Tom Catalano is an author and poet. He recently published his latest book of poems, “Poems for His Glory.”
Q: Where did you grow up and go to school?
A: I grew up and spent most of my life in Elmwood Park. I went to Elmwood Park High School, and I graduated from there in 1973. I went to Aurora University.
Q: When did you move to Pennsylvania?
A: A job change brought my wife and I to Pennsylvania. I retired from that career in September 2016. I wanted to devote myself to my writing.
Q: When did your love of writing begin?
A: I started writing poems when I was at Elmwood Park High School. I was shy and not in many activities. I found poetry was a great way for me to express my adolescent angst in a creative way. It became an invisible friend to express them on paper.
Q: When did you start writing books?
A: In 1993, my first book came out. It was called “Rhyme & Reason.” It was a collection of different types of emotional poems I had written. It was a mix of poems I enjoyed. I did very well with that book. I went to Barnes & Noble bookstores to do readings.
Q: What other books have you published?
A: I also published “Poetry ‘N Motion” and “Verse Things First.” I was invited to elementary and middle schools to share my poems with students. Teachers liked that some of my poems rhymed and were uplifting.
Q: What inspired you to write “Poems for His Glory?”
A: “Poems for His Glory” is my newest book. I’ve been a Christian/Catholic my whole life. I would write poems at Christmastime, and I would share those poems with my family about the true spirit of the holiday. During a moment of prayer, I wanted to be able to write more during my retirement. I had a moment of clarity to use those Christmas poems and pull them together in a book.
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Q: How did your daughter help you with the book?
A: My daughter, Emma Catalano, is also based in faith. She has written faith-based poems. I asked her if we could combine our poems. She loved the idea. It is her first book and my eighth book.
Q: How would you describe “Poems for His Glory?”
A: It’s a mixed bag of poems intended to help anyone who feels the power of God. It also helps people who want to feel the power of God.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
A: I would like to hope there will be a sequel to this book. I have written several novels that have not been published. I like writing short stories. Now that I’m retired from a traditional career, I want to just write.
Maryann Pisano is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.