Katherine V. Forrest

Last updated
Katherine V. Forrest
Born1939 (age 84–85)
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Occupation Novelist, editor
Period20th century
Genre Mystery
Subject Lesbian literature
SpouseJo Hercus
Website
katherinevforrest.com

Katherine V. Forrest (born 1939) is a Canadian-born American writer, best known for her novels about lesbian police detective Kate Delafield. Her books have won and been finalists for Lambda Literary Award twelve times, as well as other awards. She has been referred to by some "a founding mother of lesbian fiction writing." [1]

Contents

Personal life

Forrest was born in 1939 in Windsor, Ontario.

She currently lives with her wife, Jo Hercus, in Palm Springs, California. [1]

Career

Forrest is best known for her nine novels about Kate Delafield, the first lesbian police detective in the American lesbian mystery genre [2] and is described as "Miss Marple with k.d. lang, Sherlock Holmes with Candace Gingrich, and you've got Kate Delafield: ex-Marine, homicide detective for the LAPD, queer-as-the-day-is-long heroine." [3] The second novel in the series, Murder at the Nightwood Bar, was optioned for film by director Tim Hunter. [4] The screenplay had been written and roles cast with Mary-Louise Parker as Delafield and Tom Arnold as her police partner, [5] but the project was ultimately shelved.

Her romance Curious Wine is considered [2] a classic of American lesbian literature. [6] In discussion of the "light" element of the lesbian romance Forrest said, "I think it's political as hell... Here were two women who had a lot of choices in life, a lot of options, and out of all of those options they chose the hardest one, which was to love each other." [2] The novel is credited as one that "broke through many misconceptions about lesbians and lesbian relationships." [3]

Of her personal political sensibilities, Forrest said, "We are the only subculture that incorporates both genders, all races, all colors, all creeds... Being visible can make us free...and give us a power we have never known." [5] After relocating from Los Angeles to San Francisco, near The Castro district, she said, "It would be impossible to live here and not be political." [5] This was a marked departure from her early life, of which she wrote, "Even after I committed the Big Sin and made that irrevocable passage, and even though I thereafter found women who loved me, and even though I had loving relationships, I remained essentially in the grip of all the early shame and my own powerful homophobia." [7]

Her work is also noted for unprecedented eroticism and display of lesbian sexuality. Forrest noted that classic mysteries such as Agatha Christie might not even contain a hug. "Sexuality is a part of life and it's something that readers are interested in as far as characters... Love scenes are unparalleled opportunities to characterize a major character and bring out aspects of them that you can't in normal everyday scenes." [8]

Forrest had a ten-year tenure as fiction editor at Naiad Press. She founded and currently serves as Supervising Editor at Spinsters Ink, as well as serving as the editor at large at Bella Books. [9] She has also written science fiction novels and edited numerous anthologies of gay and lesbian interest. As an editor, she worked with hundreds of writers, including Jane Rule and Lee Lynch, who wrote of Forrest's fiction, "Her stories embrace and strengthen us, and give us permission to live our lives fully just as we are." [10]

Also known for her reviews and articles about lesbian and gay publishing, Forrest authored book reviews appearing in the Los Angeles Times and San Francisco Chronicle . Articles have appeared in Brother and Sister, The Harvard Gay and Lesbian Review and The Lambda Book Report .

Awards and honors

Forrest was a recipient of the Lambda Literary Foundation's Pioneer Award in 1999 [11] and currently serves on their board of trustees. [9] She received the Alice B Readers Award in 2005 [12] and in 2008, received the Golden Crown Literary Society's Trailblazer Award, [1] [13] as well as the Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement from Publishing Triangle. [14]

Awards and honors for Forrest's writing
YearTitleAward/HonorResultRef.
1990The Beverly Malibu Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Winner [15]
1992Murder by Tradition Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Winner [16]
1993Erotic Naiad Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Anthology Finalist [17]
1997Liberty Square Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Finalist [18]
1998Apparition Alley Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Finalist [19]
2000Sleeping Bones Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Finalist [20]
2003Daughters of an Amber Noon Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Finalist [21]
2005Hancock Park Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Winner [22]
2006Daughters of an Emerald Dusk Lambda Literary Award for Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Winner [23]
2006Women of Mystery Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Finalist [23]
2006Lesbian Pulp Fiction Lambda Literary Award for Anthology Finalist [23]
2008Love, Castro StreetGoldie Award for Anthology (Non-Erotica)Winner [13]
2014High Desert Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery Winner [24]
2018Lethal CareGoldie Award for Mystery / ThrillerWinner [25]

