Sheila Kaye-Smith

[ColinL]

Sheila was a Hastings born novelist, unknown to me until recently. She was a child prodigy in that it is reported that she had written 13 novels whilst still at school at Hastings & St L's Ladies College. She was born at Battle Lodge, Dane Road.

Her first novel published when she was only 20 followed by four more before she was 30. She specialised in local Sussex themes :-

"Kaye-Smith's descriptions of the Sussex countryside, coast and marsh are still regarded as some of the finest. Several of her heroines become single parents and most face various gender-related trials, reflecting her early feminism as well as influences such as George Moore and Thomas Hardy. Kaye-Smith also produced many short stories, and journalism published in national journals, magazines and newspapers." (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

There is a Blue Plaque on her original home

She is on my list of authors to read. From the information on her in a biography of East Sussex writers I think that she might be of interest.

[Richard]

Hard to believe anyone could have written 13 novels wjile still at school - must look her work up!!