Kath Engebretson is an Australian author and former academic known for her insightful fiction, particularly for older adults, that explores themes of self-discovery, adventure and human resilience.
After a long career in education, Engebretson turned to fiction, publishing Red Dirt Odyssey (2016), the story of a widow's journey through the Australian outback, and Nineteen Days (2022), a tale of personal transformation during a cruise from Sydney to Honolulu.
Born in Australia, Kath Engebretson developed a passion for writing at an early age. "I wanted to write fiction from the time I was a teenager," she said, recalling how she first expressed her dream to a friend at school. However, her career path led her into education, where she taught for several years before earning a PhD and moving into university teaching.
For 17 years, Engebretson worked at the Australian Catholic University, where she specialised in religious studies. During this time, she authored numerous academic books and textbooks.
After retiring, Engebretson turned her attention back to fiction, finally fulfilling a lifelong dream. In 2015, she and her husband spent several months travelling through the Kimberley region of Western Australia, an experience that would inspire her first novel, Red Dirt Odyssey (2022).
The book follows Alice, a recently widowed woman, as she embarks on an adventure through the Australian outback in her camper van. Along the way, Alice meets a diverse cast of characters and learns to navigate the challenges of life, love and loss against Western Australia's stunning landscapes.
Reflecting on her writing process, Engebretson notes that she doesn't plan much of the story. "I write by hand in a notebook in a stream-of-consciousness style," she explains, letting the characters evolve naturally.
Red Dirt Odyssey has been described as "boomer lit" for its focus on the life changes and challenges faced by people over sixty, exploring themes of racial tension, faith and friendship in rural Australia.
Following the success of Red Dirt Odyssey, Engebretson published Nineteen Days (2022), which explores the lives of five passengers on a cruise ship and how their interactions lead to unexpected transformations. Her earlier novel, The Blooming of Alison Brennan (2021), focuses on a sixteen-year-old girl dealing with family secrets and struggles, blending mystery and personal growth.
Dr Kath Engebretson lives in Melbourne. She continues to write and is currently working on her next novel. She is also a member of several writing groups, including Writers' Victoria.
Photo Credit: The Photo Studio Fitzroy
