Editorial Services
Clear. Concise. Compelling.
My approach to writing and editing centers on these “Three Cs.”
Is your article running long? I’ll bring the scalpel. Are you having trouble articulating your vision? I’ll help you distill it down to its essence using words that are right for you.
I bring expertise in:
Presentation scripting
Brand guidelines
Product descriptions
Naming
Long and short form editorial
Pricing based on project type and length.
BOOKS
Why I write
I write things for a living. Usually those things are not books. But when I care about something so deeply that I don’t feel like I have a choice, I write a book.
My first was the young adult novel, “Come November.” I had been obsessing about climate change and wanted to use the power of story to drive awareness and action. As so often happens with fiction, though, the characters had ideas of their own. The result was a story about mothers and daughters, charismatic leaders and vulnerable followers, family of choice, and forgiveness. And also climate change, if you’re really paying attention!
A few months after Scholastic published that book, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy. Having experienced a surprising amount of pressure to have reconstruction and chosen instead to “go flat,” I felt compelled to provide a resource for women who are facing this difficult decision. “Flat and Happy,” my first work of nonfiction, came out of that commitment.
Two years later, I published a second resource for breast cancer patients. “My Mastectomy Planner” is a compact workbook for anyone who needs to make decisions about breast cancer surgery, regardless of whether or not they wish to undergo reconstruction.
What’s the throughline between these three very different books? They were all things that I felt needed to exist. And since it didn’t seem like anyone else was going to write them, I decided to do it myself!
Come November
"A touching debut novel … van Dam artfully explores the strength of familial ties and what defines a home." -Booklist
It's not the end of the world, but for Rooney Harris it's starting to feel that way.
It’s the beginning of senior year, and her mom just lost her job. Even worse, she isn’t planning to get another one. Instead, she’s spending every waking moment with a group called the Next World Society, whose members are convinced they’ll be leaving Earth behind on November 17. It sounds crazy to Rooney, but to her mother and younger brother it sounds like salvation. As her mom’s obsession threatens to tear their lives apart, Rooney is scrambling to hold it all together. But will saving her family mean sacrificing her dreams — or theirs?
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"In the tradition of Cynthia Voigt’s Homecoming and Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey, Rooney is a teen thrust too early into adulthood. The stress she experiences is palpable as she single-mindedly strives to care for Daniel, the one person she allows herself to love... With an engaging plot premise, a strong, flawed heroine and a touch of romance, this book will fly off the shelf."
–School Library Journal (starred review)
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"'Come November' is the kind of novel that stays with you long after you finish. I was really rooting for the lovable Rooney and her brother on this complex and fascinating journey. The story is both universal and incredibly specific in its questioning of how one navigates the flaws in parents, friends, the planet, and oneself and still finds the courage to be happy. A gripping, well-crafted, and beautiful read!"
– Veera Hiranandani, Author of A New York Times Editor's Choice Pick The Night Diary and The Whole Story of Half a Girl
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"Thought-provoking, moving and very insightful, 'Come November' is the compelling story of a girl on the brink of adulthood struggling to survive a harrowing, all-too-grown-up present, while bravely laying claim to a brighter future and making peace with the complexities of her family's troubling past."
– Kimberly McCreight, New York Times bestselling author of Reconstructing Amelia and The Outliers Trilogy
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"In her weighty debut, van Dam weaves an emotionally charged tale of betrayal, broken familial bonds, and redemption... A strong portrait of family dynamics."
– Kirkus Reviews
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"In this YA debut, van Dam offers a family-centered story that takes on faith, doubt, sibling bonds, and mental illness... The ticking clock (three months until departure) and Mom’s behavior as she preps to be taken up by aliens build tension and momentum, and van Dam’s portrait of Rooney, who has to act as a parent, is poignant, layered, and heroic. As November approaches and the reality of the family’s dire circumstances sets in, Rooney must find a way to pull her mother, brother, and herself through in this emotional story."
– Publishers Weekly
"I wish I had this book as a resource when I was going through cancer. Katrin writes in a clear and understandable way, and her book provides compassionate support and information that would be invaluable to anyone making mastectomy-related decisions."
Comedian Tig Notaro
Mastectomy and Flat Closure
A Personal, Practical Guide
The weeks leading up to mastectomy surgery or the removal of an implant are often filled with scary statistics and bewildering medical jargon.
