Catherine’s the ideal editor: sympathetic and intelligent, with an eye for both large structure and small detail. I’ve found her feedback reliably insightful and practical, and appreciate how she’ll not only identify the weaknesses in a manuscript but suggest imaginative ways to overcome them. She’s a genuine pleasure to work with.

Michael Debenham, Ampersand Prize-winning author with Drowning for Beginners, Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, 2006

When I really needed a fresh set of eyes on my manuscript, I knew I needed someone with industry experience, professionalism and the courage to help me improve. Catherine Bateson came recommended and it’s a pleasure to recommend her in turn.

Cristy Burne

Catherine has guided me on a journey from a rough and raw first attempt at memoir through to a manuscript I am proud of. Along the way her gentle encouragement, infinite patience and attention to detail has given me the tools to grow and develop as a writer. She knew exactly the scenes I needed to explore in more depth and her comments were like a wand that opened the prose like a flower. What a gift! Catherine is a generous spirit and I have so valued her caring, positive presence by my side during this deeply personal project.

Julie Townsend

As a student magazine editor, I was looking to deliver an editing workshop as a thank you and learning opportunity for our volunteers. Catherine was a brilliant facilitator! She brought a wealth of real-world experience to her workshop, which included a hands-on, interactive structural editing challenge for students at various stages in their editing journeys. She fostered an organic and fascinating group conversation not only on the piece we were analysing, but on the practice of structural editing and the Australian writing and publishing landscape. We’re super grateful for her time and insight, and really enjoyed chatting with her.

Charlotte Waters

I’ve found the feedback from Catherine Bateson particularly helpful. She has great insight and knows the right questions to ask that actually open up possibilities for an improved story.

Nikki Bielinski

Critically Leonie talks the work through until she has a complete understanding of what I am trying to achieve, not merely what is readily assumed from the cursory reading the more cloth-eared editors take as gospel. Armed with this insight, she is then able to shepherd me towards artistic self-discovery, nudging me gently through the necessary tedium of drafts as I clarify my ideas and refine my utterance. Anyone who can make seem effortless the work and craft of writing deserves all the praise I can heap upon them!

Mark Svendsen