Twenty years of helping fiction, memoir, and nonfiction authors shape manuscripts into books that readers love.
Hi! I’m Cathy: Book Midwife, Story Therapist, & Writing Witch.
I have been a professional Developmental Book Editor for over two decades.
And I have spent that career honing on the specifics of my craft and technique to create my Book Midwifery process.
I have MFA in Creative Writing from the New School in New York and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Critical Theory from the University of Iowa.
I specialize in fiction, memoir, and hybrids with a focus on emotional transformations, structural clarity, and symbolism. I also have a soft spot for experimentation, for the writers who do things a little differently.
If you are going to hire an editor…
You need to find someone who understands your project.
Who hears your voice and sees your vision.
You need to find someone who works hard to maintain them both.
You want an editor for your book that you can meet with face to face.
Meeting with a real life person, one who listens and cares about your project is everything.
In this online Zoom app world, you could hire a cheap editor at one of those big box editing companies.
But you get what you pay for.
And that’s often an alienating and generic experience.
I like meeting new people, and I like helping people write books.
I believe in community and shopping local, and that includes reading local.
Which is why I started The Republic of Letters and Water Street Writers. Both of which are organizations for the local authors in our community.
Community Matters
The Republic of Letters connects writers with writers, and local authors with local readers. We’re home to the Local Authors Directory, where readers and book clubs can search for their next book by author and genre. We offer Writing Resources, Writers’ Networking, an Open Mic, and a reading series: Water Street Writers.
Upcoming Events
Water Street Writers
Water Street Writers is a curated reading series celebrating our local authors.
Held at Water Street Studios in Batavia on four precious Sundays a year.
After the show there’s a Writer’s Open Mic!
Want to read with us? Featured Readers are selected by submission. Go to WaterStreetWriters.com for more information.
Writers’ Networking
Come mingle with other writers! We can talk shop, congratulate each other, gripe, plan, and hope. Plus free coffee! Bring your cards and your questions! Bring your books and a pen! Or just bring yourself! Anyway, come NETWORK. It’s better than it sounds.
Let’s make some writer friends! See you at Start Something Studio in Batavia.
Stay in the know, follow me on social media.
Services I offer:
Developmental Editing. Read.
This is a deep-dive into your story’s structure with an intensive focus on character development and arc, plot holes, world-building, and pacing. All the while keeping in mind theme and symbolism as well. I read for tone and voice consistency, and maintain consideration for the reader’s journey. Developmental Editing comes with a booklet of notes, paths, and actionables. A meeting afterwards to go over it all is also included. Learn more about my Developmental Editing Services here.
Book Coaching. Read.
I call this Story Therapy. Story Therapy is an inexpensive way to hire a Developmental Editor. We simply meet for an hour and talk and have a targeted conversation about your book. Learn more about my Story Therapy practice here.
Manuscript Critique. Read.
Or, Beta Reading is where I collapse the distance between reader and text. I still consider it Developmental Editing, as I’ll be reading with an editor’s eye, but instead of detailed line by line analysis, I give you my overall impressions and suggestions. This is for more seasoned writers, or those whose drafts are considered nearly finished. Learn more about Beta Reading here.
Children’s Book Editing. Read.
Do you have a wonderful idea for a children’s picture book but need some help structuring your pages? Together, we can build an elegant, simple, and delightful children’s book using what I know about symbolism and story structure. I have taken on several children’s books in my career. Learn more about Children’s Book Editing here.
Editing for Businesses, the Service Industry, or Professionals. Read.
Would having a book explaining your work help your service business? Do you do something differently, or have years of experience you think is worth sharing? Having a book about your work will certainly elevate you a cut above the competition! Show off your expertise and convince every one of your brilliance. Together, we can make you look like one of the leaders in your industry. Learn more about Editing for Businesses, the Service Industry, or Professionals.
Ghost Writing Services. Read.
Just don’t want to write it yourself? This isn’t my main bag, but we can talk. Email me.
Tarot Reading for your Project. Read.
Just need a little magic to get unstuck? Let’s give your project a tarot reading. Perfect antidote to the dreaded writer’s block. Might just be the thing to get your creative juices flowing. Learn more about Tarot Readings.
Book Midwifery versus Story Therapy
As a Book Midwife, together, we will find your metaphors, birth your characters, learn and amplify your voice, then care for its moods.
Whether it’s fiction or nonfiction, pleasure or business.
