Kate McCaffrey is an award-winning Australian author of six published novels across adult and young adult fiction. Her debut adult crime novel, Double Lives (2022), was shortlisted for the Sydney Crime Awards. Her YA titles—Destroying Avalon, In Ecstasy, Beautiful Monster, Crashing Down, and Saving Jazz—have received national and international recognition, including the Western Australian Premier’s Award, a White Raven Award and the Australian Family Therapists’ Award. Widely studied in Australian schools, her work is known for engaging teen readers with confronting social issues. Her work-in-progress, The Whitney Files, a psychological thriller exploring gendered violence and systemic failure, was shortlisted in the Blake Beckett Scholarship in 2025. Kate holds a PhD in Creative Writing, with research focusing on toxic masculinity, rape culture, and consent in contemporary fiction. With over 30 years’ experience as a senior English and Literature educator, she is also a sought-after speaker at schools, literature festivals, and teacher development events.
Kate McCaffrey
Books from this author
Awards
Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature (Winner 2017)
Australian Family Therapists’ Awards for Children’s Literature (Winner 2015)
Western Australian Young Readers’ Book Award (Shortlisted 2015)
International Youth Library’s White Raven list (Noteworthy Mention 2011)Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature (Winner 2008)
Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature (Highly Commended 2007)
Western Australian Premier’s Book Award (Winner 2007)
Children’s Book Council of Australia (Notable Book 2007)
West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award (Winner 2007)