Kate Holden was born in 1972 and went to progressive community schools and the University of Melbourne, where she studied classics and literature.

She also has a graduate diploma in professional writing and editing and a Masters in Creative Writing from RMIT.

Her first book, the bestselling In My Skin: A memoir was published by Text in 2005 to critical acclaim and sold to ten countries. Kate has also written a popular column for The Age for several years as well as widely published essays, short stories, and literary criticism. Her second book The Romantic was released in 2010.