Because this is such an intensive process, lights will get turned on, we will unearth gems, clarify your thoughts, and nurture the heart of your work.
I will ask you to go to deeper. I will ask you to find the stories underneath the stories you’re writing.
We’ll play with structure and sort out your symbols until we get it organized and just right.
We’ll find your metaphors and style through a thorough symbolic, philosophic, and thematic character and plot analysis.
This may look like book or film recommendations. It may look like writing exercises and worksheets. It may also look like exploring and experimentation. We will find a system that works best for you.
At the end of the process you will have a story that is yours and ready for submission. It will be moving and you will love it.
Many of my clients approach me with dozens of disparate chapters written. Together, we’ve organized word salads and transformed them into works of art. This is my job. To smooth clunky sentences into glittering prose. With careful dexterity, we’ll move plots and assemble symbols until the project feels complete. Feels yours.
That’s the most important thing to me. That in the end, you feel that your book says, is exactly what you envisioned.
I will work hard to see your vision.
One of the first things I’m going to ask you is: What is the story you want to tell?
I want to get to the heart of the matter, because in that answer, I’ll see your artistry, I’ll see you.
Delicate but relentless care and attention to detail will produce a better manuscript that will get you noticed. Whether you’re writing genius, high-literary fiction, or know a thing or two about your industry and you’d like a book to go with your company’s practices.
If you’re looking for intensive one on one attention and are interested in getting your ducks in a row before you’ve finished your first draft. Great! I highly recommend booking a story therapy session with me. In these sessions we’ll talk about everything you want to accomplish with your writing, we’ll set actionable goals and set you on a path to achieving them. Together, we’ll find what makes your writing your writing. We’ll find your voice, your themes, your symbols and metaphors, and we’ll showcase what you do best. We’ll also focus on where the piece is weak or may need some work. But most importantly, this is a space for you to talk with an expert about your writing. That alone can shape the course of a project’s life. Let’s champion and love on your work together.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What services do you offer? Read.
I offer a comprehensive range of editing services, including developmental edits, beta reading, book coaching, line edits, and sometimes, proofreading.
To help my clients, I’ve developed the micropress, Shape & Color Books. Through them, I can help you see your book in print.
If you’re local to the Fox Valley area, I’m also the founder and owner of The Republic of Letters. Through them, I offer marketing opportunities for your books and blogs with our Local Author Directory.
What genres do you work in? Read.
Novels, all genres. Literary, Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy.
Memoir.
Short Stories and Essays.
Experimental, Multi-Genre or Hybrid works. These are my jam.
What are your prices? Read.
Story Therapy—which is essentially book coaching—is $60 an hour.
I also offer Story Therapy with pages (totaling up to 5000 words) for a flat rate deal of $120. This is an inexpensive way to hire a developmental editor.
Developmental edits are .04¢ a word.
Beta Reading is .01¢ a word.
Prices vary for line edits, but .02¢ a word is ballpark.
Proofreading is .01¢ a word.
Do you accept payment installments? Read.
Yes. We can work something out.
What payment methods do you accept? Read.
Cash, check, credit cards, Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal.
How long does it take? Read.
The timeline for a project can vary based on complexity and your requirements. Generally, a standard editing package has a turn around of about a month from when you sign the contract. Story Therapy has around a week turnaround. It depends on my availability. I work closely with you to establish a timeline that suits your needs. For large projects, there will always be a contract.
Tell me more about The Republic of Letters. Read.
The Republic of Letters connects writers with writers, and local authors with local readers.
We offer Writing Resources, Writers’ Networking, an Open Mic, and a reading series: Water Street Writers.
We’re also home to the Local Authors Directory, where readers and book clubs can search for their next book by author and genre.
We believe if you write, you’re a writer.
Tell me more about Water Street Writers. Read.
Water Street Writers is a curated reading series celebrating our local authors.
Held at Water Street Studios in Batavia on four precious Sundays a year.
After the show there’s the Writer’s Open Mic!
Want to read with us? Featured Readers are selected by submission. Go to WaterStreetWriters.com for more information.
Tell me more about Shape & Color Books. Read.
Many of my clients have found the publication process daunting. These clients wanted to see their book in print, but didn’t want to learn the whole complicated process of self-publishing. From this need grew the micropress, Shape & Color Books. We are a transparent vanity press that will help you with all of the steps of publication from editing to basic cover and book design. We can help you publish on your preferred platform and distribute your book around the world. We work with paperbacks, hardcovers, and ebooks. Everything is priced à la carte. And no crazy schemes with fake marketing plans. We are not out to scam you.
