The Witch of Cologne

Tobsha Learner

Tobsha Learner was born and raised in England and has lived in both Australia and the USA. She is well-known in Australia as a playwright and her first collection of short stories, Quiver, has sold over 150,000 copies internationally.

Her second book, Madonna Mars, was a thriller set in Los Angeles and Washington. Her third book - the bestselling The Witch of Cologne - was her first work of historical fiction and was followed by another collection of short stories, Tremble: Sensual Fables of the Mystical and Sinister, and Soul. Her seventh book Yearn is available now. Tobsha divides her time between London, Sydney and California.

Philosophy

My aim is to move the reader emotionally and to illuminate along the way. Many of my narratives tend to have epic plotlines - ordinary people placed in extraordinary circumstances. I originally trained as a sculptor, and I believe this visual sensibility is apparent in the vividness of many of the scenes and locations I describe, and in the physical tension between and around characters, whether in prose or script. I am interested in relationship - the fantastic and the political, redemption and moral ambiguity. As a writer I aspire toward creating great characterisation that makes landscape visceral.

To read Tobsha’s revealing answers to the Booktopia Book Guru’s TEN TERRIFYING QUESTIONS…and to leave a comment - CLICK HERE