Katrina Tortorici Anglehart is an award-winning author from Montreal, with a multilingual prowess in English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”. A dedicated academic, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, a graduate certificate in Scriptwriting, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.

Inspired by the wizarding world, the land of Narnia, and parallel planes, she penned The Wise One, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever-present magic. Her exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced her debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.

K.T. Anglehart is a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to her late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind her imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When she’s not writing or diving into magical reads, she revels in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside her high school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. They currently live in Toronto with their three pets: Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and their whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.

 

 

LitPick Interview

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m an award-wining author, born and bred in Montreal. I've dabbled in a few languages—English, French, Italian, and "Spanglish". With a background in Journalism and Creative Writing, including a Master of Fine Arts, I'm all about crafting stories that resonate.

My writing is a blend of everyday magic and wanderlust. My debut YA urban fantasy series, The Scottish Scrolls, draws inspiration from the rich folklore of Ireland and Scotland—it's where my imagination runs wild. 

Beyond the writing desk, I'm just a regular gal with a soft spot for bunnies. Magic, my late Netherland Dwarf, is the inspiration behind my imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When I'm not lost in a book or tapping away on my keyboard, you'll find me hiking, exploring vintage shops, or enjoying a Netflix binge with my husband Andy. We live in Ontario with Nessie, our mysterious rescue dog, and our whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.

 

Are you a multi-genre author or a single-genre author?  How did you decide what types of book you would write?

At the moment, I write urban fantasy. I was inspired by the rich folklore and landscapes of Ireland and Scotland, which gave rise to my young adult witchy urban fantasy series. But I wouldn't pigeonhole myself as a single-genre author—I may gradually shift towards new adult magical realism for my upcoming books. I also love historical fiction, so who knows where that will lead!

 

When did you start writing?  Did an event or person prompt you to take that leap?

I started writing stories in elementary school, after I won a storytelling contest in the fourth grade. That's when I discovered my passion for entertaining people!

 

How / where do you find the plots you write about?

It’s hard to say…if you grew up reading books and watching shows about magic (shout-out to my favourite TV show Charmed), your mind tends to conjure up these stories almost spontaneously. I might be engaged in something completely unrelated to writing when suddenly a plot element or character springs to mind. I make sure to heed those divine nudges as best as I can.

 

Mark Twain said “Write what you know.”  Tell us about your writing process. Are you a plotter or a panster?  Do you plot, plan, and conduct hours of research; or, do you just sit down and write whatever comes to mind based on your personal history and knowledge?

I do spend quite a bit of time conducting research because I strive to stay authentic to the cultures and folklore I'm incorporating into my writing. As for plotting, I typically start with the broader strokes—I know how the story will begin and end, and then I loosely outline key points for the rest. Essentially, my outline is flexible. I prefer to channel my inner Stephen King and allow my characters to lead the way. More often than not, though, they're quite vocal…making it hard for me to ignore their incessant nagging.

 

Tell us your latest news

The second book of The Scottish Scrolls was released this November, and I’m currently immersed in writing the third installment! Additionally, I've been invited to speak at Book Fest Spring 2024. You can catch the recording of my session on their YouTube channel.

 

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I often turn to my very first ever reviewer's words when I'm asked this question because she truly captured the essence: “Don’t be a bully, love is love, protect our beautiful planet, accept your faults, family comes first and love your friends unconditionally.” –Sarah Bell

 

How much of the book is realistic?

The books take place in real places across Ireland and Scotland (where I’ve travelled to), and even briefly in the Isle of Man. As for the rest, it largely depends on your beliefs! If you subscribe to the existence of wandering ghosts and faeries, then the magic in The Scottish Scrolls universe might feel quite tangible to you. Some of the magic is rooted in Celtic folklore, while other elements draw from New Age concepts, like accessing parallel planes and harnessing magic from nature.

 

What books have influenced your life the most? 

It may sound like a cliché, but the Harry Potter series. Like countless others, those books they opened a whole new world I yearned to be part of, while also weaving in lessons in love, friendship, and the power of found family. They're likely the driving force behind why I write about magic.

 

Do you have a mentor that helped or encouraged you to follow your dream of writing?

