Crafting a novel is one thing, but author Kate Solly loves crafting ‘crafty’ novels – including her latest title, The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-up. Kate shares her journey from casual writing in her family group chats to getting her first publishing contract, as well as how she manages to stay accountable and fit writing in while bringing up six kids!
00:00 Introduction 05:37 Nat Newman’s writing tip: overcoming ‘the doldrums’ 10:28 WIN! The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan 12:52 Word of the week: ‘ravel’ 14:11 Writer in residence: Kate Solly 15:34 Getting started in writing 17:11 How she kept accountable 20:04 Kate’s inspiration for her first book 22:30 Writing the next book 26:14 Pre-kids career and charity work 28:40 Getting the first novel published 34:29 The second novel: process and challenges 35:30 Balancing writing with family life 42:15 Editing and future plans 45:25 Building an author platform 47:42 Final thoughts
Kate Solly writes funny, feel-good fiction with an eye for the profound within the domestic. Her latest novel, The Paradise Heights Craft Store Stitch-Up is a deliciously warm and witty cosy crime adventure with a young mum protagonist. Her first novel, Tuesday Evenings with the Copeton Craft Resistance, is a hilarious and heartwarming read about community, bigotry and the power of grassroots craftivism. Kate is married and has six children. When she’s not writing, she spends her days saying ‘put that stick down’ in a firm voice and divesting her kitchen table of its cemented weetbix glaze.
