About

Born in Ireland, Laura Jane O’Gorman Schwartz grew up in Japan, Singapore and New Jersey before attending Bard College in upper New York. While majoring in Japanese Studies, she gulped down as many literature and creative writing classes as possible.

Her debut novel The Warmth of Ashes was published on Amazon in March 2024.

Since May 2013, her articles on travel, Asian culture and a myriad of other topics have been featured almost every month in the Singapore American Newspaper (now the Living in Singapore magazine). Laura was also a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal: Expat for two years.

Her short fiction has been published in FIVE:2:ONEThoughtful Dog, The Shanghai Literary ReviewWraparound South, Ruminate Magazine, Ohio State University’s The Journal and The Birmingham Arts Journal. Her story “Sentimental Cartography” was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

In addition to writing the Lifestyles chapter (renamed to Life as an Adult) for the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th editions of the Living in Singapore reference guide, she also acted as Editor-in-Chief for the 15th and 16th editions, providing extra copy along with final revisions.

She currently lives in Singapore with her non-binary spouse, two cats and too many cactuses. She enjoys high tea in cozy cafes, pole dancing to K-pop songs, morning hikes in quiet woods and frenetic city evenings.

Check out what I’m currently reading at:  Laura Schwartz's book recommendations, liked quotes, book clubs, book trivia, book lists (currently-reading shelf)