Publisher, successful author and a Swiftie, Harriet Evans joins us from Bath to tell us about the origins of her literary life and how being a catastrophist has helped her tell the stories that have earned her awards and legions of loyal readers. Regaling us with stories from the heyday of publishing in the 90’s, Harriet talks candidly about her love of books, her total lack of snobbery when it comes to a good story and how it feels to have insights as both a publisher and a writer.
Describing herself as talismanic, and always taking pleasure in small things, Harriet was inspired by her glamorous American mother-in-law to write The Treasures, the first in the Seven Stones trilogy. It’s a sweeping, gripping tale of romance and secrets and starts with the main character’s daughter uncovering some hidden treasures, which is why Harriet is such a perfect podcast guest.
She brought some for her own treasures to show us, including a heavy gold ring that she describes as wearing a Barbara Hepworth sculpture on her finger, and doubles as a fidget spinner, as well as the beautiful Swiss watch she bought herself when she got her first book deal. It’s a reminder to her and to her young daughters that it’s important to be financially independent as a female, but also to remember to buy yourself treats.
Harriet tells us the emotional story behind the precious gold bird necklace that was secretly gifted to her by her scary boss after she published her first book. She also sports a Taylor Swift friendship bracelet and tells us why it annoys her that Taylor gets criticised when she’s so massively talented.
Obsessed with Golden Age of crime and Dorothy L. Sayers, Harriet’s second crime novel, Murder on The Royal Crescent is out at the end of October and is a perfect novel for Christmas.
Harriet says that her mantra is to walk towards the joy and to make sure to try to do things that make you happy.
","author_name":"Alice Cripps and Josie Lloyd"}