Kathryn was born in Leicestershire, England, and studied textile design at Loughborough College of Art and later at Kidderminster College of Art and Design where she specialised in carpet design and technology. After graduating, she spent a year in Vienna, Austria, before moving to Greece to work as carpet designer in Athens for six years. There followed another brief period in New Zealand before eventually settling in Melbourne, Australia.
Before turning to writing full-time, Kathryn ran her own textile design studio in Melbourne for over fifteen years, work which she enjoyed tremendously as it allowed her the luxury of travelling worldwide, often taking her off the beaten track and exploring other cultures. The Embroiderer is her first novel; a culmination of those wonderful years of design and travel, and especially of those glorious years in her youth living and working in Greece. It has since been followed by more novels, set in both Greece and Turkey.
What kind of books do you write?
My books are historical fiction based on real events. I have two eras of interest. The first is Greece/Turkey from the Greek War of Independence (1821) through WWI to WWII. The other area is WWII Europe, which so far has included several books set in France and one in Vienna, Austria.
Can you describe your writing why?
I have always loved history, particularly these periods which I came to know better because of living and working in the areas. I was a textile designer for many years and never thought I would end up becoming a writer, so it was a case of write what you know, but that’s only the beginning as there’s always research to do. I find writing very creative, and for me it’s a way of remembering the places and people I’ve been too, and also a way of honouring their history. In a way, writing is just as creative as being a designer and the thought process is similar.
Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most
A difficult one. This is the beginning of The Poseidon Network.
Cairo, June 1942
One never knows where fate will take us. Cairo taught me that. Expect the unexpected. Little did I realise when I left London that I would walk out of one nightmare into another. In Cairo, the incessant noise of London’s air-raids heralding the arrival of Goering’s Luftwaffe was replaced by the jingling cacophony of Egyptian street-life: the call of the Muezzin, the braying of donkeys, and the honking of a thousand horns from dilapidated vehicles, as tired and worn-out as the animals that sauntered through the streets at a leisurely pace. The city was an assault on the senses, a pungent mixture of incense, sweet-smelling sheesha, animal dung, and petrol fumes. Added to this was the ever-present musky odour of dust from the Western Desert – the smell of a long-buried civilisation.
Tell us about your latest project
The Song of the Partisans begins in Paris in 1944 but moves to Reims and the champagne region. My protagonist, Simone – alias, Martine Dumont – is sent to work with the Resistance and Maquis in the area. All she is told is that it is an important mission, sanctioned by the British and de Gaulle, and that it is extremely dangerous. Under the care of a Maquis leader, she excels as a saboteur and sniper, skills that will enable her to carry out her secret mission. Like many of my books, it’s an emotional roller-coaster with lots of twists and turns. Historical fiction that reads like a thriller.
What is your favourite cake?
Greek Bougatsa.
You can connect with Kathryn here:
Website: kathryngauci.com
Facebook Author Page: facebook.com/KGauciAuthor
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/~/e/B00OPW68SM
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathryn-gauci-409a638b
Twitter: @KathrynGauci
Instagram: instagram.com/kathryngauci
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Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.
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