was long-listed for the Frank O’Connor Award and semi-finalist in the Hudson Prize. Her short stories and flash fiction have been Pushcart-nominated and published widely in the U.K., Europe, U.S.A. and Australia. Catherine speaks Italian and French and lives in Veneto, Italy, where she hosts retreats for writers in her African-art-filled farmhouse. 

Thank you so much! I need a kick in the butt writing as I have terrible writer’s block and feel better already after your class-you are a great teacher and I feel inspired to explore flash and get my
voice out there. Thanks – Student

A concoction of professionalism and eccentricity, Cat is essential for any writer trying to work out their own writing. During her stimulating course with Litro, she kicks open the garden gate to the imagination and lets it swing. – Student

Cat offered her professional experience and ideas generously while encouraging participants to share work and give feedback. The supplementary materials – reading lists and writing prompts – sparked some great discussions. Her instruction style is warm and encouraging and I found the content of the course engaging. I am looking forward to taking another Masterclass from Cat in the future. – Student