I've been fortunate to have many. Firstly, my Irish-Canadian high school teacher, Mr. O’Neil, who made English my favourite class. Then there's my university professor, Laura Dunbar, who recognized my passion and talent for storytelling. And of course, my best friends, husband, and especially my mom, who continually insisted that my stories were worth telling.

 

What are your current projects?

I'm currently immersed in crafting Book 3 of The Scottish Scrolls, and I'm also exploring the creation of a TV pilot and pitch bible, which I'm excited to shop around.

 

Can you share a sample of your current work with us?

The Twin Flame, Book II of The Scottish Scrolls, Chapter V: The Cailleach

The old woman leaned in close, near enough for Mckenna to see her reflection in her glistening black eye. It was like staring into the abyss on a New Moon night. “We all have darkness within us.” The words sent goosebumps up Mckenna’s arms and legs. “We’re neither born with it, nor is it thrust upon us. We tip the scales. We forge our own path.” 

“Funny, I could swear some people are born evil.” She thought of Nissa’s father, Simon Fage; of the High Priestess; and of herself . . . prophesized to cause the death of billions of souls. A reincarnation of the maleficent Alice Kyteler. 

“No one is born inherently good or evil, lassie. We bide in duality—we possess both shadow and light. Without shadow, finding the light would be that much more challenging, aye?” 

“I’m not sure what you mean.” 

“Balance, Wise One. Balance.” Mckenna gasped. How did she know she was a Wise One? “Who are you?” 

“Just an old crone,” she said with a grin and began to walk towards the water, as still as the night itself. “I must go now. Winter is near.” 

“Careful, you’ll—” 

The old woman moved with an otherworldly grace, her steps defying nature as she glided effortlessly above the water’s surface. Slowly, she turned to face Mckenna. The wrinkles around her eyes, nose, and chin tightened, and her bluish skin brightened to a coconut white; from root to tips, her once snowy hair glistened into a brilliant blonde, and her single black eye split into two emerald ones, as vibrant as the hills of Ireland.

 

Pick one of your characters and share some of their backstory that didn’t make it into the novel.

Originally, I wrote Andre, one of Mckenna’s dads, as a Montrealer who relocated to Boston to pursue a career in law. In The Wise One, I only revealed that he worked as an immigration lawyer, which is how he crossed paths with Seán, Mckenna’s biological father.

 

Do you have any advice for other writers?

I don’t necessarily believe you should only write what you know. Instead, write about what you're curious about. Personally, I find inspiration in exploring topics I'm not familiar with, because once I delve into them, that's where stories begin to take shape.

 

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

If I can be cheesy for a moment? I want readers to embrace the journey, allowing the magic to weave its spell around them. I hope the essence of that experience shines through in every page.

 

Is there one person past or present you would like to meet and why?

C.S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia. The opportunity to bask in his depth and wisdom firsthand would be extraordinary. And kind of badass.

 

What do you want written on your headstone and why?

"Life is too important to be taken seriously." –Oscar Wilde

 

Other than writing do you have any hobbies?

My husband, Andy, and I love hiking with our dog, Nessie. Lately, I've been finding joy in painting, and I have a knack for refurbishing unique pieces whenever I stumble upon a hidden gem. I'm also passionate about interior decorating—I’d like to think my home aesthetic is delightfully eclectic!

 

Can you share something personal with your readers?  Do you have any holiday traditions?  What kind of music do you enjoy?  What kind of movies do you prefer?  Do you have a favorite author?

People are always surprised to hear this about me: I love 90s and early 2000s punk rock. I grew up listening to Blink-182, Sum 41, Green Day, Lincoln Park—you name it.

 

If money was no issue would you prefer a cozy beach bungalow or a rustic cabin overlooking a mountain lake?

The latter, always. That’s why I’ve been to Scotland three times!

 

One final question...Do you have a blog/website? If so, what is it?  Do you have a social media platform where your fans can go to interact with you and follow your progress?

IG: https://www.instagram.com/kt_anglehart/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ktanglehart

Website: www.ktanglehart.com > Subscribe to my newsletter for access to giveaways, exclusive material, magical content, and other bookish goodies!