About page | Cate Hogan
Storytelling has taken
me everywhere.
From the cutthroat boardrooms of AdLand to the glorious Silver Screen, storytelling has always been my bread and butter.
My parents were Advertising People. (Think Mad Men, but Sydney in the eighties–so less glamor and more spray tan.) As a kid, I’d sit on their sets amidst the crew, lights, and actors, wondering how all these moving parts could eventually coalesce into a message that would influence millions of people.
After leaving school, a fierce desire to one-up my parents led me to pursue a fine arts degree in film production. I spent the next five years surviving on intern wages and the dogged hope I’d one day be trusted with more than just the coffee order. Miraculously, it paid off. Luck and persistence landed me a fancy office in the middle of Sydney Harbor, working with some of the most brilliant creative minds in the country. It was a career most young filmmakers would die for, and it did, in fact, almost kill me. At the tender age of twenty-nine I quit my job and found myself sitting on a beach in Bali, Indonesia. I was spiritually, creatively, and physically wrecked, but it was the breakdown that would prove to be my breakthrough moment, giving me the courage to pursue my love of storytelling on my own terms.
In the years since I’ve worked as a freelance developmental editor on Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling books across multiple fiction and memoir genres. I support authors who’ve graced the New York Times list and sold millions of books, as well as those at the very start of their writing journeys. I’ve also been invited to judge writing awards, assess big-budget screenplays, and craft lessons on storytelling that have been featured in multiple publications, including the “Best of Novelists Inc.” (US) annual, printed exclusively for multi-bestselling published authors.
Most importantly, I get to craft stories every single day—and on that note, I’d really like to read yours. After all, my journey has led me to (what I believe is) the greatest job in the world, just as yours has led you to tirelessly draft a manuscript and ultimately, stumble upon these words.
So am I the editor for you, and if so, how do we discover the full potential of your story?
It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3…
Step 1
Discovery
An introductory Opening Hook Edit allows you to experience my editing input and determine if we make a good creative fit. I’ll also advise what kind of development the work is ready for, and a confirmed cost and timeline.
Step 2
Countdown
One week prior to your edit session, I’ll confirm that you’re ready to proceed with your booking. Once you’ve submitted your draft, I’ll send an invoice based on the service booked, and your final wordcount.
Step 3
Lift Off
With draft in hand, I’ll get to work. Once you’ve received your edit, I’ll answer any questions you have about the feedback and do all that I can to ensure you feel motivated and ready to take your story to the next level.
