Scarlett Bailey

Scarlett Bailey has loved writing stories since childhood. Before writing novels she worked as a waitress, cinema usherette and bookseller. Scarlett also writes novels under her real name Rowan Coleman. Currently she lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, five children and a very large collection of beautiful shoes.

1. To the readers of the website, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
   Hello, I’m Scarlett Bailey, and I and the not very secret alter ego, of Novelist, Rowan Coleman, although I am younger and prettier then she is, and I am a better disco dancer.
2. You write under the pseudonym of Scarlett Bailey. What is the difference in Scarlett’s and Rowan’s writing?
   Well, I write really fun, whimsical, romantic comedies, that have lots of charm and heart, and hot men and kissing. Rowan writes books that a little more thoughtful and serious, though there’s still humour and kissing.
3. What’s the best thing about being a Christmas writer?
   Being able to eat mince pies from July as research.
4. If you were starting your writing journey again, would you do anything differently?
   Nothing, honestly. I really mean that. You have to try and write, learn your craft, read a lot of books, have a life, think about the reasons you want to write (never do it for money or glory, there’s not much of that) take the ups with the down, the rough with the smooth, the stubble with the clean shaven.
5. What do you enjoy most about Christmas?
   Chocolate Oranges. And buying presents for other people, I like to try and get something that will make their eyes light up.
6. What book did you read that made you decide to become an author?
   I don’t think there was one book, I think there were hundreds, maybe thousands. But I suppose actually, when I read ‘High Fidelity’ by Nick Hornby, I thought, ‘Oh that’s the kind of writer I’d like to be.
7. What is the hardest part of the writing process?
   The middle bit, where it feels like walking through treacle.
8. If your latest book ‘Two Weddings And A Baby’ was adapted for screen, who do you imagine playing the roles of Tamsyn and Jed?
   Good question!!! I don’t know, actually…. what do the readers think?
9. What’s been the proudest moment of your writing career to date?
   Well, that Rowan Coleman’s latest book ‘The Memory Book’ has been selected for the Richard and Judy Book club Autumn selection, which was pretty, pretty special. She hasn’t shut up about it.
10. Who is your favourite literary hero/heroine?
    Jane Eyre, I love her.
11. Was there ever a book that left you disappointed?
    Many, but I’m too classy to name them here.
12. 12. And finally Scarlett, do you have any new projects coming up on the horizon?
    I am thinking about two more novels based around the Thorne Family, there are two more sisters that have stories yet to be told, brilliant Cordelia and wonderful Keira.

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