4 minute read
Heather Marshall, BA'10: From King's Research Papers to Bestselling Novels
When bestselling author Heather Marshall, BA'10 (political science and history), returned to King’s for Research Week, she did more than reflect on her journey— she illuminated the critical role research has played in her career as a novelist.
Speaking to students, faculty, and fellow alumni, Marshall shared how the skills she developed at King’s formed the foundation for her award-winning work in historical fiction.
“Looking back, I realize that everything I’m doing now started right here at King’s,” Marshall said. “The ability to conduct deep, careful research, to think critically, and to synthesize information—these are tools that have made my novels possible.”
After graduating from King’s, Marshall earned master’s degrees in history and political science from the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University while building a career in politics and communications. Writing remained a passion project on the side—until it wasn’t.
Her debut novel, Looking for Jane, became an instant #1 national bestseller upon its release in 2022. It explores the fight for reproductive rights and the hidden history of Canada’s maternity homes, and was born from research she began during her master’s studies and revisited years later.
“I stumbled across the story of Canada’s maternity homes almost by accident,” Marshall said, recalling how learning about the 300,000 unmarried women forced to give up their babies from the 1940s to the 1970s floored her. “I was shocked I hadn’t known about this history — and I knew right away it was a story that needed to be told.”
Looking for Jane has since been published in 17 languages across 21 territories, was optioned for a TV series, and has earned numerous accolades, including being named one of Indigo’s Top 10 Best Books of 2022 and a finalist in the 2023 Goodreads Choice Awards.
Marshall described how her creative process is firmly rooted in research. Before writing, she immerses herself in the political, cultural, and social contexts of her novels’ settings. That often means digging through archival materials, studying old laws, interviewing key figures, and filing Freedom of Information requests — research skills she credits directly to her undergraduate education at King’s.
She shared her gratitude for professors such as Dr. Stephanie Bangarth, whose Canadian history classes fueled her passion for uncovering untold stories, and Dr. Erin Hannah, whose political science courses deepened her understanding of policy, governance, and social justice. Heather noted that these professors, among others, helped her cultivate the essential skills she now relies on every day as a historical fiction author.
At King’s, I learned how to learn. I learned how to find not just information but accurate, useful information,” she emphasized. “In an age of rampant misinformation, these skills are more vital than ever.
Marshall’s commitment to thorough research not only grounds her fiction in historical authenticity but also allows her to honour the real women whose lives inspire her stories. Her second novel, The Secret History of Audrey James, continues her focus on uncovering the hidden histories of courageous women. Her upcoming third novel, Liberty Street, is set against the backdrop of Toronto’s women’s prisons and features characters shaped by extensive research into 1960s social justice movements.
During her talk, Marshall encouraged students to embrace research as a dynamic, creative process, not just an academic task.
Research isn’t just about gathering facts. It’s about finding the heart of a story, understanding experiences different from your own, and building something meaningful from what you uncover. It’s about respect. Respect for truth, history, and the people whose stories we tell.
As a proud King’s alumna, Marshall’s message was clear: the investment she made in her education continues to yield remarkable returns, not just for her career but for readers around the world.
“I’m deeply grateful to King’s for giving me the tools to chase a dream I almost didn’t let myself believe in,” she said. “Sometimes, what seems like a small step—like learning how to navigate a library or critically analyze a historical document—becomes the foundation for something life-changing.”
