Featured Interview With Marc Swift
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m a British author and beekeeper, originally from England. I spent many years working in construction before choosing a simpler life surrounded by nature. These days I live with my family in the mountains of central Portugal, in a small valley filled with forests, rivers and the sound of bees.
We share our land with our bees and a few visiting creatures that seem to wander in and make themselves at home, that’s part of the magic of living close to nature. Beekeeping has become much more than a hobby; it’s a way of life that keeps me connected to the land and reminds me daily how everything is linked.
My work as The Beekeeper Writer grew from that same spirit of connection. What began as bedtime stories for my daughter Leila has turned into a published series called Leila’s Light, a set of eco-conscious adventures that mix imagination, humour and moral curiosity.
For me, storytelling and nature go hand in hand. Both teach patience, observation and truth, and both remind us how small moments can ripple out in ways we might never expect.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I think my fascination with books started before I even realised it. As a child, I was drawn to stories that made me question things, not just about adventure or fantasy, but about life itself. I remember reading books that made me stop and think, “What if the world isn’t quite what we’re told?” That curiosity never really went away.
I didn’t start writing seriously until much later. For many years I was busy managing construction projects and running businesses, but the creative spark was always there in the background. It really began when my daughter, wanted new stories, not the usual ones… and I found myself inventing worlds, characters and lessons just for her.
Those moments turned into written pages, and before long, a whole series was taking shape. That’s when I realised that storytelling wasn’t something I wanted to do, it was something I needed to do. Writing became a way to share imagination, humour and truth in a way that both children and adults could enjoy together.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve always been drawn to authors who write with depth, humour and meaning. I enjoy reading Roald Dahl for his imagination and wit, and C.S. Lewis for the way he weaves truth and wonder into every page. Both managed to speak to children and adults at the same time, that’s something I really admire.
Another book that had a lasting effect on me is Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach. It’s simple, poetic and full of quiet wisdom. It reminded me that a story doesn’t need to be long or complicated to change how someone feels. I also enjoyed Sara, Book 1 by Esther Hicks, which explores positivity and the way our thoughts shape the world around us, that message inspired much of Leila’s Light.
My favourite genre is imaginative fiction that carries a purpose, stories that make you think, feel and see the world differently. I’m inspired by nature, by the stillness of the forest, and by my daughter Leila, whose questions often spark the next idea. Inspiration, for me, is a mix of curiosity, truth and connection. Those are the roots I try to write from.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
My latest book is Leila and the Whispering River, the third story in the Leila’s Light series. It follows Leila and her friends as they uncover a mysterious secret within a living river that seems to whisper truths from another time. What begins as a simple summer adventure becomes a journey of awareness, friendship and choice, exploring how even small actions can ripple through the world in unexpected ways.
This is my favourite book I’ve written so far, as I feel I grow with the series. Each story seems to teach me something new, not only about the characters but about life itself. Writing Leila and the Whispering River felt like a step forward in depth and understanding, both as a storyteller and as a person. It carries more emotion, more reflection, and more connection to nature than anything I’ve written before.
I hope readers feel that growth too, and find in it a sense of curiosity, kindness and truth that stays with them long after the last page.
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