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 literary 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 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 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 timely 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 to read. 

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.

Fall is here along with pumpkins on the porch. It’s a perfect time to curl up with a good book and read by the fire. Finley’s Song was published at the start of fall. It recently received a BookFest and Literary Titan award along with this lovely review, below, by the Literary Titan Editor In Chief, Thomas Anderson. I feel so honored! All this recognition for my new release has intensified my love of fall. 🙂

Literary Titan Book Review

From the first page, Finley’s Song drew me into a story that mixes music, grief, and the stubborn hope that follows loss. At its heart, the book tells the story of Finley, a pianist whose husband dies in a sudden accident, leaving her to raise their son, Max, while stumbling through her own guilt and despair. The novel moves between their shared silence at home, their escape to Paris, and the healing they cautiously piece together through new connections, old memories, and the enduring pull of music. I liked how much this is not just Finley’s story but Max’s too, a portrait of a mother and son mourning in parallel yet trying to keep each other afloat.

The writing had me hooked and sometimes unsettled in the best way. Kathryn Mattingly paints grief with raw strokes, never dressing it up, never trying to make it neat. Some passages felt like a gut punch, especially when Finley blames herself for Simon’s death. The guilt is heavy, almost suffocating, and I could feel the weight of it. But then there are these glimmers, moments with Max by the river, or Finley staring at the Eiffel Tower, that break through like sunlight. I found myself both aching and rooting for them, wanting them to reach those fragile pockets of beauty again. The language isn’t flowery for the sake of it. It’s direct yet tender, and it left me pausing more than once just to sit with the feeling it stirred.

Sometimes Finley’s voice frustrated me. Her self-blame circles back so often that I caught myself whispering “let yourself breathe.” Yet, that honesty made her real. People stuck in grief do repeat themselves, and the author didn’t shy away from that truth. I also found Max’s perspective refreshing and painfully accurate. His teenage awkwardness, his longing for his father, his quiet way of observing the world, they rang true. If anything, his sections gave the book a balance it needed, grounding Finley’s spiraling thoughts with the bluntness of youth. That duality is what made the story so enjoyable for me.

Finley’s Song is filled with small, luminous moments that feel earned. I’d recommend it to anyone who wants to read about loss in a way that doesn’t smooth the edges but instead embraces the messiness of it. Fans of books like Little Fires Everywhere or Where the Crawdads Sing will find a similar mix of emotional depth and vivid sense of place, but Finley’s Song feels more personal and raw, like a private journal you’ve been allowed to read.

Rating: 5

Thank you,

Thomas Anderson

Editor In Chief

Literary Titan

Finley’s Song was recently released. I reread it for final approval with the publisher, and it was like being in Paris all over again. I have to thank Winter Goose Publishing for the fine job they always do with layout. I also want to thank my writer group, who have become good friends. I don’t know what I’d do without their reader/writer expertise. I also need to thank my long time friend Ladd Woodland, who also happens to be a wonderful cover artist. And while I’m thanking people, let me thank my daughter, Anna. I never would have gone to Paris without her.

This is my sixth novel. My summer project was to reread the other five, which was a fascinating look into how my writing style has evolved over the years. Some themes are repeated in different ways, because we write what we know. It is why there is a little of me in every novel I’ve written, along with many of the people and places I’ve experienced along the way. One of my writer friends recently asked ChatGPT:

“What is Kathryn Mattingly’s writing style like?”

This is what it had to say:

Mattingly’s use of language brings settings to life, immersing readers in vibrant locales. For instance, in The Tutor, she vividly portrays the island of Roatán, capturing its crystalline beaches and vivacious culture.  Her characters are multifaceted, often grappling with internal conflicts and moral dilemmas. In Olivia’s Ghost, the protagonists’ marriage unravels following a tragic event, leading to a profound exploration of grief and belief.  

Her heroines are often driven by a need to protect or find a child, highlighting themes of resilience and empowerment. Her stories frequently delve into the psychological states of her characters, sometimes incorporating spiritual or supernatural aspects. In Katya, the protagonist experiences an alternate reality while in a coma, prompting reflections on life choices.

Mattingly employs a narrative style that gradually unveils the plot, maintaining suspense and encouraging readers to engage deeply with the unfolding story. This approach is evident in Benjamin and Journey, where secrets and past traumas are revealed over time, adding layers to the narrative.  

What specifically is my new novel, Finley’s Song about, you might ask?

Here is the back cover synopsis:

Finley’s husband is killed on his way to her concert where she is debuting a new song. She flees to Paris with her son, Max, where Finley meets a man who helps her heal and perform again. Max works through his grief while falling for a French girl and suspects Uncle Liam, who pays a surprise visit, is his biological father. Rifts and regrets happen before healing begins.

Here are some early reviews:

“Mattingly owns that elusive skill of delivering us to a distant place while drawing us in to a carefully woven chain of events which somehow involve us. Settle in.” M.C. Smith, Author of the anthology Eight Stories from a Dusty Drawer

“In Finley’s Song Mattingly once again immerses readers in a thoughtful journey. Weaving a tale of life after profound loss, we are shown the paralyzing impact of avoidance and guilt while also being gently led to the liberating power of forgiveness and love.” Leah Guthridge Caron, Author of Catalyst: Book of Living, Volume One ‘A Memoir’

“Through beautifully crafted prose, Mattingly draws readers into Finley’s journey as she grapples with grief and the fragile dynamics of family. Rich with emotional depth, this heart-tugging story is an unforgettable read!” Karista Bennett, Author of For the Love of Seafood, The Oregon Farm Table Cookbook, and debut memoir A Taste of Belonging

I am one third of the way through my next novel, The Writer, because I can’t imagine not writing….