Details regarding Kate Novak's exact birthdate and place are difficult to come by. Assuming her career began in the late 1980s, it can be assumed she was likely born in the 1950s or 1960s. Information about her specific childhood and early education remains limited, but it's a period that undoubtedly influenced her love for reading and storytelling.

The specifics of her college education are unavailable. However, an education in English literature, creative writing, or a related field would have provided a foundation for her career as a fantasy author. This is a crucial period where she would have honed her writing skills and encountered influential works of literature.