Kell Woods in an Australian historical fantasy author whose debut novel has just been released in Australia/New Zealand, the UK and the US.

Called ‘After the Forest’ Kell has written a rich, compelling and utterly remarkable fairytale retelling.   

Set in the Black Forest of Wurrtemberg during the mid-17th century, the story picks up 15 years after Greta and her brother Hans escape from an old witch and her gingerbread house. In the aftermath of a brutal war and with no one but her gambling brother to help look after her, Greta bakes the best gingerbread around in an effort to keep her family afloat.  But rumours about her continue to swirl and the superstitions of the villagers are becoming harder to keep at bay.

Weaving history, fantasy, romance and fairytale together, this book had me turning pages deep into the night and had me in awe of Kell’s storytelling abilities. 

I was thrilled to chat about this incredible book with Kell on the podcast recently.