World Book Day: Tuscany-based author ‘Carrick-born and proud’

“I’ve never forgotten where I came from and recall those first 13 years of my life more distinctly than anything else since,” she says.

“I’m now often taken for an Englishwoman but I invariably correct this,” says Katherine, who is better known as Katie Hutton, authoress of The Gypsy Bride (June 2020), with The Gypsy’s Daughter due to be published in June 2021, both with Bonnier Zaffre.

Another book, as Katherine Mezzacappa - Giulia of the Albizzi – is to be published next year.

Katherine says “I just love going into different worlds as a historical novelist, exploring in particular themes of love and culture clash”.

“I’d always wanted to write but started seriously in my forties when a friend badgered me to join her on a part-time creative writing course,”

“I write every day, 1,000 words minimum. I have a job but can set my hours, which helps.”

These are challenging times: “I’ve had to postpone some projects because I can’t travel. Not being able to engage directly with readers with book-signings and talks is hard. There’s only so much can be done on Zoom,” she says.

Her advice for would-be authors is read well and write every day; “even if you think what you’re writing isn’t very good. You’ve something to revise the next day. You cannot revise a blank page”.

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