Kellie Coates Gilbert may have started in the courtroom, but it’s the stories she tells that make the strongest case for why she’s a USA Today bestselling author.
With a new heartwarming series set in the world of Kentucky thoroughbred racing, Kellie shares the books that shaped her, the authors who influenced her, and the experiences that continue to fuel her storytelling.
1.Your best virtue as an author.
I’ve always been a student of human nature and emotion. In my years as a legal investigator, I spent countless hours in courtrooms, witnessing people at their most vulnerable—watching how they respond under pressure, what truly matters to them, and how the tensions within families and relationships quietly unfold. Those moments stayed with me. They taught me that the stories that resonate most are the ones grounded in emotional truth. More than anything, I want my stories to make you feel something—and to stay with you long after you’ve closed the book.
2. Your most quirky author habit.
When the “movie” starts playing in my head, interruptions are strongly discouraged. I tend to get cranky (looking at my husband here *winks*)
3. Your favorite quality in a protagonist.
I love a character who’s resilient but still tender. Someone who’s been through something hard but hasn’t lost the ability to hope.
4. Your favorite quality in an antagonist.
I love antagonists who feel real—the kind who don’t think they’re wrong and might even have a point. Even more, I like seeing all sides of them on the page, including the good, because those contradictions are what make them truly interesting.
5. If you could ask any other author, past or present, a question who would it be and what would you ask?
I’d love to sit down with Kristin Hannah and ask how she knows exactly when to break your heart—and when to put it back together again. And I’d definitely want to ask Sidney Sheldon how he created such jaw-dropping twists. The Other Side of Midnight completely undid me. (Sidenote: I had just signed my first publishing contract when, on a whim, I reached out to Sidney Sheldon. He wrote back and was so very encouraging. Meant the world to me.)
6. When you aren’t writing, you are____
Running my publishing business, connecting with readers, and thinking about story from every possible angle. Truthfully, I’m almost always in story mode, even when traveling with my husband.
7. Your easiest book to write.
The ones where the characters show up fully formed and refuse to leave me alone. Those are magical—and rare. Example: A Woman of Fortune
8. Your hardest book to write.
The ones that push me emotionally. The stories that ask me to go deeper than I planned to. Example: Mother of Pearl
9. Your ideal writing place.
Somewhere beautiful—a cabin porch in the mountains, a deck looking over the ocean, or a busy lobby of a luxury hotel. All of these spaces fuel my creative side and make me feel completely immersed in the world I’m creating.
10. Your favorite childhood book.
Charlotte’s Web. That story stayed with me—it was one of the first times I understood just how powerful a book could be. And Where the Red Fern Grows as well. Both left a lasting impression, showing me how love, friendship, and community carry us through life’s hardest moments.
11. The book you’ve reread the most.
Here’s a polished, emotionally rich answer with that cinematic, marketing-style pull you’re after: One True Thing by Anna Quindlen. It’s a story that quietly unravels you—in the best way. At its core, it’s about a mother and daughter who don’t fully understand each other until life forces them to stand face-to-face with what truly matters. The family tensions, the shifting roles, the unspoken love—it all feels so real, so familiar. Every time I return to it, I’m reminded how complicated and beautiful those relationships can be, and how, in the end, love often reveals itself in ways we didn’t expect.
12. Your favorite hero from literature.
I’m drawn to the steady, dependable hero—the man who quietly stands firm and loves with depth and constancy. And equally, the woman who lives with authenticity and open-hearted generosity. Ava Briscoe in my Maui Island Series reflects this spirit—despite her pain, she chooses joy and passes that strength on to her children.
13. Your favorite villain from literature.
The charming ones. The ones who smile at you while quietly working their own agenda. Those are the ones that really get under your skin. Readers who feel the same are going to LOVE meeting Memphis Santopolo in my new Kentucky Silverleaf series. She is the epitome of this type of character.
14. The name of your autobiography.
Prone to Wander, Chained to Grace.
15. Your favorite comfort food.
Anything Southern and homemade—warm, familiar, and just a little indulgent. During my research trip for the Kentucky Silverleaf series, I had my first taste of Kentucky burgoo, a slow-simmered stew rich with layers of flavor and tradition, the kind of dish that feels like it’s been passed down through generations. And then there was my first mint julep—served ice-cold in a silver cup, with fresh mint and just the right touch of sweetness. Both felt less like food and drink and more like stepping into the culture I was writing about.
16. First thing you do when you finish writing a novel.
I take a deep breath and let it sink in…then, before long, I’m already thinking about the next story. (and I often go indulge in a massage!)
17. A secret talent you have.
I can spot a story idea almost anywhere. One little “what if” is usually all it takes. I am incredibly snoopy, which made me a great legal investigator….and an even better story-teller. I’m the person listening in on the conversation at the table next to me in a restaurant.
18. Where have you always wanted to travel?
My stories are known for taking readers on a reading vacation. I’ve taken my readers to a ski resort in Sun Valley (Sun Valley Series) to all the major cities of Texas (Texas Gold Collection) the Pacific Coast in Oregon (Pacific Bay Series) and to Hawaii (Maui Island series). I can’t wait for readers to join me in the glamorous world of thoroughbred horse racing in Kentucky. I invite everyone to grab a Derby hat and come along!
19. One tip for aspiring authors.
Write the story only you can tell—and don’t give up on it too soon. This is a long game.
20. Puppies or kittens?
Puppies. Always. Especially Yorkies—they’ve completely won me over. My Lennon is three pounds and completely owns my heart!
About Kellie Coates Gilbert:
USA Today Bestselling Author Kellie Coates Gilbert believes books should feel like both a vacation and a homecoming. Her novels invite you into the lives of women you’ll root for, cry with, and celebrate alongside. Whether you love small-town charm, sweeping settings that make you feel like you’re on a vacation, or heart-stirring family drama, you’ll find her stories feel like they were written just for you.
In addition to garnering thousands of five-star reviews, Kellie has been described by RT Book Reviews as a “deft, crisp storyteller.” Her books were featured as Barnes & Noble Top Shelf Picks and earned a coveted place on Library Journal’s Best Book List.
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