Kate Leaver

2010
1st Place in Poetry (PALM Awards)
Masterchef: A Three Course Limerick

Kate Leaver is a journalist, author, and former professional fairy.

She’s currently a producer on the much-loved, chart-topping podcast, 'Just The Gist' with Rosie Waterland. Kate writes regularly for The Guardian and The Big Issue, edits manuscripts, and publishes a Substack newsletter called ENTHUSIASM. Kate is also working on her first novel.

As a journalist, Kate’s work has been published by British Vogue, Glamour, The Independent, The Sydney Morning Herald, and elsewhere. She’s appeared on BBC Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio London, ITV News, ABC Breakfast, Radio National and The Today Show. She writes and talks about things like pop culture, health, human relationships, psychology, rescue pets, and the climate crisis.

Kate once worked as a senior editor on a popular Australian women’s website, producer on an evening radio show, features editor on a glossy women’s magazine, and launch editor of the digital offshoot of a major film and literary franchise.

"I’ve actually had 'won a poetry competition judged by Les Murray for a three-course limerick about Masterchef' on every resume I’ve had since university. It was one of my funniest, favourite achievements from that time of my life.

Genuinely, doing creative extracurricular things on campus - editing Honi Soit and The Bull, performing in the first Women’s Revue, amusing myself with limericks - taught me as much, if not more, than my actual studies. They were some of the best things I’ve done if I’m honest - I made such important friends, found out what I liked to do, worked out who I was, and had so much fun. Strong recommend."