When I went to New York last year I had the pleasure of being introduced to top literary lass Lindsey Kelk.

At the time Lindsey was in the midst of phenomenal success with her debut fiction book ‘I heart New York’ and we may well have indulged in a few too many vodkas with our friend Rachael to celebrate.

When a week later I returned to Old Blighty pining for the Big Apple I quickly purchased Lindsey’s book which had the desired effect of propelling me back to NY through the eyes of her haphazard heroine Angela. It was funny, it was fab, go buy it here.

The good news is that Super-Lindz can seemingly churn out books faster than you can say: “I heart reading them…” ‘I heart Hollywood’ came out a few weeks ago revealing Angela’s hapless antics in La-la land and Lindsey’s already completed ‘I heart Paris’ which is out in July. Wow.

And guess what? She even manages to fit in time for interviews with awestruck fellow authors too. Here’s what she had to say…

Hi Lindsey congrats on the release of ‘I heart Hollywood’ how’s the experience been for you?

Well, thanks! It’s been fantastic. Slightly weird as I work in publishing and am surrounded by books all day but they’re not mine…

Stephenie Meyer claims her inspiration for Twilight came in a dream. How were you inspired to create Angela’s story?

God bless Stephenie Meyer. I wish I could say the same but really, Angela was born out of an ‘anywhere but here’ exercise. My life was criminally dull and I’d just got back from a trip to NYC and decided to write a fantasy to cheer myself up. New York + hot boys + slightly stupid girl = dream come true.

How easy was it to get a book deal?

It wasn’t easy at all! I had to jump through all the regular hoops, send out manuscripts to agents, get rejected, send out manuscripts to publishers, get rejected. Eventually I found a publisher who saw the same thing in the story that I did and wanted to publish it. I’d say it’s 75% perseverance, 25% luck.

How have you found writing each book? Does it get easier?

The actual writing gets easier the more you do it but the more books I write, the more I start to worry that people won’t like them. It’s weird, any other job, the longer you do it and the more successful you are, the better you feel - with writing, I’m pretty sure the longer you’re in the game, the more neurotic you become. Unless you’re Stephenie Meyer and your plots come to you in a dream…

Where do you write?
Mostly in my apartment, on the sofa, pretending not to watch the telly. Usually it’s late at night unless it’s deadline time and then it’s 24 hours a day.

Who are your favourite authors?

Perversely for a chick lit author, Bret Easton Ellis, Margaret Atwood and Donna Tartt. And Meg Cabot. Reading her books is like (and I mean this in the best possible way because I feel like my books are the same) turning my brain off. I’m just happy for the duration. I’m BEYOND excited about Bret Easton Ellis’ new novel later this year. BEYOND.

Any advice for budding writers?

I don’t have anything revolutionary to say, just write. And write and write and write and write. And when you’re brave enough, show someone. It can be a friend who will be kind but just let someone read it. Then start sending it to agents. And then write some more. And try to have a dream about an eternally teenaged vampire with epic Mormon agenda subtext.

Are you as make-up and clothes mad as Angela?

Um, yes? That’s not something to be proud of, is it? I left my Nars Orgasm blusher and favourite blusher brush at my friend’s house on Saturday night and I’m actually starting to get the shakes thinking about it. And I’ve lived in New York for exactly six months and already had two closet clear outs. For shame.

What are your favourite shops in the UK and USA?

I’m actually visiting London this weekend but only have about three hours to shop so I’ve had to plan my route and it basically goes: Primark, M&S, TopShop, Office, Beyond Retro. You really take M&S for granted until it’s not there anymore… mostly for Percy Pigs but also tights. American tights are SO expensive.
Over in Noo Yoik, I buy a lot of vintage at Beacon’s Closet near my apartment, Pinkyotto and Pema in Brooklyn are great,  but Urban Outfitters and Bloomies are always on my list if I need something particular. I love Victoria’s Secret too, their undies fit me perfectly.
I buy a lot of clothes off eBay on both sides of the Atlantic and there’s this amazing Etsy shop called I’m Your Present that does really cute little dresses. I’ve got quite a lot of bits off there.

Angela seems to like her indie boys, is it the same for you?

Cough. Yes. Next?

You’re living in New York now, how does dating in NY compare to back in the UK?

For me at least, it’s COMPLETELY different. I was in a long-term relationship before I moved out here and had only been single for about a year. Luckily, I managed to get completely effed over by a mean boy in that year, so I had some experience of getting my heart broken - as far as I can tell, if you’re going to date in New York, you need to be prepared for that. Basically, it is exactly like you see on TV. Everyone dates everyone, no one is ‘exclusive’, everyone wants to date you except the boy you want to date and you never know where you stand. Brilliant. It’s fun though, I won’t lie.

Does your British accent help?

Yes. Yes it does. Next.

In ‘I heart Hollywood’ Angela is wooed by a famous film star. If you could bag a Hollywood hunk who would you pick?

Ooh… That’s a tricky one. I was going to say Johnny Depp but he’s officially a recluse now, isn’t it? And as much as my first thought is ‘Well why would you want to let Johnny Depp out the house?’ I think eventually you might want to go to the pictures or something, so um, maybe Adrian Grenier? Or, while we’re talking about Twilight (which I do, endlessly) I wouldn’t mind finding out if R.Pattz is really as stinky as everyone says he is.

You are a bit of a karaoke fiend. What’s your all time fav song to warble?

Too. Many. Songs. To. Choose. From… my most famous numbers would have to be Hungry Like the Wolf, Because the Night or I Touch Myself. Well, those three and My Humps which my friend and I performed to half the East Village the other week. It was in a karaoke bar, we’re not complete exhibitionists.

I Heart Hollywood is out right now! Click here to buy it and help fund Lindsey’s make-up habit