Bronwyn Kato – Editor

Since 2003, I've worked on over 400 titles in my role as editor, book coach, writer and proofreader.

I’ve collaborated with writers at every level, on books that have been shortlisted for or won literary awards, including, among others, the Sunday Times Literary Award, the SALA Nadine Gordimer Award and the University of Johannesburg Debut Prize (see the first nine titles under my Portfolio). I've also worked with Booker-nominated author André Brink.

I'm passionate about helping people express themselves through writing, and offer assistance at every stage of the process, from conception to final draft.

My specialty is book planning and coaching. This involves brainstorming and discussing plot, structure, pacing, style, theme and voice, compiling character profiles and creating comprehensive outlines with chapter summaries. I offer guidance throughout the writing process and advice on querying and submitting to agents.

Themes and genres that interest me include art, mindfulness, Buddhism, psychology, philosophy, neurodiversity, magic, Japanese fiction, poetry, sociopolitics, coming-of-age stories, memoir and LGBTQ+ literature.

My novel INGE & ROSE was longlisted for the 2024 Bath Novel Awards and I was shortlisted for the 2024 Miles Morland Foundation Writing Scholarship.

TESTIMONIALS

“One of our trusted and valued freelancers, Bronwyn is commissioned regularly by us to edit manuscripts and write reader reports on novels being considered for publication. We appreciate her keen eye for quality writing, her suggestions for improving a manuscript, the warm and constructive working relationships she forms with the writers whose novels she edits, and her general care and precision in her work. She is also very reliable and delivers on time. Thank you, Bronwyn!” – Catriona Ross, Managing Editor, Penguin Random House

“I must say, I found the editing magnificent and sensitive. I hope I can work with Bronwyn again!” André Brink

"Bronwyn had the insight and courage to tell me I could do better than the original draft and worked with me on a tight deadline through an almost total rework of the material. It says much for her guidance that I worked with more intensity than ever in my life before without questioning the direction she advised. The final, and infinitely better, structure of the book is due to Bronwyn’s input." Maureen Collins

"Bronwyn, you are a true gift from the Universe. Thank you for loving this project, for encouraging me and for being the finisher." Donna Macallan

“This book would not be anything without the wonderful editor I was blessed to have, Bronwyn. Thank you for making sense of my book and turning it into something people can understand and relate to. It has been a pleasure working with you as I found you to be open and sensitive to my needs as the author. It is a difficult thing to give over your creative work and you showed such patience and understanding. I gave you vegetable soup, but you whipped it into a gourmet soufflé of haute cuisine standard! I don’t know how you did it, but well done!” Toni Lee

See more testimonials below.