written by Liz Smith

‘I THINK it's pretty outrageous. There is a fine line between satisfying the public's interest and selling your private life. At the end of the day you can only say that they needed the money."

That's Kate Winslet, expounding to the British press on the increasing profitable practice of celebs selling photos of their newborn babies, their weddings, etc., to the highest bidder. Winslet, who had a baby girl, Mia, last month, adds, "No matter how poor I was, my private life would always be the most important thing in the world."

Kate, who cleverly avoided Leonardo DiCaprio's fate post-"Titanic" by keeping a low profile and taking small indie roles, can be seen now opposite Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine and Geoffrey Rush in "Quills," the tale of the Marquis de Sade. The young actress prepared by reading some of de Sade's work: "It's embarrassingly vile - I was utterly outraged. I was so taken aback by this despicable writing but kind of amazed as well because the Marquis wasn't just a madman, but a troubled genius."

Winslet plans to take six months off to bond with baby Mia, and then she'll star and produce "Therese Raquin," based on Emile Zola's famous novel. Although the material is not nearly as unpalatable as de Sade's jottings, Therese is no nun. There'll be more torrid emotion in low bodices.