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SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2026 WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION
An electrifying debut novel about grief, power and desire—and the tangles in between that make up a life.
When a creative writing academic becomes infatuated with his colleague – the poet – it is not long before it begins to threaten his relationship with his partner, Michael. Michael is beautiful. Michael is safe. But the poet is everything he isn’t; she has everything he wants.
While he writes about steel and sex, she dreams about the movements of swallows. While he tends to his budding career, she writes from her big, white house in the woods. As he slips between his old life and this new one, his fixation grows into something more powerful. The poet, his Kingfisher, is his sole focus. He is hypnotised. But when simultaneous illnesses intrude, he is forced to confront the consequences of his choices.
Kingfisher is a beautifully crafted novel of queer desire and power, grief and creativity, and the fine lines between obsession and tender care.
“[S]tunning…[Kelly’s] vital, fresh debut novel is highly recommended.” Library Journal
“A gentle and compassionate novel that explores the nuances of queer love and friendship.” The Guardian, Derek Owusu
“a tenderly written meditation on art, love and life that’s as much about the search for self as for connection.” Marie Claire, editor’s pick
"Kelly writes the messiness of power dynamics well." Telegraph
“Rozie Kelly finds beauty in the messiness of being human in her meditation on grief, power, desire, our search for identity, how we love and the consequences when we fall short.” Women’s Prize for Fiction Judges
“Kelly observes relationships and their intricate power dynamics with precision and grace. This sublime novel is skilful in the extreme, balancing brutality and care with the deftest touch.” The Bookseller
“… bound for success” The Yorkshire Post
“With sharp, witty dialogue and richly developed characters, this book captivates from the very first page … A compelling exploration of human nature with an unforgettable voice.” Northern Life Magazine (The Best Northern Books to Read in Spring)
“I knew from the first page that I was reading something special. Every moment was so delicate that I read as slowly as I could but still enjoyed that rare impulse, once finished, of going back to the start and reading it all over again.” Derek Owusu, award-winning writer and poet
"A best in class example of the multitudes queerness contain ... heart-shattering ... stunning all around." Georgios Chiotis
“An unmissable debut, a beautifully crafted story of relationship dynamics and how we reconstruct and find ourselves within them. Kelly writes about love, grief and longing in a beautifully lyrical prose that's both devastating and darkly funny. I can't wait to see what she does next.’ Ania Card, author of Above Us the Sea
“A story that stings with realism.” nb. Magazine
”Kingfisher stood out for its strikingly original voice and its compelling exploration of the intricacies of love, care and power in human relationships.” Maya Caspari
”An exciting new talent … original, startling, beautifully written and often darkly funny, with unforgettable characters.” NorthBound Award judges
“An immaculately crafted novel.” Adam Farrer, author of Cold Fish Soup
“A beautifully rendered novel exploring the psychology of relationships, whose fresh voice, stylistic flair and keen observational insight stunned me, as a fellow writer, with a curious mixture of admiration and envy.” Shaun Wilson
Rozie Kelly is a prose writer based in West Yorkshire, England. After reading English Literature and Creative Writing she now works for the Arvon Foundation, hosting creative writing courses. She was shortlisted for the PFD Queer Fiction Prize 2023 and is one of the eight participants in the inaugural Prototype Development Programme, which offers extended support and career development to emerging writers and artists. She won the 2024 NorthBound Book Award for Kingfisher, her debut novel.