Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kat Harrison. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kat, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

It’s always been my dream to publish a book. When you write and edit professionally, it’s so very different than pursuing creative projects outside of a paycheck — sometimes you luck out and collaborate on something meaningful, but most of the time there is a level of detachment that comes with the work. But a book? That’s all mine. I always thought I’d write my memoir first, but children’s picture books was the first genre I tackled. After a few years of rejections, two of my manuscripts were published: SURGERY ON SUNDAY (2020, illustrated by Shane Crampton) and MIGRAINE AND MIA (2021, illustrated by Marusha Belle). While they are both works of fiction, the stories are deeply rooted in my experience with chronic illness, and are a love letter to every kid out there who feels isolated because their body doesn’t work the same way as their peers. I’ve had 16 surgeries to date (with #17 not too far away) and have lived with chronic migraine for 22 years — so for something positive and productive to emerge from decades of pain, well, I’m not sure I’ll ever create something more meaningful in my career.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve loved words for as long as I knew how to string them together. I spent my under-18 years pursuing every single opportunity I could get my hands on to better my craft — from competitive slam poetry to creative writing contests. By the end of high school I knew exactly what I wanted to do: become a magazine editor… and somehow the universe had my back! I graduated with honors from NYU with a degree in creative writing and journalism, and interned for lifestyle publications like Glamour, Good Housekeeping, and Time Out New York Kids. I landed my first editorial role before I graduated, as an associate editor for New York Family. Eventually my health became too much for my little life in Brooklyn, so I moved back to Michigan — where I grew up — with my partner and freelanced for publications like Real Simple magazine. Throughout the years, my writing skillset has adapted in a lot of ways I didn’t see coming, primarily through health narratives, writing SEO and website copy, and working on UX/UI design as well. I own my own consulting business now — xoKat LLC — and provide developmental editing, copyediting/proofreading, community building, UX/UI work, content strategy, in addition to any kind of long-form editorial that a client needs. I pride myself on short, snappy copy that is both human-forward and tailored to a brand’s aims.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

A very common misconception, and one that absolutely guts me to my core, is that creatives should just provide their work and art for free (or, my least favorite buzzword, “exposure”). I find this to be especially true for writers , specifically those who write long-form content of any kind. A large part of this view, I think, comes from a general lack of knowledge that writing is a skillset vs. a hobby. I’ve even had people go as far as to ask me how my “little hobby of writing” is coming along (and have heard the same from friends who are professional photographers). But like any other career, writing requires work and talent. It’s no different than more traditional and respected fields like engineering and medicine. This paragraph you’re reading right now? It took a few drafts for me to get it the way I wanted — and the only reason I know how to do that is many, many years of refining my skillset. Creatives deserve to be paid for their work. It shouldn’t be done for free.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

I do not believe in the concept of, “If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life.” I honestly call bullshit on that theory — earning money is work, even if the passion flows through you on a cellular level. But I DO believe in doing work that inspires you, and for me, I aim to write things that make people feel something. It doesn’t have to be deep, like marketing copy so often isn’t, but it should at least inspire you to want to buy something or check out a brand. It should move you to do something with your money. But my favorite type of writing, and the kind that gets me out of bed in the morning, are stories that crack people’s hearts wide open and makes them feel. I hope I never leave that lane, no matter where my career takes me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katwritesforyou.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xokat/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katmharrison/
• Other: https://wearealiveandunwell.substack.com