Kathleen M. Basi
Writing and Editing Experience
- Author of A Song for the Road (Alcove Press, 2021) and Trust Falls (Sycamore Hollow Press, coming Nov. 2026)
- Freelance writer with experience in fiction, feature writing and essay.
- Liguorian columnist, 2012-2017
- Regular freelance writer for Family Foundations, Pastoral Music, and Embodied Magazines (2008-2024)
- Short stories in print and online literary journals
- Chicken Soup for the Soul, various books
- 5 short devotional books through Liguori and Our Sunday Visitor
- Award-winning musical composer
- Editing experience:
- Author newsletter with 1.34K followers.
- Weekly faith-based Substack
- Experienced in content editing and proofreading
- Newsletter editorial team, Liturgical Composers Forum
- Consulted for midwestern university on publication materials
- Freelance developmental and content edits 2022-present
- Columbia, Missouri Novel Critique group, including authors published by PRH, Harper Collins, and Lake Union
- Regular experience critiquing story structure, character arcs, motivation, and book development
Public Speaking Experience (selected list)
- “Women of God: Uniquely Gifted, Uniquely Called”
(with composer Katie Wills), 2024-present - “Stories Of Our Faith,” 2024-present
- “Writing in the Cracks”
(with authors Erin Bartels and Sharon M. Peterson
Women’s Fiction Writers Association 10th anniversary conference, 2023 - Women’s Retreat leader
(with recording artist Sarah Kroger and composer Janèt Sullivan Whitaker),
NPM virtual convention 2020 - Presenter, National Association of Pastoral Musicians conventions, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026
- Mizzou Flute Fest: Composing Collaboratively
(with flute instructor Lisa Thill Franck) 2019 - Days of reflection/workshop/concert in multiple metro areas in Missouri, Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey, and Florida
Awards and Honors
- Editors Choice, J.W. Pepper, for Times & Seasons for flute and piano
- Association of Catholic Publishers: Song of the Year 2022 for “Come All You Thirsty”
- Winner, WFWA Rising Star Award 2016, for “The Substitute Princess”
- 3rd Place, WFWA Rising Star Award 2014, for “The Wine Widow”
- Finalist, Glass Woman Prize 2011, for “The Third Day” (short story)
- Winner: 2012 Catholic Press Association Best Regular Column–Spiritual Life (for “Just Live It”)
- 2nd Place, Catholic Press Association “Best Essay in a Professional & Special Interest Magazine” 2012, for “Full Immersion Baptism”
Professional Affiliations
- Women’s Fiction Writers Association (2012-present)
- Liturgical Composers Forum, member (2014-present)
- Steering Committee, Liturgical Composers Forum (2020-present)
- National Association of Pastoral Musicians (2009-present)
Work History
- Freelance Writer, composer, workshop presenter 1998-present
- Nonfiction: personal essay and feature articles for religious magazines
- Fiction: short stories and book club fiction
- Music: instrumental music and liturgical songs with original texts
- Musical composer
- See commissioned works on attachment.
- 4 collections for flute and piano and more than 26 choral octavos
- Co-Director, Our Lady of Lourdes Contemporary Group, 2004-present
- Liturgy/Music director, Columbia Catholic School, Columbia, Missouri, August 2006-Spring 2008.
- Liturgy/Music director, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Columbia, MO, August 2000-August 2004. Duties included:
- Recruit, coordinate, train, schedule and lead liturgical and music ministries
- Write bimonthly ministry newsletter
- Contribute to monthly parish newsletter
- Write weekly column for parish bulletin
- Coordinate and execute annual parish mission
Education
- Master of Music in flute performance, University of Northern Iowa, May 1999
- Bachelor of Music in flute performance, University of Missouri-Columbia, May 1997
Selected Publications
Fiction:
- Trust Falls, Sycamore Hollow Press, Nov. 2026.
- A Song for the Road, Alcove Press, released 5/11/2021
- “Epitaph,” in The Storyteller Magazine, June 2013
- “Hatchet Job,” on Page & Spine, Nov. 22, 2013
- “The Third Day,” Apeiron Review, Issue 5, p. 12 (previously top ten finalist in the Fall 2011 Glass Woman Prize)
- “Wedding Day,” The Story Shack, Mar. 7, 2014
- “Alligator Tale,” Vine Leaves Literary Journal, Issue #9 (Jan. 17, 2014), p. 33
- “The Prison at the Edge of Forever,” short story, in MindFlights e-zine, June 2008
Nonfiction:
Selected Articles and Essays
- Intentional Catholic Substack newsletter (weekly)
- Faith-based books from OSV and Liguori
- Embracing Our Differences: Inclusion in Liturgical Ministry (This article originally appeared in the October 2025 edition of Pastoral Music magazine and is reprinted with the permission of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. For more information about NPM, visit org.)
- 2027 Daily Prayer contributor (Liturgical Training Publications)
- Columnist, Liguorian Magazine, 2012-2017 and 2023-24. Winner: 2013 Catholic Press Association Best Regular Column–Spiritual Life.
- “From Beauty Queen to NFP Mom” (interview with Angela Baraquio, Miss America 2001), in Family Foundations, 40, Number 1, July-Aug. 2013
- Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Gratitude (2016); Chicken Soup For the Soul: Here Comes the Bride (2012); and Chicken Soup For The Soul: New Moms (2011)
- “Full Immersion Baptism” (essay), in Family Foundations, Vol. 38, no. 1, July-August 2011. 2nd place, 2012 Catholic Press Association Best Essay in a Professional & Special Interest Magazine
- “Getting It Done When There’s No Time To Do It,” WOW! Women on Writing, June 2011.
- “Working For Dad,” on NPR’s All Things Considered, June 18, 2010
- Source and Summit (of frustration?): Planning Music for School Celebrations (AIM, fall 2008)
Selected Musical Publications:
- Over two dozen octavos for assembly and contemporary liturgical ensemble available from OCP, GIA, and SLM, including the ACP’s 2022 Song of the Year, “Come All You Thirsty,” “God in the Barren Spaces,” and a gospel arrangement of “How Great Thou Art.”
- Chamber music for flute, including duets, trio, solo, and flute/piano.
- Commissioned works: Childhood (flute duet), Mothers And Daughters (flute duet), Flute Fly (flute-piccolo duet); As Stars Unseen (flute trio)
- Full list of musical publications