At-a-Glance
Latest book: The Year the Swallows Came Early
Lives in: Monarch Beach
Used to be: An unpublished author
Favorite restaurant: Javier's Cantina
Website: www.kathrynfitzmaurice.com
When Kathryn was thirteen years old, her mother sent her to New York City over the summer to visit her grandmother, who was a science fiction author. After seeing how her grandmother could make the characters in her books into whomever she wanted, Kathryn decided that she, too, wanted to become a writer someday. Years later, after teaching elementary school, and taking many classes, she now writes full time and lives with her husband, two sons, and her dog, Holly, in Monarch Beach, California.
Kathryn was born in New York City, but grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. She holds a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Chapman University. Her favorite thing to do is walk her dog, Holly, who, she says is so smart, she can practically empty the dishwasher. She also likes organizing absolutely anything, including messy garages, closets, and even cluttered junk drawers. If she could, she would eat the same thing for lunch everyday, which would be a ham, Swiss cheese, and tomato Panini, a green apple, and a chocolate soufflé.
SoCal Book Scene Exclusive (Mini) Interview:
SCBS: What did you do before you “officially” became an author?
KF: Before I was officially a published author, I dreamed of being a published author! So I wrote my first novel over three years, went to writing classes, joined a critique group, went to SCBWI events, and read every middle grade novel my librarian handed me. Before that, I intermittently taught elementary school.
SCBS: How do you spend your weekends?
KF: I usually spend my weekends watching one of my two sons play in a water polo game, walking my dog, Holly (who I'm certain is the smartest dog in the world) and waiting for Sunday night, which is when my husband always cooks up some fabulous dinner out of one of our Ina Garten cookbooks.
SCBS: What’s your favorite restaurant in Southern California?
KF: My favorite restaurant in Southern California is Javier's Cantina, which used to be in Laguna Beach, but has now relocated to Crystal Cove. It is my favorite because I adore their quesadillas served with guacamole and sour cream.
Available now at your favorite local Southern California independent bookstore:
