Notes From Kate
“And Now: The Story Behind the Story…”
That was Larry Glick’s favorite on-air teaser. He was a late night radio host on WBZ, a Boston AM station that dominated the airwaves of my childhood. His show was unpredictable, as were his guests, but I listened with rapt
On Air with Mindy Todd
I’m a huge fan of WCAI, our local NPR station was thrilled to be able to chat about my novel, The Maestro and Her Protégé on The Point with the stellar Mindy Todd (pictured with her giant microphone). Click here
Join Me for the Launch!
The release date for The Maestro and Her Protégé is quickly approaching, and I’d love for you to celebrate with me. Click here to RSVP for the virtual launch on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 7-8 PM ET. Hope to see
Diving In
In last summer’s Yankee cover story, “Cape Cod Confidential,” I made passing mention of the many kettle ponds on Cape Cod. This year, in the July-August issue, I remember a golden-green landscape and an important personal plunge.
Take a Seat…
Sometimes I pitch a story or an essay to Yankee, and sometimes the folks in Dublin come up with an assignment that I’d never dream up on my own. This one took me to East Harwich, to meet with Justin
Listen to the Cottage!
I’m a huge fan of audiobooks–I listen on Libro.FM, where I can also support my favorite indie bookstore–so I’m extra excited about the audiobook release of the new 20th anniversary edition of Cottage for Sale, Must Be Moved. The original
Hydrangea-Happy
“Oh, that’s my favorite flower!” When I told folks I was working on a piece for Yankee about hydrangeas, I was struck by how many times I heard this. And I kept thinking isn’t it a shrub? Then, I discovered
Refuge
Sought, found, lost, reclaimed. A place, a person, a state of mind, an entire country. Familiar or unknown, in the past or in a hoped-for future. In Issue 6 of Multiplicity, thirteen essayists, seven poets, and three photographers capture the allure, power,
Romance in the Square…
When Rachel Kanter first contacted me about creating a romance bookstore in Harvard Square, I have to say it was love at first imagining! My calendar didn’t support a soup-to-nuts design job, but that worked out beautifully, as David McMahon
20 Years Deserves a Celebration!
The beautiful new 20th anniversary edition of Cottage For Sale, Must Be Moved is in the world, and in true cottage-moving style, we had a party–this time, on Zoom! It was a LOT of fun, with about 150 folks in
Cape Cod Confidential
I love chasing a Yankee story–and I chased this one all over the Cape! There was so much I wanted to cram into the piece, but alas, I could only finagle so many pages, and we needed to save plenty
Multiplicity Issue 5
At last! Wrangling this issue, I wondered if our work experience might be echoing our theme: OUT OF CONTROL. There were more than enough moving parts, as we labored to bring the website up to date and publish our first
Quick Work Returns!
And so does Multiplicity! After a two-year hiatus, the literary magazine of the Bay Path MFA is back, and we’re leading up to the big reveal with a Quick Work series on our issue theme, OUT OF CONTROL. These true
At Any Age
In this latest issue of Multiplicity, we explore the milestone moments–from eight to eighty—that span a life. Twelve essayists, six poets, and two photographers illuminate the subtle joys, rediscovered moments, and dramatic revelations of childhood, youth, midlife, and eldering.
More Quick Work!
In the latest series of Quick Work stories, writers share small moments and important life passages in 100 words or fewer. All leading up to our Spring/Summer issue of Multiplicity, AT ANY AGE. Click through the links below for some
A Cape Cod Afternoon
On a gorgeous June afternoon in 2021, I sat down with Dana Paradis to talk about the old home that she and her husband Guido have lovingly restored. We sipped ice tea, surrounded by gorgeous blooms in the garden she’s
We Can All Use a Perfect Day.
That’s why I wrote this cover story for Yankee magazine. It was a lot of research, but also a lot of fun, curating an autumn-in-New England to-do list. An abbreviated version is available online, but if you missed the print
The Bridges of Barnstable County
I’ve had a lifelong love affair with the three bridges that span the Cape Cod Canal. Recently, the editor of Yankee magazine let me declare myself in print. Here’s the piece from the July-August issue of the magazine, now available
Multiplicity Issue 3
I’m loving our latest issue of Multiplicity. It’s a place to explore the meaning and experience of beginning anew. In personal essays, poems, and photographs, our sixteen contributors reveal surprising truths about life after losing (or leaving) a loved one, immigrating
Listen…and Be Happy!
Here’s my recent interview on WCAI with Mindy Todd, host of The Point. Librarian Leslie Altman from the Yarmouth Port Library explains that she suggested COTTAGE to the library book group because they were looking for a book with a
Book Group On-Air!
We’re talking about COTTAGE FOR SALE on Thursday, May 20, at 9 AM, with Mindy Todd on The Point. To join the conversation, tune into WCAI-FM or stream the live broadcast online or on the NPR app. There’s a re-broadcast at
Our Second Issue is Live!
I’m so excited by the range and power of the work in our Fall 2020 issue. Read our Editors’ Note (writing with editorial director Leanna James Blackwell) to learn more: In this issue, you’ll find personal essays, poems, and photographs
Do You Hear the Bells?
Sometimes, we get to write what we love. For me, “Life and Chimes” was an opportunity to share some of my favorite listening with the readers of Yankee magazine. You can find this essay in the opening pages of the
Quick Work
Work: Love it, hate it, do it, don’t. In July, I curated a series of micro-nonfiction on the subject for Multiplicity. Each true story about work is 100 words or fewer. It’s been lots of fun to see what writers
Why We Play
I’m missing the Cape Cod Concert Band in these days of COVID-isolation. Maybe that makes the timing (oddly) perfect for the publication of “Why We Play,” in the inaugural issue of Multiplicity Magazine.
New Bookstore!
When I’m not writing or teaching, I’m making bookstores. My latest design opened in late December of 2019: Still North Books & Bar in Hanover, New Hampshire. It was a pleasure working with owner Allie Levy to create a gathering place for
Fun With Food
Another editorial project is being revealed to the world: Welcoming Food by Andrew Sterman. These two volumes integrate the teachings of Chinese medicine with modern food science—and yes, there are yummy recipes! I learned a lot from Andrew as we
A Lit Mag?
I never thought I’d grow up to be an editor at a literary magazine, but it was thrilling to be on the launch team for Multiplicity Magazine. After a year—or maybe two—of work behind the scenes, we launched the first issue in