Kelly Frost | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 1999 (age 26) |
| Alma mater | University College London Lincoln College, University of Oxford |
| Website | |
| www | |
Kelly Frost (born 1999) is a British writer. Her debut novel The Kings Head (2025) was named The Sunday Times historical fiction book of the month.
Frost grew up in Salisbury and was educated at South Wilts Grammar School. She has an undergraduate degree in English from University College London and a Masters degree in American Literature from the University of Oxford. [1] During her time at Oxford, she published her writing in Cherwell and was Fiction and Poetry Editor at The Oxonian Review . [2] [3]
At 21, she wrote The Kings Head during the Covid pandemic. [4] Atlantic Books won the rights to her "swaggering debut of conflict and camaraderie" in June 2023, with the publishing director for Atlantic Fiction describing it as "one of the most energetic and forceful debuts we've encountered for an age". [5]
The Kings Head was published in February 2025 to widespread acclaim. It was named The Sunday Times historical fiction book of the month. [6] [7] [8] Times critic Nick Rennison said the novel was "not only a compelling story but also an understated celebration of female friendship and a lament for how it changes over time". [9] The Observer also reviewed the novel, praising Frost's "addictive" descriptions and how she "expertly toys with gender and explores young people’s place in the world". [10] Stylist magazine included The Kings Head in its best new books of 2025 list, [11] and international bestseller Joseph O'Connor chose The Kings Head as one of the best books for summer 2025 in The Irish Times , calling her a "writer to watch". [12]
Her second novel will be published in June 2026, also with Atlantic Books. [13]
Frost is a trained journalist and was a reporter in Jersey for two years, [14] and she has also worked as a communications executive at a law firm. [15] [16] She "very proudly" describes herself as a feminist. [4]
She lives in London. [13]