Ty Swartz
For twenty years, Ty Swartz told stories the world needed to hear. As a U.S. Navy Photographer's Mate, Journalist, and Mass Communication Specialist, he carried his camera and notepad across 65 countries, documenting everything from military operations to human-interest stories that revealed the truth beneath the surface. He graduated as an honors graduate from the Naval Schools of Photography. He earned the highest professional photography credentials—Master of Photography and Photographic Craftsman. But after two decades of capturing real-world drama, Swartz discovered his most compelling story yet was one that existed only in his imagination. His transition from the military to the world of fiction is a testament to the power of creativity and the courage to pursue new paths.
Now a technology teacher in Chesapeake, Virginia, Swartz has made a dramatic career pivot with his debut young adult mystery, "The Vanishing at Pinecrest". The novel is the first in a planned ten-book series called the Barrier Keepers. The series follows Sam, Mia, Leila, and Noah around the world and through time and space as they work together to solve some of history's biggest mysteries while trying to save the world from unscrupulous people who have exploited it for centuries.
"Every photograph I took as a photojournalist was about revealing hidden truth," Swartz explains. "Fiction allows me to explore deeper truths about courage, friendship, and what happens when young people refuse to accept 'this is just how things are.'
The transition from decorated military photographer to classroom educator wasn't as dramatic as his leap into fiction. Teaching technology systems to teenagers requires the same skills as photojournalism: reading the room, understanding your audience, and making complex subjects accessible. But it was his students' curiosity about their school's history that sparked the idea for Pinecrest.
"I've spent my career in buildings with complex pasts," Swartz reflects. "I found myself imagining what stories those walls might tell if they could speak."
"The Vanishing at Pinecrest" draws from Swartz's unique perspective as both a military veteran who witnessed global conflicts and an educator who understands the real fears and remarkable resilience of middle schoolers. His photojournalist training, the ability to observe details others miss, and the knack for finding human stories within larger events translate seamlessly into crafting mysteries where every clue matters and every character has depth. This unique blend of experiences adds authenticity to the book and intrigues readers.
The launch of "The Vanishing at Pinecrest" is just the beginning of an exciting series. Swartz envisions a series of books following Sam Rivera and his friends as they encounter mysteries blending historical research with contemporary dangers. For readers raised on "Stranger Things" and "Nancy Drew," he offers something both familiar and fresh: mysteries rooted in real historical research, protagonists who solve problems through teamwork, and stories that trust young readers to handle complex themes.
"I've spent my career telling true stories," Swartz says. "Now I'm discovering that sometimes fiction can reveal truths that facts alone cannot capture." This realization underscores the value of his transition from photojournalism to storytelling, as well as the unique insights he brings to his work.
With "The Vanishing at Pinecrest" available now, this master photographer and dedicated educator proves that the best storytellers are those who've lived enough life to understand what really matters and have the courage to imagine what could be.