Kathleen Smith

Born in Butler, Pennsylvania I moved away when I was 23 with my husband of five years and our two toddlers. For 20 years we traveled throughout Europe, Washington, California, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee with our children while my husband served in the United States Army. During that time I worked in food service at military dining facilities that ranged from primitive 'live fire' practice areas to modern dining facilities. I also had the pleasure of working at Soldier's Theatre in Aschaffenburg, Germany and at The Five Pfennig Playhouse in Hanau, Germany. In 1999 I won for my theatre won the Best Theatre Management in Europe (AACT). I must say that was mainly because of the dedicated volunteers.

After my husband retired I worked as a healthcare aid, food service worker and in retail. I finally started college in 2002 and finished with a masters degree in 2009, Summa Cum Laude.

I tried writing for years but I could never finish a novel for one reason or another. The biggest issue for me was Celiac's disease. I discovered I had it when I was 57. That diagnosis explained why I couldn't think or read easily, terrible body spasms and pain for 50 years! With that knowledge I stopped eating wheat, rye, oats and barley— my brain operated 100 times better— it was astonishing!

Another breakthrough occurred after I heard an interview with my favorite writer, Diane Gabaldon. She said people need to write in whatever way makes sense to them. I couldn't get past the outline, which was the "only" way according to school studies. After hearing that, I just sat down and typed. I was able to write a book in six months.

My first 3 books are historical fiction, fantasy and time travel. My fourth book details my anterior hip surgery. My 5th book is a historical fiction of my husband's great grandfather, Thomas F. McNulty, the singing sheriff of Baltimore, who wrote the son The Old Gray Mare. He lived from 1859- 1932. An exciting tale of an event-filled time in American history as well as political corruption that stole an election from him. His grandaughter gave me tales of his wives and children that never made the headlines like Thomas McNulty did.His legacy lives on today in sheriff offices throughout the country and through his song.

My book Weeping Willows was selected as a finalist in the 2024 American Fiction Awards in Science Fiction: Parallel Universe/Alternative History!