Love,
Loss,
Hope
& Resilience

KATHRYN MATTINGLY

AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR 
Crafting Emotionally Powerful Stories

At Reader’s House, we are proud to celebrate authors whose work not only entertains but enriches the literary landscape. For this issue, it is our great pleasure to feature Kathryn Mattingly on our cover.

Mattingly represents the very best of contemporary literary fiction. As an award-winning novelist, educator, editor, and mentor, she has dedicated her life to the written word, inspiring readers and writers alike through her remarkable achievements and unwavering commitment to storytelling. Her novels are distinguished by their emotional depth, compelling characters, and thoughtful exploration of the relationships that shape our lives.

What sets Kathryn apart is her extraordinary ability to capture the complexities of the human experience with honesty, grace, and compassion. Whether exploring love, loss, resilience, or self-discovery, her stories resonate deeply with readers because they reflect universal truths. Her novels Benjamin, Journey, Olivia’s Ghost, The Tutor, Katya, and Finley’s Song showcase a writer whose understanding of character and emotion is both profound and memorable.

Beyond her success as an author, Kathryn has made significant contributions to the literary community through teaching, editing, and mentoring aspiring writers. Her passion for helping others develop their craft reflects a generosity of spirit that is evident throughout her career. Having studied under renowned bestselling authors and earned recognition for her own work, she continues to demonstrate that persistence, dedication, and artistic integrity remain the cornerstones of lasting success.

In our exclusive interview, Kathryn shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her novels, the influence of travel on her writing, and the lessons she has learned throughout her literary journey. Her reflections offer valuable wisdom for anyone who appreciates the transformative power of literature.

We are delighted to honor Kathryn Mattingly with this cover feature and invite our readers to discover the remarkable stories and enduring legacy of a writer whose work continues to touch hearts and inspire minds.

The Editor
Reader’s House Magazine

Reader’s House Magazine of London Interview with Kathryn Mattingly 

Your novels often explore deep emotions and complex relationships. What draws you to these themes, and how do you approach writing about them with such authenticity?

I have always enjoyed studying people and try to make what I learn about them come alive on the page. I’m drawn to movies that center on relationships and character driven novels, along with heartfelt memoirs that inspire and touch the human spirit. As a young child The Red Pony by John Steinbeck deeply affected me and caused a moment in which I realized the power of the written word. It can evoke deeply felt emotion and empathy for others, ultimately helping us to understand people we share this world with. Character driven movies and books influence not only the decisions we make but the people we become. 

Your travels cause many of your works to have a strong sense of place, from Napa Valley to Hawaii and Paris. How do you bring these locations to life for readers?

The settings in all of my books are places I have lived or traveled. Rather than researching a time and place and breathing life into it, such as with historical fiction, I prefer to bring to life environments I am intimately acquainted with. I can more easily imagine my characters in places I have been, allowing them to feel and see and experience what I have felt and seen and experienced while there. And quite frankly I don’t enjoy research, but I love that some writers do, because historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. 

As both a writer and an editor, how has your experience working with other authors shaped your own writing style and storytelling techniques?

I limit my editing services to writers whose work I believe in and who are writing stories I enjoy. That said, I’ve never had a client influence my writing, other than helping me understand what doesn’t work and how to correct that within the story. There are many authors whom I admire. Some of those authors include Donna Tart (The Goldfinch), Joyce Maynard (Labor Day), Ellen Feldman (Paris Never Leaves You), and Allegra Goodman (Isola). These books masterfully pen depth of character and page turning plots. They cause one to ponder their meaning long after turning the last page. I aspire to write like that.

Finley’s Song introduces elements of mystery, romance, and suspense. How do you blend different genres while maintaining a cohesive narrative?

There is a little of each in all my novels, and a touch of fantasy in a couple of them. The fantasy aspect can usually be considered coincidence, depending on how the reader cares to interpret the story. For me, blending genres is not difficult. Imagination has always been my strong suit. Being grounded in reality is sometimes the bigger challenge that I face. As a young child my favorite books to read over and over again were Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (1865) and Through the Looking Glass (1871). I loved the whimsical aspect of those creations. That grew into a love of characters in general and books like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and other similar classics. 

You’ve studied under notable authors like Terry Brooks and Elizabeth George. What’s the most valuable lesson you learned from them that influenced your writing career? 

For several years, before my first novel was published, I attended the Maui Writers retreat where Terry Brooks, Elizabeth George, and other bestselling authors taught. One takeaway from those retreats was the knowledge that every writer follows his own unique path toward publishing success. It was impressed upon us that when opportunity knocks, you had better be ready. Finish and polish your work and get yourself out there in the world to meet anyone in the industry that might help you reach your goals. I learned that most successful writers could wallpaper a room with their rejection notices before hitting the big time. I also learned that every author at those retreats had a different philosophy about how to write. The one thing they all agreed on is that whether or not anyone wants to turn the page is what matters most.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are looking to refine their craft and build a lasting career in writing?

My first writing mentor, Elizabeth Engstrom (Lizzie Borden) would frequently be heard saying persistence is the key whenever asked about how to get published. No truer words were ever spoken. Ms. Engstrom led a writers workshop every October on the Oregon coast through the local college. We stayed in cabins and wrote stories with dark themes, which we read aloud the last night by candlelight in the old boat house. Four of my stories from those retreats won writing contests and were the inspiration for a couple of my novels. If I hadn’t attended that retreat I doubt I’d have written short stories, let alone award winning stories that inspired a couple of my books. I would encourage new writers to attend retreats and workshops. Most importantly, always remember that persistence is not just the key, but the difference between being a published author and a hobby writer.