Harte, Kelly E. 1949–

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Harte, Kelly E. 1949–

(Sheila Harris)

PERSONAL: Born December 20, 1949, in Newry, Ireland; daughter of Patrick and Margaret (Brace) Kelly; married Martin Harris, May 18, 1974 (divorced, 1995); children: Joanna, Christian. Ethnicity: "White European." Education: University of Leeds, M.A. Hobbies and other interests: Walking, swimming, reading, interior decorating.

ADDRESSES: Agent—Juliet Burton, Juliet Burton Literary Agency, 2 Clifford Ave., London W12 9DR, England. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Foley Hotel, Malvern, Worcestershire, England, receptionist, 1969–72; Salcombe Hotel, Salcombe, Devon, England, receptionist, 1972–74; Devonshire Hotel, Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire, England, sales manager, 1988–94; Devonshire Estate, North Yorkshire, tourism advisor, 1996–2000; writer, 2000–.

WRITINGS:

Taking Possession (novel), HarperCollins (New York, NY), 1998.

Guilty Feet (novel), Red Dress Ink (Buffalo, NY), 2003.

Spitting Feathers, Red Dress Ink (Buffalo, NY), 2004.

Author of short stories broadcast by British Broadcasting Corp., under pseudonym Sheila Harris.

WORK IN PROGRESS: A novel, Mr. Right Now; two television comedy scripts, "Visiting Rights" and "Swimming with Dolphins."

SIDELIGHTS: Kelly E. Harte told CA: "I was a very late starter. I liked the idea of writing but, not having a great education, I didn't imagine I'd be up to it. However, I tried a few short stories that were broadcast by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and I decided to try and take it further after divorcing my husband of twenty-three years. I did a master's degree in creative writing, which wasn't that helpful, as it turned out, but it gave me the time to find out what I was good at.

"The subjects I've chosen to write about in novel form have been inspired by my own life, even now that I am writing for a younger market.

"I've started working on a couple of television scripts, and having had some interest from the BBC and an independent production company, I am presently developing this side of my writing."