I am a traditionally-published author of six novels and an editor who has spent over fifteen years working with publishers, studios, and independent clients to create compelling stories that sell.
My writing and editing career began in Hollywood, where I spent seven years reading scripts and providing development and editorial recommendations for Nickelodeon Film & TV. Script readers serve as the first level of gatekeepers for Hollywood studios, determining potential viability of every submission and making editorial suggestions for developing the script for the studio’s target market. Successful properties I worked on included Best Player (2011) and Gordon Korman’s Swindle (2013). During my time in LA I also served as a judge for independent screenwriting competitions.
I honed my craft as a freelance writer for online magazines before selling my first book series to Macmillan. Babysitting Nightmares is a four-book light horror series for middle-grade readers that follows the spooky adventures of four young babysitters. The series went on to publish internationally, with translations in both Italian and Czech. It has also garnered television interest; I was able to pitch it to Nickelodeon, Netflix, Amazon, and Disney Plus, and it has been optioned twice.
I sold my two-book interactive mystery series, The Gemini Mysteries, to Yellow Jacket on the floor of the Book Expo of America, where it was picked up for distribution by Simon & Schuster. The two series were published simultaneously, and I spent the better part of a year traveling the country for school visits, national conferences, and promotional events during the peak of their release.
I have been selected as a panelist, panel moderator, and member of faculty for national and regional conferences across the country, including the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE), Yallwest, and the LA Times Festival of Books. My work with these organizations has included individual critiques, workshops, and keynotes for audiences large and small.
I began working as teaching artist with the Loft Literary Center in 2018, offering writing classes to youth and adults. It was there that I fell in love with the process of helping other writers tell their stories. I love working with writing groups and private clients, and I worked as a ghostwriter and editor for Story Terrace before moving into independent editing in 2024. From concept stage to submittal and final review, I am here to help you shepherd your story into the world.
I am always excited to hear from readers, writers, educators, seekers, and other do-gooders. You can reach me by clicking on the Contact Kat tab, through my agent, Erin Murphy of Erin Murphy Literary Agency, or by emailing my directly at katshepherdbooks@gmail.com.
While you’re here…
My other passion is connecting good people with missions that matter. I donate my time to multiple organizations, and I also help corporations create cohesive philanthropic strategies to strengthen local communities. I love working with folks to find creative ways to reallocate resources to where they are needed. One organization that has me particularly excited these days is RedLadder, a buy-nothing trading site that benefits charitable organizations. Click the link to check it out, and please consider starting a ladder to benefit your favorite organization.
