Hi, I’m Kat Schwartz, the author behind Of Salt and Sap and the Drowned Kings series. I’ve always believed that stories are more than entertainment. They’re reflections of the struggles, triumphs, and hopes we carry in the real world. My books explore themes of sacrifice, resilience, and power, all wrapped in the magic, danger, and wonder of high fantasy.

When I’m not writing about queens, thieves, and ancient gods, you can usually find me outdoors—hiking, running, or daydreaming about the wilderness that inspires much of my world-building. My background in both microbiology and wildlife conservation taught me to see the world through two lenses: the intricate details of science and the raw beauty of the natural world. Both find their way into my stories, whether it’s the pulse of magic in a tree or the quiet resilience of a heroine fighting for her place in a broken kingdom.

At the heart of my writing is a deep love for creating female characters who don’t need saving, who wrestle with power, politics, and identity in ways that mirror the challenges women face today. My goal is to craft fantasy that feels both epic and intimate. Worlds you can lose yourself in, and characters who linger long after the last page.

If you love stories with rich mythology, morally complex heroes, and slow-burn romantic tension, you’re in the right place.