Lindsey Kelk
A bestselling author who turned a bold move to New York into a global publishing phenomenon with her relatable 'I Heart...' series.
Born 1980 (age 46)·English writer·Birthday: October 3·Generation X
Biography
Lindsey Kelk's writing career began not with a plan, but with a leap. Working as a children's book editor in London, she penned her first novel, 'I Heart New York', as a personal project while navigating a major life change. The manuscript, a fizzy, heartfelt story of a woman starting over in Manhattan, sparked a three-book deal and became an instant hit. Kelk's voice—sharp, funny, and deeply empathetic—resonated with readers worldwide, spawning a successful series and establishing her as a major force in commercial fiction. She has since built a formidable catalog of over twenty adult novels and a children's series, all while maintaining a direct, engaging connection with her audience through journalism and social media. Her work captures the anxieties and joys of modern life, particularly for women, with a warmth that feels like a conversation with a clever friend.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Lindsey was born in 1980, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Lindsey Was Born
The biggest hits of 1980
#1 Movie
The Empire Strikes Back
Best Picture
Ordinary People
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Lindsey's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1980Born
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1985Started school
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1993Became a teenager
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Could drive
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1998Could vote
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Turned 21
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2010Turned 30
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2020Turned 40
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 46 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Her debut novel, 'I Heart New York', launched a bestselling series that has been translated into multiple languages.
- Has published over 20 adult novels, maintaining a consistent presence on bestseller lists.
- Created the popular children's book series 'Cinders and Sparks', expanding her reach to younger readers.
Did You Know?
She wrote 'I Heart New York' in just six weeks while living in the city.
Before becoming an author, she was the digital publishing director for children's books at HarperCollins.
She is a co-host of the podcast 'They're So Dramatic!', which analyzes reality television.
“I think the best thing you can do is write the book you want to read.”
