Kate was born in Wigan, and lived in more than a dozen places when she was growing up, including England, Scotland, and the Netherlands. She trained as a print journalist and then worked for the BBC as a reporter and Education Correspondent, before switching to behind the scenes producing on programmes including Newsround and Panorama. Her final 'proper' job involved coming up with TV programme ideas for the BBC whilst sitting on beanbags. She is a dab hand at writing on white boards.

Kate started writing at school with a four-part mystery set in Notre Dame in Paris but quickly switched to novels about contemporary life, love and friendship.  

'My books have been described as bittersweet which, coincidentally, is also how I like my chocolate - a treat, but not too sickly sweet. I've never been filthy rich or glamorous, so I write about people who are trying to live their dreams but keep coming up against the reality of paying the mortgage or choosing whether or not to have kids. I see the ridiculous in most situations, and that's reflected in my books. The best part of writing lighter fiction is giving people the endings they deserve…'

Now she's a full-time novelist and has published six books: Old School Ties, The Starter Marriage, Brown Owl's Guide to Life, The Self-Preservation Society, The Secret Shopper's Revenge and, new in October 2009, The Secret Shopper Unwrapped. When she's not writing books, she teaches creative writing and ideas generation to other writers and TV execs in the UK and China.

Favourite romantic novels: Wuthering Heights,  Bridget Jones' Diary

Favourite romantic movies: West Side Story, Brief Encounter

Favourite new romantic band: The Human League (not sure they were that romantic, but never mind!)

Kate's website is www.kate-harrison.com and features a guide for new writers. She blogs at http://chicklitworkinprogress.blogspot.com. With Lucy, she was also founder of the Novel Racers, a group of experienced and new writers racing each other to finish their latest books. Read about their adventures at http://novelracers.blogspot.com