Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to K.T. Anglehart. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
K.T., thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
In the seventh grade, rumours swirled about Mr. O’Neil’s famous “Leprechaun Story.”
It was controversial, unbelievable. All morning, our class buzzed with excitement, much to our homeroom teacher’s annoyance. English was next, right before lunch, and we. Couldn’t. Wait.
Entering class, Mr. O’Neil seemed unusually cheerful. As a teacher, he was fair but firm; rowdiness was not tolerated. That day, we aimed to please.
“When I was just a lad living in Ireland,” he began, and we were hooked. Because Ireland was a distant realm of emerald hills, funny accents, and faery folklore. We were spellbound as Mr. O’Neil depicted his childhood home with longing. His nostalgic narration instantly transported us.
Which is what made us believe him even more as the story deepened. Suddenly, we found ourselves following him through a hidden tunnel he and his friend had stumbled upon one day as they played in the fields, like they did every day after school. Young John O’Neil heard the distinct sound of small, mischievous voices as he crawled through…
“And as I reached out—” Mr. O’Neil said, then paused abruptly as the bell rang. It was lunchtime.
We protested. We wanted closure. What happened?
But Mr. O’Neil’s knowing smile confirmed what I’d suspected all along: There was no ending. It was left to our imagination, challenging us to believe.
My world opened up after that.
His story inspired a book I wrote 15 years later: It’s called The Wise One. I’d always been captivated by shows like Charmed and books like Inkheart, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Harry Potter—I wanted more than anything to receive a Hogwarts acceptance letter. And I’ve known since age 13, thanks to Mr. O’Neil, that I wanted to visit Ireland. Of course, watching the Harry Potter films pinpointed Scotland as a must-visit destination for me. The Wise One’s magic unfolds amidst the folklore of Ireland, while its sequel, The Twin Flame, transports readers to Scotland, a place I’ve now travelled to three times.
There’s a point to this, I swear. I firmly believe that by pursuing our curiosities and excitements, we can find our path to success and fulfillment as authors. In a world inundated with ads and social media, where comparison is inevitable and incessant, we often find ourselves questioning the value of our own creations. We scrutinize our BookTok and Bookstagram accounts against those of other authors, wondering if our work is worthy of attention or if we should conform to trends…and simply churn out vampire and faery smut (WHICH I’M NOT HATING ON—DON’T CANCEL ME).
As kids, our minds are unburdened by the complexities of adulthood. We gravitate towards things that fire up our imagination and bring us joy. Whether it was the thrill of exploring imaginary worlds in books or the wonder of discovering new places, I believe our passions as kids shape the core of who we are. Some fade away with time, while others etch themselves into our very being, becoming parts of our identity.
However, as we transition into adulthood, self-doubt creeps in, along with tales of inadequacy and fear of failure. Imposter syndrome casts a shadow over our accomplishments, making us question if we truly belong in the spaces we’ve worked so hard to inhabit.
My conclusion? I say screw it. I say amidst these trials, hold on as tight as you can to the essence of who you are. Reconnect with the passions and interests that once fueled your youthful spirit. Because I promise, there’s a story there.
K.T., before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am an author from Montreal and a speaker of 3.5 languages (English, French, Italian, and “Spanglish”). A dedicated academic, I hold 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, I penned The Wise One, an international award winner for paranormal fiction, inviting readers to connect with nature and its ever-present magic. My exploration of the landscapes and folklore of Ireland and Scotland greatly influenced my debut YA urban fantasy, marking the inception of The Scottish Scrolls series.
I like to say my writing is a blend of mysticism and wanderlust! My books weave in witchcraft, folklore, history, and breathtaking scenery. The Wise One began as a TV script during my MFA, but I couldn’t bear to leave it sitting on my computer or in an agent’s slush pile, so I adapted it into a book, designated it my thesis project, and then decided self-publishing was the right path for me.
I am a passionate advocate for bunnies, thanks to my late Netherland Dwarf, Magic—the inspiration behind my imprint, The Magic Dwarf Press. When I’m not writing or diving into magical reads, I revel in hiking, antiquing, and Netflix binges alongside my high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, Andy. We currently live in Ontario with our three pets: Nessie, a mysterious rescue dog from Puerto Rico, and our whimsical bunnies, Onyx and Stirling.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
Self-doubt is half the battle. It’s a terrible, stupid thing, but creatives are always questioning their skills and value. It’s hard to explain this to “normals.” The fact that we don’t stop, despite grappling with imposter syndrome, constantly comparing ourselves to others, and striving to stand out in crowded fields, shows our unwavering commitment to our craft. And yes, once in a while, we want a little praise for it.
Let me be clear: we don’t enjoy suffering. We continue because we’ll die if we don’t.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
There was a period when I dedicated myself fully to my career in content marketing, and it drained me. The industry is unforgiving—not just fast-paced, but with relentless deadlines that reduce you to feeling like a machine. I hated writing during that phase. I grew weary of it and felt that my true calling wasn’t making the impact I wanted. Instead of conveying messages that mattered to me—like stories about the environment, compassion, self-discovery, and our boundless human potential—I found myself promoting cosmetic spas and already-filthy-rich doctors.
Those stories are what I write now.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ktanglehart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kt_anglehart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ktanglehart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-tortorici-24657978/
- Twitter: https://x.com/kt_anglehart
- Other: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@kt_anglehart
Ultimate Guide to Writing Magical Realism/Fantasy/Paranormal Fiction: https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1736698814/fantasy-writing-planner-ultimate-guide
