Get to know Kathryn Swegart, award-winning author of Catholic children’s books!
When I was 7 years old, my life changed forever. I was allowed to cross the street and walk to the local library. I loved to put my nose in a book and become lost in other worlds. Reading and writing brought me great enjoyment.
As a young mother, our family moved from Cape Cod to a small farm in Maine where we homeschooled our three children. We made frequent trips to the library and read books aloud. Although the kids are grown and Nubian goats no longer inhabit our barns, this city girl still enjoys life on the farm. Now I have time to fulfill my life-long dream to write children’s books.
In addition to writing children’s books with Catholic themes, I also write essays for Catholic Mom.com and Magnificat. My books have received the Catholic Writers Guild Seal of Approval and are bestsellers on Amazon. Lucia of Fatima was awarded first place by the Catholic Media Awards panel as Best Book for Young Readers.
I am a professed member of the Secular Franciscan order. My husband and I have been happily married for over 40 years and are the parents of three adult children and grandparents of eleven beautiful children.
10 Questions with Kathryn Swegart
1. When did you first want to be a writer?
Since the time I wrote a mystery story in grade school, I have always wanted to be a writer of children’s books. Later, I discovered my ability to research and write in college. As a young mother I kept a journal, writing about everyday events. No one ever read my musings. It was helpful for me to sort through my days and try to make sense of them. Now I’m writing Catholic children’s books.
2. What inspired you to start writing Catholic children’s books?
A neighbor loaned me a book on Eucharistic miracles. I was looking for a writing project and decided to write about Eucharistic miracles for kids. It evolved into a book. Much to my surprise, my Catholic children’s book Heavenly Hosts became a bestseller on Amazon.
3. Your books often focus on saints and heroic virtue. How do you choose which stories to tell?
I look for true stories packed with action and heroic virtue. I carefully choose my stories for these Catholic children’s books, looking for a variety of subjects. It is also important that I have plenty of material to research, thus giving the stories depth and detail.
4. What do you hope children and families take away from your books?
Since most of my Catholic children’s books are collections of short stories, I hope that parents and teachers will read the books aloud, thus sharing the Faith together. Catholic history is a treasure trove of inspiring figures, I love bringing the characters to life.
5. What’s the most surprising thing about being a writer?
To be able to write is truly a gift from God. I never imagined that so many families would buy my books.
6. Do you have a favorite saint or historical figure you’ve written about?
I enjoyed sharing the story of Donn Fendler. In 1939 he was lost on Mount Katahdin, surviving nine days alone on the mountain. He was Catholic and believed that his guardian angel was with him every step of the way. Toward the end, he even felt invisible hands lift him up.
7. What advice would you give a young person who wants to be a writer?
Writers are readers. Reading develops your inner editor, helping you to see how the writer made a character come alive and what made you want to keep turning the page. Keep a journal. Don’t expect a masterpiece to spring forth. It may not seem to be well written but helps develop your writing muscle. Like playing an instrument, it takes practice and discipline.
8. What advice would you give to parents who want to nurture their children’s faith through literature?
I am a big advocate of reading aloud to children. There are many excellent books on the subject that have great book lists.
9. Are you working on any new books or projects? What can readers look forward to?
I am working on Rescued II that includes stories about Mother Cabrini, the Titanic, and an incredible dog story.
10. Where can readers find your books, and how can they connect with you?
My books can be found on my website and on Amazon. If you’d like to be in touch, send an email.
5. What’s the most surprising thing about being a writer?
To be able to write Catholic children’s books is truly a gift from God. I never imagined that so many families would buy my books.
6. Do you have a favorite saint or historical figure you’ve written about?
I enjoyed sharing the story of Donn Fendler. In 1939 he was lost on Mount Katahdin, surviving nine days alone on the mountain. He was Catholic and believed that his guardian angel was with him every step of the way. Toward the end, he even felt invisible hands lift him up.
7. What advice would you give a young person who wants to be a writer?
Writers are readers. Reading develops your inner editor, helping you to see how the writer made a character come alive and what made you want to keep turning the page. Keep a journal. Don’t expect a masterpiece to spring forth. It may not seem to be well written but helps develop your writing muscle. Like playing an instrument, it takes practice and discipline.
8. What advice would you give to parents who want to nurture their children’s faith through literature?
I am a big advocate of reading aloud to children. There are many excellent books on the subject that have great book lists.
9. Are you working on any new books or projects? What can readers look forward to?
I am working on Rescued II that includes stories about Mother Cabrini, the Titanic, and an incredible dog story.
10. Where can readers find your books, and how can they connect with you?
Anyone looking for Catholic children’s books can find mine on my website and on Amazon.