Kathy O’Neill won’t need any introduction to many of our readers. She’s been involved with Write2Ignite since 2022. I first met Kathy at a W2I Master Class – and was immediately struck by her kind, gentle spirit. Kathy serves as Critique Group Coordinator for our organization, and today, she celebrates her much-anticipated, soon-to-be-released middle grade devotional, Hoofprints of Hope Devotional: 52 Wonders of Faith and Science for Horse-Loving Kids (Tyndale Kids, 2026). No more horsing around. It’s time for this interview to begin. Let’s giddyup.
Interview
Sue: Welcome, Kathy! I’m sure you were delighted to be able to combine your experience in teaching with your lifelong love of horses and your passion for writing. Please tell us how Hoofprints of Hope came to be.
Kathy: I’ve always been horse-crazy, and growing up, I spent time on my grandparents’ farm. My grandfather used to deliver meat by horse-drawn wagon to families in my coastal town. By the time I came along the horses were gone, but the wagon, draped in cobwebs and hay, still sat in the barn. We kids played in it, calling out “giddy up” and “whoa” to our pretend horses.
I also rode my bike to the library every week to hunt for horse books. I loved sitting with a book open before me and sea breezes billowing out the sheer curtains. I’d dream of riding a horse along the beach, splashing through the shallows, and having its mane blowing back into my face. I have ridden most of my life since, doing some jumping, a little trail riding, but mostly dressage and a dressage drill team.
As an art teacher and in my writing, I try to help children see God’s hand in the beauty and complexity of creation. So, after writing on those topics for magazines, and with my love of horses, I wanted to put all those loves together in a book about horses for middle graders. Many kids love horses, and will enjoy all the information about different breeds, horse activities, famous horses, and how special God made horses.
Sue: Which horse in Hoofprints of Hope amazed you the most? We’d love to hear details that you didn’t have room for in your book.
Kathy: There are so many amazing horses throughout history, and I loved researching information about them. But I did often end up with more than I could fit into a devotion. One little horse I loved was Breeze.
Breeze is a Dartmoor pony (Dartmoor is an area in the UK) that was abandoned at birth. Members of a local mare and foal sanctuary, rescued the foal and worked so hard to keep him alive. Foals need comfort, too, so they gave Breeze a giant teddy bear he could snuggle into as he fell asleep. What I couldn’t fit in was that three years later, the sanctuary staff reunited a grown-up Breeze with his giant teddy bear. Breeze grabbed the bear by the ear and pranced around his stall with it. Later Breeze fell asleep snuggled up with the teddy bear just as he had as a foal.
Sue: What’s next for you on your writing trail?
Kathy: I’m exploring ideas for another middle grade devotional, and I hope to continue writing for children’s magazines like Clubhouse. Clubhouse Jr. had two of my nature features in recent issues.
Sue: Please finish these thoughts:
I hope one day… I can visit Scotland. My mother’s ancestors came from there to Nova Scotia, and I love bagpipe music. Honest!
In my leisure time, I love to saddle up and… ride! I’m riding a sweet bay mare named Paris. I love her and her name, since I love that city!
My favorite Bible verse is… “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).
I was hoping you’d ask… I want to thank my W2I critique group for reading so many stories about horses and giving me feedback to improve each one! Now Hoofprints of Hope Devotional is set to gallop out into the world, and my prayer is for it to corral kids’ attention and lead them to know how much God loves them. I want them to know that on their trail ride of life, God goes before them and is with them (Deut. 31:8a NIV).
Sue: Thanks for taking the time to discuss Hoofprints of Hope with us today, Kathy. It’s always good to talk with you, and we wish you all the best on the launch of your delightful devotional!
GIVEAWAY!
Readers, Kathy is giving a copy of Hoofprints of Hope. Your name will be entered in the giveaway contest if you leave a comment below by September 21st.
Children’s author and educator Sue Irwin has written nature features, and biographical and how-to craft articles for various magazines, including AppleSeeds and Highlights for Children, and she’s a frequent contributor to Clubhouse and Clubhouse Jr. Her middle grade books for the general market have won several awards, and she’s thrilled about the recent release of her debut board book, Hey There, Blue Bird, Why Do You Chirp? (B&H Publishing, 2026) – and more kids’ books coming in 2027. Sue hosts W2I’s monthly Time2Write sessions, and she invites you to connect with her here.
One Response
I am so excited to see this book reaching publication. It has been a treat for me to have participated in a W2I critique group with Kathy as she wrote it. I look forward to holding an opus in my hands to read.