Publications

Coral Dawn trilogy

Kate Delafield Mysteries

Other novels

Short story collections

Anthology contributions

Anthologies edited

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicola Griffith</span> British-American writer (b. 1960)

Nicola Griffith is a British American novelist, essayist, and teacher. She has won the Washington State Book Award (twice), Nebula Award, James Tiptree, Jr. Award, World Fantasy Award, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and six Lambda Literary Awards. In 2024 she was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Naiad Press (1973–2003) was an American publishing company, one of the first dedicated to lesbian literature. At its closing it was the oldest and largest lesbian/feminist publisher in the world.

Bella Books is a small press publisher of lesbian literature based in Tallahassee, Florida.

Ellen Hart is the award-winning mystery author of the Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway series. Born in Maine, she was a professional chef for 14 years. Hart's mysteries include culinary elements similar to those of Diane Mott Davidson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barbara Grier</span> American writer and publisher (1933-2011)

Barbara Grier was an American writer and publisher. She is credited for having built the lesbian book industry. After editing The Ladder magazine, published by the lesbian civil rights group Daughters of Bilitis, she co-founded a lesbian book-publishing company Naiad Press, which achieved publicity and became the world's largest publisher of lesbian books. She built a major collection of lesbian literature, catalogued with detailed indexing of topics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Wolverton</span> American novelist, memoirist, poet, and editor (born 1954)

Terry Wolverton is an American novelist, memoirist, poet, and editor. Her book Insurgent Muse: Life and Art at the Woman's Building, a memoir published in 2002 by City Lights Books, was named one of the "Best Books of 2002" by the Los Angeles Times, and was the winner of the 2003 Publishing Triangle Judy Grahn Award, and a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Her novel-in-poems Embers was a finalist for the PEN USA Litfest Poetry Award and the Lambda Literary Award.

Lambda Literary Awards are awarded yearly by the United States–based Lambda Literary Foundation to published works that celebrate or explore LGBTQ themes. The awards are presented annually for books published in the previous year. The Lambda Literary Foundation states that its mission is "to celebrate LGBT literature and provide resources for writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, and librarians—the whole literary community."

Jean M. Redmann, known professionally as J. M. Redmann and R. Jean Reid, is an American novelist best known for her Micky Knight mystery series, which has won the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Mystery three times and been a finalist four times.

Carol Anshaw is an American novelist and short story writer. Publishing Triangle named her debut novel, Aquamarine, one of "The Triangle's 100 Best" gay and lesbian novels. Four of her books have been finalists for the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction, and Lucky in the Corner won the 2003 Ferro-Grumley Award.

Greg Herren is an American writer and editor, who publishes work in a variety of genres, including mystery novels, young adult literature and erotica. He publishes work both as Greg Herren and under the pseudonym Todd Gregory.

The Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation to a work of fiction on gay male themes. As the award is presented based on themes in the work, not the sexuality or gender of the writer, women and heterosexual men may also be nominated for or win the award.

The Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation to a work of fiction on lesbian themes. As the award is presented based on themes in the work, not the sexuality or gender of the writer, men and heterosexual women may also be nominated for or win the award.

The Lambda Literary Award for Debut Fiction is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation to a debut work of fiction on LGBT themes. Formerly presented in two separate categories for gay male and lesbian debut fiction, beginning the 25th Lambda Literary Awards in 2013 a single award, inclusive of both male and female writers, was presented. The award was, however, discontinued after the 28th Lambda Literary Awards in 2016.

The Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation to a gay-themed book of poetry by a male writer.

The Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Poetry is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation to a lesbian-themed book of poetry by a female writer. At the first two Lambda Literary Awards in 1989 and 1990, a single award for LGBT Poetry, irrespective of gender, was presented. Beginning with the 3rd Lambda Literary Awards in 1991, the poetry award was split into two separate awards for Lesbian Poetry and Gay Poetry, which have been presented continuously since then except at the 20th Lambda Literary Awards in 2008, when a merged LGBTQ poetry award was again presented for that year only.

Barbara Wilson is the pen name of Barbara Sjoholm, an American writer, editor, publisher, and translator. She co-founded two publishing companies: Seal Press and Women in Translation Press. As Barbara Sjoholm, she is the author of memoir, essays, a biography, and travelogues, including The Pirate Queen: In Search of Grace O’Malley and Other Legendary Women of the Sea, which was a finalist for the PEN USA award in creative nonfiction. She is also a translator of fiction and nonfiction by Norwegian and Danish writers into English, and won the Columbia Translation Award and the American-Scandinavian Translation Award. As Barbara Wilson, she has written two mystery series and has won several awards for her mystery novels, including the British Crime Writers Association award and the Lambda Literary Award. She is known for her novel Gaudi Afternoon, which was made into a film directed by Susan Seidelman in 2001.

Robert Drake is an American editor, most well known for his work editing LGBT writing. His anthology His(2) won the Lambda Literary Award for Anthology in 1998, and another five of his anthologies have been finalists for the award.

The Lambda Literary Award for Gay Memoir/Biography is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation, to a memoir, biography, autobiography, or works of creative nonfiction by or about gay men. Works published posthumously and/or written with co-authors are eligible, but anthologies are not.

The Lambda Literary Award for Mystery is an annual literary award, presented by the Lambda Literary Foundation, to a mystery novel by or about people in the LGBT community. Prior to 2021, the award was separated into separate categories for Gay and Lesbian Mystery.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Katherine V. Forrest". Golden Crown Literary Society. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  2. 1 2 3 Forrest, Katherine V., Interviewed by Malinda Lo, AfterEllen.com "Interview with Katherine V. Forrest," Archived 2012-11-27 at the Wayback Machine August 2004.
  3. 1 2 First, Debra, Boston Phoenix, "Sister in Crime," November 1999 Archived 2011-04-21 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Hunter, Tim, interviewed by Gregg Rickman. Film Quarterly, Vol. 47, No. 1 (Autumn 1993); JSTOR   pss/1213105 University of California Press.
  5. 1 2 3 Victoria Brownworth, The Advocate; May 17, 1994, pp. 50–52
  6. ↑ Lehman, J. Lee, Advocate; 9/29/83, Iss. 377, pp. 57–58
  7. ↑ Forrest, Katherine V., Lodestar Quarterly, "The Politics of Pride"; Iss. 2, Summer 2002.
  8. ↑ Asche, Jennifer, San Francisco Chronicle; October 10, 1997. SFGate.com "She Got the Beat on Lesbian Cops"
  9. 1 2 "Katherine V. Forrest". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  10. ↑ Lynch, Lee, The Amazon Trail, September 1, 2008.
  11. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (1999-07-15). "11th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  12. ↑ "Past Alice B Medal Winners". The Alice B Awards. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  13. 1 2 "2008 Award Winners". Golden Crown Literary Society. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  14. ↑ "The Bill Whitehead Award for Lifetime Achievement". The Publishing Triangle. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  15. ↑ "2nd Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. 1990-07-13. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  16. ↑ "4th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. 1992-07-14. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  17. ↑ "5th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. 1993-07-14. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  18. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (1997-07-15). "9th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  19. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (1998-07-15). "10th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  20. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2000-07-15). "12th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  21. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2003-07-10). "15th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  22. ↑ Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2005-07-09). "17th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  23. 1 2 3 Gonzalez Cerna, Antonio (2005-04-09). "18th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary. Archived from the original on 2013-12-11. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  24. ↑ "Winners of the 26th Annual Lambda Literary Awards Announced". Lambda Literary. 2014-06-03. Retrieved 2022-02-26.
  25. ↑ "Mystery/Thriller Winners". Golden Crown Literary Society. Retrieved 2022-02-25.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.