'Katherine's mentoring and feedback was invaluable and supportive for me at a time when I was ready to give up on a challenging long-term project. The combination of wise coaching and expert editorial critique, delivered sensitively and warmly, was just perfect. I really appreciated how flexible and kind Katherine was, and I can recommend her wholeheartedly to other writers, whatever stage they are at.'
Liz Flanagan, award-winning author of the Wildsmith and
Dragon Daughter series
What's it like to work with me?
Here's what my clients have to say...
Katherine's mentoring and feedback was invaluable and supportive for me at a time when I was ready to give up on a challenging long-term project. The combination of wise coaching and expert editorial critique, delivered sensitively and warmly, was just perfect. I really appreciated how flexible and kind Katherine was, and I can recommend her wholeheartedly to other writers, whatever stage they are at.
Liz Flanagan, award-winning author of the Wildsmith and Dragon Daughter series
photo © Matt Radcliffe
I first reached out to Katherine when I was encountering structural challenges in my novel along with significant doubts about my own writing. This would turn out to be one of the best decisions I made!
In just three months, I was able to identify where the problems were and to address personal habits that were not supporting my writing goals. Katherine
helped me to identify my priorities and got me back on track. Katherine coached, guided, advised and generously shared her knowledge of both writing
and the industry which gave me the confidence and tools I needed to complete my novel. I now have a clear roadmap as to what I need to do to complete it and to have it ‘submission ready’ in just a few more months.
If you find yourself, like me, struggling alone and doubting whether you can do it, Katherine’s magic will help guide you back to what’s important and
inspire you to get those words down on the page.
Natalie Adams Perrin, Writer
Working with Katherine has changed how I prioritise my life. I came to her burned out from balancing writing a book a year with a day job and have come away with an understanding of what I want my life to look like and what I can work on to get there. Katherine is worth her weight in gold!
Rachel Burton, best-selling author of The Butterfly Garden and The Mystery of Haverford House.
I came to Katherine primarily for help with my confidence as a writer, as well as coaching and advice on navigating the publishing world. I was particularly struggling with the pressure of perfectionism on my second draft of a manuscript, and a hefty dose of imposter syndrome.
Working with Katherine was a wonderful and encouraging experience. She was always available to listen to my concerns and worries, and gave thoughtful and sensitive suggestions to help me deal with my workload and expectations. My confidence definitely grew over the time we worked together thanks to her support. Katherine helped me think through difficult plot points and encouraged me to rely on my own instincts as a writer. I really enjoyed our coaching sessions, and the fact that I could get in touch with Katherine any time. She was always quick to respond and very communicative. She has a wealth of writing and publishing experience and was able to give me so much reassurance to build up my self-belief.
I would absolutely recommend her service to other writers wrestling with a manuscript (in fact I already have!)
Louise MacBean, Writer
When I started working with Katherine, I had just begun writing a new novel. At the time, the research, ideas and wrestling with the narrative felt so unwieldy that I couldn't see the forest for the trees. But over a series of six sessions, Katherine very gently helped me to zero in on what should go where,
how much I could accomplish and at what speed.
We discussed everything from the evolution of the characters' journey to how they could most effectively push the narrative forward. Katherine's guidance and coaching empowered me to write my novel with more confidence and more effectively than I could ever have done without her.
Katherine's support was indispensable!
Carrie Hayes, author of Well Dressed Lies, The Naked Truth and Spirited Away.
Photo © Kimberly M Wang | Dog Ear Photo
Katherine's gentle, open questions and non-judgmental, supportive attitude really helped me get unstuck with my writing. Her personal knowledge and
experience of writing and publishing were extremely valuable. She helped me fall in love with my novel again and establish a regular, meaningful writing
practice.
I discovered a lot about myself, some of which I will apply to my wider life. In terms of value I found the coaching sessions much more helpful than expensive courses because it was one to one work and explored creativity, blocks and mindsets as well as writing craft. It also felt completely tailored around me and my needs.
Mellany Ambrose, author of Mr Hammond and the Poetic Apprentice
Katherine is an empathic, dedicated coach, who has become a much valued confidant and ally. I always come away from her sessions feeling energised and
determined. Each session was perfectly tailored around my concerns and I always left with a set of objectives. Bits of Katherine's wisdom have stuck to me like fairy dust and I'm very grateful for all her help and advice.
Gemma O'Carolan, Writer
Clear, detailed and hugely helpful feedback on what was/wasn't working in my first chapters. It was exactly what I needed to figure out my next steps and
delivered in a kind, supportive manner that was highly motivating.
Having had a few agent rejections my faith in my writing ability had taken a knock and Katherine restored that faith and gave me the push I needed to get back on the horse!
Sophie Meeks, Writer
Working with Katherine is like having an expert writing buddy in your corner, someone who encourages you to think about your practice and
your process and about the ways in which you might develop your approach. She is calm, insightful, patient, methodical and an excellent listener. If I could, I'd like to bottle up her expertise and dispense a little every day.
Bernie McGill, novelist and short story writer, winner of the 2023 Edge Hill Short Story Prize for her collection, This Train is For.
I sought help with both my writing style in general and specific advice on my submission package. My main challenges were writing a synopsis and sorting out the plot line of my story.
Katherine’s help was amazing. She was constructive in her advice, helping me sort through my plot and the edits I needed to make. She gave me tools to do this for myself in the future. Her submission package advice was excellent and really helped me hone and improve not just the first pages and letter but the dreaded synopsis! I’d recommend her help to anyone looking for writing coaching or submission package advice.
Vikki Biram, Writer
Looking for community support?
Join The Inkwell!
The Inkwell is a space for committed and ambitious writers to find their tribe. I write about creativity – how we nurture it, what gets in the way, and how to build a good life on creative foundations. Plus stuff about writing practice, honest behind-the-scenes updates on my writing and publishing journey, and occasional advice on writing craft.
We gather regularly for live workshops and group coaching sessions, covering common challenges for writers, such as dealing with rejection, or breaking through creative blocks.
The Inkwell is a supportive and safe space to talk openly and honestly about creativity, practice and publishing – the kind of restorative community that feels like a good chin-wag
with your pals over coffee and cake.
If that sounds good, I'd love to see you over there. The Inkwell is hosted on Substack. You can subscribe for free, or chose a paid membership to access monthly workshops, community support and personal coaching from me.