Why Me?
I’ve been a Developmental Book Editor for over two decades. Over those years, I’ve honed my practice and developed a set of powerful techniques to help you move from the idea that’s been living in your head to a book you can finally hold in your hands.
I’ve got a plethora of five star reviews here and on Google.
I guarantee that working together will strengthen your manuscript.
I will listen and work hard to understand your vision. One size does not fit all.
I am an accredited professional, trained in narrative. I hold both a BA and MFA in my profession.
I’m an author myself, so I get it. (Find my collected works here.)
Here’s What Clients Have to Say:
“I can’t say enough about Cathy! I am a first time fiction writer and am very lucky I found her. Honestly, I am not sure I would have continued writing without her continued support and professional help. Don’t hesitate for one moment if you need guidance of any kind for your project-you won’t regret reaching out to her!”
Liz Georgiou
“Cathy does a fantastic job of finding the balance between offering unconditional support and being honest with you about what needs improvement. She truly loves the art of writing and it shows in all she does. Editor, writer, community builder, and badass—Cathy does it all!”
Heather Lynn
“I am a better writer because of Cathy.”
Kailyne Waters
“I can very genuinely say that I would not have come this far, or indeed, gone anywhere at all as a writer, without her help. Sometimes I think I should list her as co-author.”
Lily Robert-Foley
“Despite that I have limited understanding in crafting a story, I never felt like the novice that I am. Cathy supported me every step of the way, encouraging questions and answering every one of them with clarity. Her edits were abundant (exactly what I needed) and her insights are of excellent value. I especially appreciate the one-on-one time she spent with me at the end of the project. I have come away from this process a better writer and a little wiser on how to express my opinions. Considering the scope of the project, the length of time it took to complete was very reasonable. I will, without hesitation, submit my next book.”
Michael Bauch
“Cathy Borders is more than an editor because she understands the direction I’m heading. Her suggestions are spot on and help build a stronger story. I highly recommend her and I’m glad she’s on board with my writing endeavors. Five stars from me!!”
Leo Zarko
“Cathy Borders skillfully and patiently birthed my book while managing to maintain my point of view despite having no previous background in Chinese medicine, aromatherapy, or Daoist philosophy.”
Evelyn Robert
“With immense knowledge and experience in the writing world, Cathy was able to help me start realize the potential of my own. Drawing on Greek myths to vaporware, she is familiar with almost any kind of narrative there can be, and will be able to guide your project to the best it can possibly be.”
Liam
“I’ve listened to a number of writer friends complain about their books being edited but frankly, I have no complaints. In fact, it was joyful and inspiring. She made my book better and helped me think about the way I write. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with her will be lucky.”
Michael Foley
“Cathy Borders is a godsend to any writer! Whether you are a seasoned pro or a new and inexperienced writer (that’s me!) Cathy is your go to. Not only is she a talented, gifted writer and editor, but also a fantastic coach. Cathy is there for you to bounce ideas off of and ignite your imagination! I am so thankful I found her and encourage any writer who needs a second set of eyes and viewpoint to reach out to her- you will not be disappointed.”
Liz
“Cathy is an absolute joy to work with. She is a thoughtful reader who is able to offer valuable insight and guidance. I’m grateful to have found her.”
Patricia Motto
“I started writing a novel a year ago, and after writing 27,000 words, and getting a few (discouraging) comments from other authors, who had not read my work, I got completely stuck. They told me my methodology was all wrong.. I couldn’t even reread what I had written. Cathy read the whole thing and answered my question “Is this worth continuing?” She was very encouraging, and after an hour’s discussion with her, and her magic therapy, I am now back on track. With her help, I WILL finish my story, and am feeling fantastic about it!”
Joanne Telser-Frere
“Cathy is a gift to writers and readers alike! Her approach is equal parts professional and nurturing. She is a champion, friend, and kind critic for your project. Her attention to detail, as well as her ability to excavate meaning from your fragments, sets her apart. I recommend Cathy without hesitation. I am truly honored that she has chosen to help me bring my stories to life.”
KR W
“Cathy is awesome and brilliant and not afraid to be honest with me which is why she is my editor.”
H.L.
Editing Services
Serving: St. Charles | Geneva | Batavia | Elburn | Galena | Dubuque | Peosta
(630) 567-5410
Cathy@cathyborders.com