AREAS OF SPECIALTY

• Fiction, including: Literary fiction, historical fiction, YA and MG, urban fantasy, magic realism, sci-fi/fantasy (although not high fantasy), mysteries, and comic novels

• Nonfiction, including: memoir, history and criticism, narrative non-fiction, business, politics.

AVAILABLE FOR

• Manuscript critiques, developmental editing, content or line editing, copyediting, writing coaching for adults, writing tutorials for kids, and first chapter critiques.

“Kat - It’s taken until June for me to get through your fantastic comments. Now that I’ve gone through the ones in the second half the manuscript, I wanted to say THANKS again. It made things so much better! Your editor brain is amazing – any time I was a little high on my own hot air supply, you pointed it out in a very kind, helpful, and insightful way. I’m extra grateful because this book has been weirdly vexing for me over the past 4 years. I really like it when I get it going in the right way, and I feel like it’s in that sweet spot now, at least far more than it was. Definitely the best editing I’ve experienced!”

-Randy Lewis, author of Bummerland

"I'm really pleased with Kat's thorough and inspiring critique. Obviously, I'm glad she found a lot of things that work well, but I'm even happier that she identified so many problems (I was aware of some of the problems, but not all of them) and gave me practical suggestions for fixing issues. It's going to be a MUCH better book when I'm finished. She's been an immense help and I'm really excited to be jumping into the book."

-Jim Olinger, author of The Flower Girl Strangler

"Thank you so much for all the wonderful work with my novel. Words cannot fully express my gratitude. As you are aware, writing is such a tumultuous task that takes so much from the writer. I believe a writer is defined by what they can give to readers by way of imagery with words. Your advice and ideas given to my book allowed me to dive deeper into my characters and pinpoint the missing ideas. I appreciate you helping me to accomplish this. I’ve had the opportunity to work with several talented editors at Yellow Bird, and you are truly one of them. I appreciate your attention to details and your true appreciation for the writer as an artist. You were able to critique yet allow me to feel in control of my work and that is a gift. You are truly gifted at what you do.”

-Tanya Howard, writer

“Katherine‘s delivery of the copy edit of Charlotte Gnoll was as thoughtful and energetic as [her] First Chapter edit. Whatever Charlotte was before, she is so much better because of Katherine’s work. Katherine also went beyond the scope of the project and answered a very specific question whose answer greatly improved Charlotte’s story.”

-P.S.W. Gear, writer

“Katherine Catmull worked with me for over twenty years as a writer and editor. She excels at helping people find the beating heart of whatever they want to say. As an editor, she brings clarity, vividness, and a compelling quality to everything she works on. She’s meticulous, committed, and offers friendly, practical feedback aimed at making your writing the best it can be.”

-Jeff Montgomery, CEO, The Ampersand Agency

“I’ve had the great good fortune of having Katherine Catmull review and comment on a range of my writing over the years, from stage plays to short stories to newspaper features and, most recently, my debut novel. Her attention to the craft of writing–big-picture structural things like voice or point of view or exposition, or the finer details of language–comes from a unique perspective derived from years of honing her own writing, reviewing and editing prowess. Receiving Katherine’s editorial wisdom both complements the writer’s direction and nudges it gently along the most exciting route. She is a welcome colleague to have on your side and offers her advice firmly, gently and always with a sense of humor.”

-Robi Polgar, writer