Kate Alice Marshall author photo
Image via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Kate Alice Marshall

Born: November 19, 1988 – Seattle, Washington, United States

Kate Alice Marshall is an American novelist who writes young adult, middle grade, and adult horror and suspense. She is best known for I Am Still Alive, Rules for Vanishing, and the thriller What Lies in the Woods. Her fiction is recognized for atmospheric settings, survival narratives, and psychologically charged mysteries.

Biography & Author's Journey

Kate Alice Marshall’s path as a writer began very early. She has said that she wanted to be a writer before she could actually write, in a book-centered family where reading aloud and storytelling were part of everyday life. As a teenager, she began submitting short fiction and drafting novels, and in 2005 she attended the Odyssey Writing Workshop, an experience she later described as giving her a framework and vocabulary for learning craft. She has also credited a poetry class with sharpening her sense of sound, meter, and meaning, a technical education that fed the control and atmosphere of her later fiction. ((https://www.goodreads.com/questions/2985047-i-m-interested-in-writing-books-however))

Show More

Quotes

quote
Forever ended with the summer
-What Lies in the Woods
quote
My name is Emma Palmer. Our parents are dead. We need the police
-No One Can Know
quote
I’ve always liked to know the names of things. It’s the next best thing to knowing my own
-A Killing Cold
quote
Always it comes, and always it leaves, and always it comes again
-The Girls Before
quote
Two years ago, I began to remember things that had never happened
-How One Author Turned Her Nightmares Into a Thriller
quote
I view critiques as a conversation between writer intent and reader experience
-Interview: Graduate Kate Alice Marshall
quote
I wanted an isolation thriller, and I wanted to have a group of teens who were just really compelling characters
-Interview With Kate Alice Marshall, Author of We Won't All Survive

Discover more

Mastering the Gothic Castle Romance
LEARNING PLAN

Mastering the Gothic Castle Romance

This plan is essential for novelists looking to elevate their romance writing with atmospheric depth and psychological complexity. It is specifically designed for authors who want to move beyond cliches to create immersive, haunting worlds and compellingly flawed leads.

1 h 30 m3 Sections
Reading Dark Romance
LEARNING PLAN

Reading Dark Romance

Dark romance has emerged as a powerful literary genre that explores the shadows of human desire and complex relationship dynamics. This learning plan helps readers understand the psychological appeal of taboo themes, power imbalances, and morally ambiguous characters while developing critical analysis skills for this controversial but increasingly popular genre.

3 h 20 m4 Sections
Gothic Shadows and Psychological Depths
LEARNING PLAN

Gothic Shadows and Psychological Depths

This learning plan offers a deep dive into the evolution of literary terror, tracing how horror transitioned from external threats to internal psychological struggles. It is ideal for literature students, creative writers, and fans of the macabre who want to understand the mechanics of fear and the complexity of the human soul.

1 h 12 m3 Sections
Finish the Story You Started
LEARNING PLAN

Finish the Story You Started

Many writers struggle with the 'marathon middle' where momentum fades and plots stall. This plan is designed for novelists and storytellers who have unfinished drafts and need tactical tools to overcome structural hurdles and reach the finish line.

2 h4 Sections
Aron beauregard's playground
LEARNING PLAN

Aron beauregard's playground

This plan is essential for aspiring writers and horror enthusiasts who want to master the delicate balance between visceral shock and psychological depth. It provides a structured approach to understanding the mechanics of extreme fiction while honoring its literary significance.

3 h 27 m4 Sections
Adult fiction with intimacy
LEARNING PLAN

Adult fiction with intimacy

This learning plan is designed for adult readers seeking to deepen their understanding and appreciation of intimate fiction beyond surface-level entertainment. Whether you're a romance enthusiast wanting to explore more complex narratives, a book club member seeking thoughtful discussion material, or simply curious about why passionate fiction has become a dominant literary force, this structured approach guides you through the genre's most influential works and themes.

3 h 47 m3 Sections
The Hidden Psychology of Female Serial Killers
LEARNING PLAN

The Hidden Psychology of Female Serial Killers

This course provides a deep dive into the unique behavioral patterns and psychological frameworks of female offenders. It is essential for criminology students, true crime enthusiasts, and legal professionals seeking to move beyond gender stereotypes in criminal profiling.

1 h 12 m4 Sections
The World of Three Pines
LEARNING PLAN

The World of Three Pines

This plan is essential for readers and literary enthusiasts who want to look beyond the mystery and understand the profound human themes of Louise Penny’s work. It is ideal for aspiring writers, book club members, or fans of the series seeking a deeper analysis of Armand Gamache’s character and the healing power of community.

1 h 30 m3 Sections

Community Voices

"Kate Alice Marshall knows how to deliver fast-paced twists and turns"

West Sacramento News-Ledger ((

"Kate Alice Marshall has crafted a tautly plotted and emotionally sophisticated story"

The Nerd Daily ((

"Moving quickly and deftly, Marshall weaves a tension-filled novel that will make you question familial trust and community relations"

Seattle Times ((

"Kate Alice Marshall deftly charts a winding path through her creepy woods"

Chandler Baker ((

"Marshall masterfully balances a building thrum of tension with perfectly timed jump scares"

BCCB ((

"A master of misdirection, Marshall infuses the novel with secrets and sorrow"

The Free Lance-Star ((

"Kate Alice Marshall is an exciting new voice in the adult thriller genre"

Book of the Month ((

"Marshall delivers riveting twists, gasp-out-loud surprises, and a series of truly haunting revelations"

Natalie C. Parker ((

FAQs about this page

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
platform
comments
12
likes
117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
platform
comments
12
likes
108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
platform
comments
254
likes
17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful
platform
comments
96
likes
4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon
platform
comments
201
thumbsUp
16

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke
platform
star
star
star
star
star

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn
platform
comments
37
likes
483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu
platform
star
star
star
star
star
1.5K Ratings4.7
Start your learning journey, now