For a woman navigating this tumultuous time, Flat and Happy is like a conversation with a good friend who’s been there and done all the research: informative, personal and brimming with humor and heart. Written in consultation with experienced breast cancer specialists, this comprehensive guide is hailed as a “unique and invaluable resource for any woman faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer.” Flat and Happy gives women who are seeking an alternative to breast reconstruction the information and tools they need to make informed decisions and to advocate for themselves before and after surgery.
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"A must-read for any breast cancer patient or previvor facing mastectomy, van Dam's guidebook is chockablock with nitty-gritty truths and helpful tips on how to advocate for yourself in the exam room and beyond. 'Flat and Happy' expertly fills the void left by surgeons who rarely take time to detail all of the post-mastectomy surgical options, especially when it comes to going flat."
– Catherine Guthrie, Award-winning health journalist and author of Flat: Reclaiming my Body from Breast Cancer
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"Combining personal experience with well-researched medical information, 'Flat and Happy' is a unique and invaluable resource for any woman faced with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Those interested in "going flat" will benefit from Katrin van Dam's explanation of the process and discussion of important considerations. Women considering other types of breast cancer surgery will find a balanced discussion of surgical options, advantages, and disadvantages, along with questions to bring to the medical team. 'Flat and Happy' should also be required reading for breast surgeons, as it provides insights into the patient experience that may result in improved understanding and care for those opting to forgo reconstructive breast cancer surgery."
– Deanna J. Attai, MD, FACS. David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA & Past-President, American Society of Breast Surgeons
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"'Flat and Happy' is a comprehensive guidebook for women who are navigating a tumultuous time in their lives after a diagnosis of breast cancer. The book empowers patients with the essential knowledge to make informed decisions every step along the way, from the type of surgery to choose, to what long-term or late effects to expect, to lifestyle and/or behavioral modifications that may improve quality of life post-surgery. The vital role of "patient-centric" medicine in cancer care is frequently cited as the gold standard, and 'Flat and Happy' has the voice and welfare of cancer patients at its core. It blends deep compassion with subtle humor in discussing sensitive topics and provides breast cancer patients with the critical tools they need to engage in their own health care and obtain the highest quality of life post-surgery."
– Margaret Foti, PhD, MD, (hc), Chief Executive Officer, American Association for Cancer Research
My Mastectomy Planner
If you’re feeling overwhelmed after a breast cancer diagnosis, My Mastectomy Planner is the resource you need! Written in consultation with a prominent breast surgeon, it summarizes the major surgical decisions you’ll need to make. It also provides the questions to ask your doctors to ensure that you’re well informed about the potential risks and benefits of each procedure. My Mastectomy Planner includes plenty of blank pages for your notes, but is small enough to slip into your bag so you can take it to all your appointments. It’s like having a well-informed friend guiding you so you can focus on preparing, physically and emotionally, for the journey ahead.
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A breast cancer diagnosis, or genetic predisposition to one, is scary and full of very hard decisions to make in a fraction of the time needed to pour through a myriad of websites, outdated research and possible misinformation. 'My Mastectomy Planner' is a collection of succinct and accessible information (Fast facts and “What is it”) unbiased considerations (Pros & Cons) and expertly-crafted questions (Ask your Doctor) to consider yourself/ask your medical team about during the process of making decisions about surgery. Having seen too many loved ones navigate this path without the resources available to make an informed decision instead of a scared one, 'My Mastectomy Planner' gives me great hope and comfort for the path that most certainly lays ahead for me and my genetic mutation. I would recommend this to anyone with breasts.
The Right Resource for the Right Time.
Amazon Reviewer -
When I received my own breast cancer diagnosis, I had the great fortune to read the first chapter of Katrin van Dam's last book, 'Flat and Happy.' She brought clarity to all of the new information with which I was suddenly bombarded. Most importantly, her text helped me to know what I needed to know to make the best choices, and helped prepare me to be my own advocate with my healthcare team.What I really needed, of course, was 'My Mastectomy Planner.' (Aesthetic flat closure was not relevant to my diagnosis.) This book will be a guide and a resource for anyone facing the quick decisions required from a cancer diagnosis. I would also recommend it to anyone looking to understand how to support someone with a breast cancer diagnosis.
A clear, concise, and inclusive guide to help one understand and sort through the options
Amazon Reviewer