Katie Fforde is a best-selling author who has been writing for nearly 25 years. In that time, Katie has had an astonishing 26 books published, with another set to come out in February this year.

“I just work hard!” said Katie, “I get ideas from almost anywhere – overheard conversations, magazines, job advertisements. There are plenty of ideas out there in the ether.

“Once I have the idea and the characters worked out it’s like a marathon, just put one foot in front of the other and take it step by step.”

Katie has written her novels on a whole range of subjects, from wedding planners and interior designers to cleaners and artists, and she is always keen to try out new occupations in her search for the next story.

She continued: “My favourite part of writing is the research.

“I worked in an auction house as part of my research for ‘Flora’s Lot’ and that would be my dream job if I wasn’t writing.”

However, a career in writing hadn’t always been guaranteed.

“I believe writers are born not made,” said Katie, whose sister Jane Gordon-Cumming is also a published author. “I was very dyslexic and had bad handwriting, so I never thought I’d be able to do it.

“But even when I was very happy with a lovely husband, kids, dogs, I think it was writing that was the final piece that made me truly happy.”

Originally from Wimbledon near London, Katie has now lived in the Cotswolds for close to thirty years, and now considers herself a Gloucestershire local.

She said: “I’ve never lived anywhere as long I’ve lived here now.

“It’s such a great place. I love the scenery, the people, my family are all close by and I’ve got so many friends in the area.

“I’m part of a choir in the area called the ‘Thames Head Singers’, which I love. I’m not particularly musically talented but I love singing with others, it’s challenging yet relaxing and a nice break from work.”

Family is clearly a key part of Katie’s life and last year, alongside her daughter Briony and daughter-in-law Anastasia, Katie brought out her own homeware range – Katie Fforde Designs.

“I didn’t realise how difficult it would be,” said Katie on the logistics behind the venture. “We had the idea of creating mugs and tea towels to make your kitchen really lovely.

“I really wanted them to be reasonably priced, and made in Britain, and we’ve succeeded in that which is very exciting.”

On the writing front, Katie’s next novel ‘A Rose Petal Summer’, is due for release in February, and the process has already begun on next year’s release.

She added: “The writing takes about six to eight months, and then there’s editing and lots of other processes to go through.

“A Rose Petal Summer’ is about a perfume maker, and I’ll be starting the new one soon, which is about a blanket maker!”

For more information on Katie’s books, blog and homeware range visit www.katiefforde.com