1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
I’ve been writing since grade school! At first, I was inspired by television—I thought, I can be funny too. One year, I won a storytelling contest, and that’s when I realized I loved writing stories, but not presenting them. I’ve been writing ever since, always choosing college and university programs that helped me hone my craft and taught me how to take a punch (figuratively speaking). I declared The Wise One my MFA thesis, and that became the first official book I published.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
This is a hard one to answer. I’ve always loved all things witchy and magical. I grew up a huge Harry Potter and Charmed fan! One day, I imagined a witch who didn’t understand who she was and felt disconnected from everyone around her. Then I saw her journeying through the British Isles to find her birth mother—and herself—while learning she’s the key to both saving the natural world, at the cost of billions of souls, and destroying it (I love a good moral dilemma). That gave me the perfect excuse to visit Ireland and Scotland and breathe as much life into the pages as possible, tying in its folklore and natural beauty. So, I guess it was really a culmination of many things…
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
My first ever reviewer put it so perfectly that at the time, it brought me to tears: “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, ARC reviewer.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
I’ve always loved the idea that magic can be found in the real world. There’s something timeless about the young adult journey—finding yourself, pushing past what you thought were your limits, and surprising yourself along the way. And honestly…who doesn’t love a good prophecy?
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
Even though I feel like I’ve already asked my protagonist, Mckenna, everything I need to, I’d still want to say: What on earth were you thinking, taking off with a stranger to Ireland? Sometimes even the author can’t fully explain her character’s wild choices!
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
I’m not much of a social media person, but Instagram has connected me with some truly wonderful readers and fellow authors. It’s become a place where I can share my world and meet others who love it too.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just-starting authors out there?
Savour the romantic phase of writing, when you’re falling in love with your story and everything feels possible. And when that honeymoon phase ends (because it always does), remember: it’s all about process over perfectionism. Keep going.
8) What does the future hold for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
The final instalment of The Scottish Scrolls trilogy is heading to my editor at the end of this month, with a release planned for 2025! After that…of course, there are more stories waiting. Writers never really stop imagining what comes next.
About the Author
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.
