Get to know Kate
Who is Kate Somerset? She’s the pen name I created to tell my true-life dating stories of living in New York City. Why did I write under a “nom de plume”? To separate my work brand and nonprofit consulting life from my personal life. How did I select the name ‘Kate Somerset’? Kathryn is my middle name, and my New York City apartment building is the Somerset.
Writing under a pen name was exciting! Building a secret identify for myself was lots of fun – creating an avatar, developing content for social media accounts, and writing dating advice columns in Kate’s name. But who was I kidding?! As more and more people read and enjoyed the book, it was inevitable that I would be discovered as Ann Louden.
My story and Kate’s are the same – when my 24-year marriage in Texas came to an end, I picked up stakes and moved to New York City. That move was not only the scariest decision I’ve ever made, it was also the best!
It stretched me, taught me to trust myself, and gave me the confidence to live, work, and date in the biggest and most challenging city in the country. With every experience, I learned there are fantastic surprises waiting to happen if you open your mind and heart to the possibilities. Reinvention is only possible through risk-taking.
Now the world knows I am both Ann — an advocate for higher education, the arts and social services; cancer survivor; proud mom through the gift of adoption; and, an active volunteer on charitable boards — and Kate — the relationship builder with a deep interest in others and a sense of adventure in life.
I am proud that my book is a “how to guide on becoming a connector” told through funny and vulnerable storytelling. Its connection theme is one of my core values.
How the book got its name
After I finished writing the true stories of 15 dating experiences in New York City, I needed a catchy book title. What to call it? Then I remembered that my smart, beautiful, sassy then teenage daughter had once said the unthinkable to me!
She called me out on being "too everything": consumed by work, not having a life, and not aware I could find someone to love me "before I got too old". Then she tossed off the line out which became the title of the book. It made me laugh, and I hope it does you too!
Here are five other books I recommend you consider on how to build lifelong connection:
Why you should read the book
I wrote this book to motivate you to take a chance on yourself. It thrills me when I hear from readers who relate to Kate and the book's dating experiences of love, loss, adventure, and reinvention.
Yes, I hope my true stories entertain you. And I also hope they inspire you.
I believe that with the right mindset, anyone can be Kate Somerset. No matter how tentative you feel about dating (again), having an attitude of abundance will give you courage. Believing in possibilities releases the fear and gives you permission to be yourself.
My daughter knew that before I did. And now I do too.
