Return to the Spotlight – Author Kate Field

Kate Field first appeared on my blog two years ago after she had won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon Award with her debut novel The Magic of Ramblings. You can read that interview here. Now, she is back to answer some more questions.

What’s been happening to you writing wise since you won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Joan Hessayon award in 2017?

It’s been a busy time! I’ve had three further novels published since my debut, The Magic of Ramblings, won the Joan Hessayon award, and I’ve also contributed a short story to an anthology, Miss Moonshine’s Emporium of Happy Endings published with some author friends.

My first three novels were published by Accent Press, and one of them, The Winter That Made Us, is also set at Ramblings as I couldn’t resist going back. Although it’s a standalone book, with a new leading couple, it was fun to revisit the familiar setting and to catch up with some favourite characters.

Last year I moved publisher and signed with Avon (an imprint of Harper Collins) for two more books. The Man I Fell in Love With is the first of those.

If you had to give advice to a new writer trying to get published what would it be?

 I think my main tip would be to keep an open mind about how to get published; there’s no ‘right’ way to go about it. In the past, the usual method might have been to find an agent who would then submit to traditional publishers, and that will still be the preferred route for many writers, but it isn’t the only one. I don’t have an agent and submitted directly to both my publishers. Many publishers now accept direct submissions, and even the larger companies have ‘open submission’ windows – look out for them on social media.

Self-publishing is another option to consider and there are many successful indie published writers, who enjoy having total control over the process and receiving all of the profits! So I’d advise a new writer to consider all the options and work out what would suit them best, without worrying that one route is better than another.

I’ve recently read and thoroughly enjoyed your novel The Man I Fell in Love With. If you had to cast the book for a film, who would play the lead roles?

I’m glad you enjoyed it! It was one of my favourite books to write. I always make up a Pinterest board for each novel, with pictures that inspire the characters. The two male leads were easy. Ethan was inspired by Rupert Penry Jones and he was in my mind through every scene – especially the one where Ethan wades out of the sea in his swimming shorts…! I found a picture of the actor Paul Bettany wearing tortoiseshell glasses and with fluffy hair, and it suited my image of Leo perfectly so he could play that part.

My female lead, Mary Black, is much harder to cast, partly because she seems so real to me that no one else can match her. I’ve toyed with various actresses, but my original idea was Caitriona Balfe from Outlander, so I will stick with her!

Where is your favourite place to write and why?

I write every first draft by hand, so I can be flexible where I do it. I have two favourite places at home. The first is in the kitchen, because there’s something about the hum of the white goods that helps me concentrate. My other favourite place is on the sofa in front of the log burner, although I often find that the cat then curls up on my knee and stops me writing. She mustn’t be a fan!

What can we look forward to from you next?

I have a couple more publications this year. I’m contributing a story to another anthology with my writing group, Authors on the Edge. This is a follow on to Miss Moonshine’s Emporium of Happy Endings, but this time the stories will have a Christmas theme. More details to follow – I’m still working on my story!

I also have a full-length novel coming out on 16^thSeptember, which is called A Dozen Second Chances. It’s the story of Eve, whose daughter leaves home and gives her a set of twelve ‘Be Kind to Yourself’ vouchers that she must complete every time she does something to treat herself. As she uses her vouchers, Eve’s life changes in ways that she never expected. There’s no question about the casting for my leading man in this book – it has to be Aidan Turner!

About Kate Field

Kate Field lives in Lancashire with her husband, daughter and cat. Her debut novel, The Magic of Ramblings, won the Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon Award for new writers.

Kate can be contacted on

Twitter: @katehaswords

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateFieldAuthor/

 

About The Man I Fell in Love With

Sometimes we find happiness where we least expect it…

After twenty years of contented marriage, no one is more surprised than Mary Black when her husband announces he’s leaving her… for another man.

For the sake of the children, Mary has no choice but to pick herself up and start again. She hosts family meals that include Leo and his new partner. She copes with the kids wanting to spend less time with her and more time with their ‘fun’ dads. But one thing she can’t quite ignore is Leo’s gorgeous brother, who has just come back to town…

After living a life of sliding doors and missed opportunities, can Mary finally put herself first and take a chance that could change everything?

Buying link: https://amzn.to/2DEIgGX

 

Thank you for appearing on my blog, Kate and answering my questions. I have read The Magic of Ramblings and The Man I Fell in Love With and thoroughly enjoyed both novels.

The Magic of Ramblings captivated me from the very first chapter and I lived the story alongside the characters rather than just reading about them. I always rate novels that can move me to tears and this one made me cry no less than three times. In fact, I sobbed pretty much all the way through the last chapter. No wonder Kate Field won the coveted Romantic Novelists’ Association Joan Hessayon Award with this book.

I rated The Man I Fell in Love With as a five star read. I loved the modern day life scenario, which rang so true with mothers making sacrifices for their children, relationships changing over time and the heroine having to rethink her way of being in the world. Kate has a lovely way of writing and at least one description of an awkward situation had me laughing out loud. Thoroughly recommended.

 

Thank you for visiting my blog – Morton S. Gray – Author. I hope you enjoyed this post. You can also find me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is available now as both an eBook and audio download – Amazon Kindle, Audio, Apple iBooks, Kobo and Choc Lit for other buying options.

The Truth Lies Buried is available now from all eBook platforms – Choc Lit, Amazon Kindle, Kobo, Apple iBooks. This will be available as a paperback and audiobook.

The Girl on the Beach published by Choc Lit is available as a paperback and from all eBook platforms – Amazon Kindle, Apple iBooks, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and Google Play.