Motherhood, Creativity, and Self-Publishing
Kathryn Sprandio Ells shares her writing journey, self-publishing experiences, and how motherhood shapes her work. With humour and heart, she discusses balancing creativity and family while inspiring readers with relatable stories.
Kathryn Sprandio Ells is a writer whose words feel like a knowing glance shared between friends—filled with humour, heart, and an unfiltered honesty that speaks to the essence of life. A proud graduate of Chestnut Hill College and Arcadia University’s MFA programme, she has spent years refining her craft, weaving narratives that capture the messiness, joy, and quiet revelations of the human experience.
Her debut collection, Please Read Me: A Collection of Short Stories and Some Poems Too, brings together stories of women navigating relationships and self-discovery with wit and authenticity. It is a work that celebrates the complexities of womanhood, blending fiction with the undeniable truths drawn from Kathryn’s own life. Following this, she offered readers a different lens into her world with Laugh Like A Mother, a delightful and deeply relatable exploration of motherhood’s chaos and comedy. Infused with her signature warmth and self-deprecating humour, the book reminds us that sometimes, the only way to survive parenthood is to laugh through it.
Kathryn’s work is a reflection of her life—a mother of three, a storyteller at heart, and a woman who finds beauty in the everyday. Her ability to turn life’s ordinary moments into extraordinary narratives makes her writing both compelling and comforting. In this interview, she shares her journey from scribbling in journals to self-publishing books, the lessons she has learned along the way, and why she believes laughter is one of life’s greatest survival tools.
Reader’s House is delighted to showcase Kathryn Sprandio Ells, a writer who not only tells stories but makes us feel seen in them.
Kathryn Sprandio Ells masterfully blends humour, warmth, and honesty, crafting stories that celebrate the beauty and chaos of everyday life.
What inspired you to start writing, and how has your writing journey evolved over time?
I think my biggest inspiration for writing is life. I am fascinated by life and the situations we get ourselves into. I love taking what may seem ordinary and highlighting what makes it extraordinary or finding the humor in it.
How does being a mother influence your writing process and the themes you explore in your work?
Being a mother has definitely slowed my process down and has made it more erratic! But, it has offered me a plenty of relatable material. I used to write about relationships and the foibles of female youth. Now a lot of my writing is more introspective and focused mainly on Motherhood. I think being a Mother has made me a better writer. When my first child was born, before I ever thought of writing books, I began blogging about my experiences, which not only helped me but has helped other moms going through similar times. It is so gratifying to me when a person says, “Thank you. It’s comforting I am not the only one feeling this way.”
Could you share a memorable experience from self-publishing your first book, Please Read Me?
I chose publishing because I didn’t have the time or funds for traditional publishing. I didn’t do a lot of research beforehand, which I realize now is not the best route. But, at the same time, it was invigorating. The timing was interesting because my 3rd child had just turned one. I had spent a full year at home with three children aged three and under. I had been blogging about life, but I had a major hankering to do something more creative for myself. I had a manuscript from graduate school that I edited and added to. Even though I had many doubts as to whether it was ready to enter the real world, I thought, why not! My aunt and a good friend helped me comb through it with edits. I learned how to format, create a cover, and tried to keep it as easy as possible. And, voila, Please Read Me was born.
I also love the cover of it. I think it’s eye catching and just weird enough to spark conversation. One fun aspect of both of my self-published pieces is their covers. Each cover is a different part of my face. My intention with that is to make them like a “selfie prop.” One marketing tactic I have been using is, “buy the book, do the selfie.”
What challenges did you face in balancing your personal life with your creative work?
Time management and finding the energy are the biggest challenges. I am a stay at home Mom. When I was pregnant with my first child, I decided I wanted to be home once she was born. I had two more children within four years. Before they started any kind of school, I was consumed in baby life 24/7. By the end of the day, I was dead tired and had no energy left to commit to creativity. Since my children have gotten a little bit older and two have started school, I am able to give more energy to my passion.
How did you come up with the concept for Laugh Like A Mother and what message did you want to convey through it?
Being a Mom is hard work. I have always found the best way to cut the tension or shift your perspective when things are tough, is to laugh. And as difficult as children can be at times, they are mostly hilarious. I wanted it to be relatable and serve as a decompressor. At the end of a long day of being a Mom, I want my readers to put up their feet and think, “Okay, I’m not the only one!” I also wanted it to be quick and lyrical, that’s why I chose funny poetry and ended it with a few anecdotes. It also has a few silly illustrations that were done by my Mom. The fact that it’s a mother/daughter project makes it even more special to me and I hope that the family connection aspect draws more readers.
Can you tell us about a particular short story or poem in your collection that is especially close to your heart?
The poem entitled Motherhood is one of my favorites. It details a real morning spent with my son, who is now four. When I read it, it takes me right back to the moment. He was up early and I was nursing him. I was frustrated that he was up early, but having that quiet time with him was special. It highlights a lot of the conflicting feelings you can have as a Mother. Motherhood: Beautiful, chaotic, and humorous.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers, particularly those who are also juggling family life?
Keep going! It’s tough when you’re responsible for multiple schedules, but if you carve out even just ten minutes a day for yourself and build upon that, it’s so worth it. I think taking time for yourself and working on your projects in turn makes you a better parent and a better partner.
