Claire North

Catherine Webb, who also writes under the pseudonyms Kate Griffin and Claire North, is a British author born in 1986. Educated at the Godolphin and Latymer School and the London School of Economics, Webb began their writing career at a young age. Their first novel, Mirror Dreams, was completed at 14 and published in 2002, earning them recognition as a Young Trailblazer. Webb has authored eight young adult novels under their birth name, all published by Atom Books. They furthered their education at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, graduating in 2010.

Beyond young adult fiction, Webb has explored other genres and audiences. As Kate Griffin, they write adult fantasy novels, notably the Matthew Swift and Magicals Anonymous series. Under the name Claire North, they have published acclaimed science fiction works, including "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August," which received the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, and "The Sudden Appearance of Hope," winner of the World Fantasy Award—Novel. Their Claire North output also includes novels inspired by Homeric epics, such as the Penelope trilogy. Webb has stated they are non-binary, using she/they pronouns with a preference for they, and identifies as autistic.

Catherine Webb began their literary journey at a remarkably young age, completing their first novel, "Mirror Dreams," at just 14 years old. This early work, written during school holidays, was submitted to an agent known by their father, author and publisher Nick Webb. The manuscript secured representation and was subsequently published in 2002 by Atom Books, leading to Webb being named Young Trailblazer of the Year by CosmoGirl UK. Over their career, Webb has utilized multiple pseudonyms to explore different genres and target audiences. As Catherine Webb, they have published eight young adult novels. Under the name Kate Griffin, they delve into adult fantasy, while the pseudonym Claire North is reserved for their science fiction and novels drawing inspiration from Homeric works.

Under the Claire North byline, Catherine Webb has garnered significant attention for their contributions to science fiction and for works that echo classical literature. "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August," published in 2014, explored themes of cyclical existence and earned critical acclaim, including the John W. Campbell Memorial Award and a nomination for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. "The Sudden Appearance of Hope" (2016) won the World Fantasy Award—Novel, further solidifying North's reputation. More recently, North has engaged with classical narratives, as evidenced by "The Songs of Penelope" trilogy, which includes "Ithaca" (2022), "House of Odysseus" (2023), and "The Last Song of Penelope" (2024), demonstrating a sustained interest in reimagining ancient stories for contemporary readers.

Webb's literary output, particularly under the Claire North name, often engages with complex philosophical and speculative concepts. Works like "The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August" delve into ideas of reincarnation and the weight of accumulated experience, while "The Sudden Appearance of Hope" explores identity and individuality in a world of pervasive surveillance. In a 2025 interview, Webb disclosed their identity as non-binary, using she/they pronouns with a preference for they, and also shared that they are autistic. This self-awareness and exploration of identity may subtly inform the nuanced characters and societal structures present in their diverse body of work.