A good editor…
Is one that understands your vision, has heard what you want to say, and works to help you say it.
Helps you match what’s in your head with what’s on the page.
As a book midwife, I’ll help you figure out what you already know.
We’ll talk about what you really want to write.
I’ll help you plan with purpose and strategy.
But it’s your baby, you’ll birth this book.
I’ll just help deliver it and make sure it’s healthy.
Book midwifery can include content editing and line editing.
It can look like Story Therapy and slowly evolve into editing, or it’s the other way around.
Every project has its own needs.
Just like children.
But also like children, they all still have the same basic needs:
• Solid structure
• Compelling characters
• Dynamic plot
• Evolution
• Unique voice
Book midwifery is for writers who wish to delve deep into the art of their writing.
A Story Therapist…
Is someone who listens to what you want to accomplish and gives you ideas, whether that’s other books to read, artists to explore, or maybe breaks down various misgivings you may have. Story therapy sessions are about you taking the time to explore your art. This is great for someone just getting started, or someone who’s stuck and maybe just needs a bit of advice to get over the hump. Story therapy can be as regular or as loose as you need. But having regular conversations with someone who understands and champions your work can immeasurably make a difference. (Also, this way you don’t have to bug your partner, friends, their neighbors.)
I am an accredited professional, trained in narrative. (Not at all a licensed therapist, I am an editor.) Story Therapy is guaranteed to strengthen your story. The more I know about your book, the more you know about your book.
Story therapy is also a more inexpensive way to get all of the benefits of an editor without the (sometime astronomical) price tag. (If you’re local, we could also do this while walking at a discounted rate.)
Come talk to me, let’s work out all the kinks.
Need an editor?
It’s easy to correct for spelling and grammar, to find plot holes and develop backstories, to point out when a transition is harsh. It’s harder to listen, to collaborate. An anonymous cookie-cutter editor can certainly polish your book to something serviceable, but when it’s done, are you happy? Do you still see yourself in there? Or did you concede to some things you maybe wish you hadn’t?
Paying top dollar for fancy line edits won’t help…
If structure is your problem.
If your characters are flat, irritating, or uncanny.
If your book is boring.
If your climaxes fizzle.
If your characters’ emotional arcs are forced and unearned.
My method is personalized, fluid.
Together, we will find your metaphors and style through symbolic, philosophic, and thematic character and plot analysis.
It’s my job to find what’s not working, but more importantly, I can find what is.
I’ll listen to what you want to accomplish and I know the steps we can take to make that happen. (But what this looks like depends on your project.)
Together, we will find your metaphors, birth your characters, learn and amplify your voice, then care for its moods.
I will not force your text into any trend. We will not be analyzing the market or any algorithms. We will, instead, find what makes your art yours – this is the heart of your work – and we will use that to make your writing the best it can be.
Because this is such an intensive process, lights will get turned on, we will unearth gems, and clarify your thoughts. Not all of it will be pleasant, some of it may be very painful for you, but the process will be cathartic and special, and the bound book in your hands will be immensely satisfying and yours.
24 Pages (up to 5000 words) + Consultation
Story Therapy
We’ll play with structure and sort out your symbols until we get them organized and right. At the end of the process you will have a text that is yours and ready for submission. It will be moving and you will love it.
You will love the process of it.
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, want to complete your memoirs, or you’re an expert in your field and you’d like a book to go with your company practices, I can help.
Each client is different, but after a free consultation we work out what the client needs to tap into their inspiration and get the pages flowing. This can look like very poignant questions, meticulous line editing, flow charts, art recommendations, or something else!
“I have been working with Cathy Borders as an editor for many years, and she is literally the only person I trust to give me the real deal on my work. Indeed, I refer to her opinion to sort through the sometimes contradictory feedback of other readers of my work, and her reading always trumps the crowd. Her eye is fine, and acutely generous, able to enter into the writer’s personal universe without imposing her own upon it, always listening to the unique thread which makes a work a work, and not any other, and often making that line emerge when I myself had not been able to find it. Her line edits are deft, girded by years of deep readings of a vast array of different kinds of texts, and familiarity with the textual world and literary scene. Her capacity to grasp, sort through and propose structural shifts, cuts and additions to my work is always spot on, and her honesty is devastatingly kind. I know she will not lie to me if my work falls short, a rare and necessary quality in an editor. However, when it works, when it is good, and the work does what it has set out to do (and sometimes only she can see what that is), her support and encouragement is unflagging. 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
“I am currently working on completing my second book and needed professional assistance. Cathy has been an amazing resource for writing, critiquing and editing my content. This process has been easy and timely. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner to help me finish my project.”
Jennifer Mercier
“Cathy Borders has been my editor for some time now. She’s done an excellent job with both my poetry and children’s books. To me she’s more than an editor because she understands the direction I’m heading. Her suggestions are spot on and help build a stronger story. I like the fact that I can call her and work it out. We walk through each step to make sure I’m satisfied with the end product. She’s a fine writer in her own right so she understands the rigors of being an author. I highly recommend her and I’m glad she’s on board with my writing endeavors. Five stars from me!!”
Leo Zarko
“If I had to choose a word to describe working with Cathy Borders, I’d have to use a word from my next book, which I hope she’ll be available to edit. That word would be poly-luminous. In a world where the majority of people are binary thinkers, drifting between good and bad, right and wrong, up and down, the poly-luminous thinker sees all the possibilities as things evolve. This was so true of Cathy. Whether a single word or the construction of a chapter, her approach was open, honest, and brilliant. I’ve listened to a number of my 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
On some specifics I offer:
Structural Clarity
We’ll organize your vision and lay a clear path for achieving your goals.
From world building to plot weaving, to arcs and pacing, we will figure it all out and clean things up.
Emotional Clarity
We’ll consider the reader, and make sure to give them an experience.
From emotional mapping to tone and mood inside setting, we will logically break down how to engage your readers.
Find Your Metaphors
Inside what you’ve already written are your preferred metaphors. I’ll show you how to find them and write stories around these potent symbols.
Find Your Voice
We’ll find the art and power inside your project. Your spark, your fire. I’ll tell you what you’re doing well and show you how to do more of it.
We’ll talk about balance, style, voice, and intent.
Children’s Books
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.
Kids’ Writing Lessons
I offer personalized book writing lessons to children eager and able to write chapter book length books. We will go over structure, plot, character, themes, mood, and style. Every lesson is individualized.
Business Writing
Would having a book explaining your work help your 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 everyone of your brilliance. Together, we can make you look like one of the leaders in your industry.
Ghost Writing
Just don’t want to write it yourself?
This isn’t my main bag, but we can talk.
Tarot Readings
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.
More Testimonials:
I submitted a tome of seven hundred pages to Republic of Letters for editing. This was my first submission to an editor and I’m grateful and fortunate to have worked with this organization and Cathy Borders in particular. 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 to Republic of Letters.
Michael Bauch
Republic of Letters is a wonderful resource for both novice and seasoned authors. The individual attention to detail and creative cushion is reason enough to explore their editing suite. If you are a writer looking for a soft place to land but wish to be bolstered with the confidence that your work is being exceptionally critiqued, the Republic of Letters is for you. Simply, I am a better writer because of Cathy, and by extension, Ryan and their organization. As a writer/director filmmaker, I came on board to adapt my short film into a children’s book. I am half-way through the process, and I have no doubt, that the completed project will be exactly better than what I imagined.
Kailyne Waters
Let’s get your book organized.
Let’s find your artist’s voice.
Let’s break out of what you think a book should look like.
Let’s finish your book.
24 Pages (up to 5000 words) + Consultation
Story Therapy
