EDITORIAL SERVICES
Reporting & Writing
A full-time freelance writer, Kim specializes in reported narrative nonfiction, known for character-driven stories with a narrative arc and literary themes. Her stories often make an esoteric subject (meteorology, forensic science, architecture) accessible to a mainstream audience. She also enjoys profiles, essays, sports, outdoor adventure and nature writing, travel and food, and deep dives into historical archives.
Teaching
Kim teaches feature writing in the spring for Harvard Extension School’s graduate program in journalism. She is a founding instructor for the Sawtooth Writing Retreat in Idaho and the Larry McMurtry Literary Center in Texas. She has taught reporting and writing courses for the University of Alabama, Boise State University, and the University of Georgia’s Narrative MFA program. She teaches occasional workshops on request online and in various parts of the country. She welcomes teaching requests and collaborations for workshops and retreats.
Speaking
Kim has been a speaker for the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Alabama Writers’ Symposium, the Decatur Book Festival, the Dallas Morning News, the University of Alabama, Boise State University, and Harvard Extension. When her schedule permits, she is willing to waive her speaker’s fee for high school or college classes studying her work and for libraries or small book clubs who purchase a book.
Developmental Editing & Coaching
Kim has served as a developmental editor and writing coach for projects including long-form narratives, 10,000-word personal essays, and documentary films. Her clients have gone on to sell their books and publish their stories in national venues. Her specialty is story structure: distilling a complex narrative into a seamless story with a clear arc. She offers one-on-one private coaching to a small number of private clients.
Book Collaboration and Ghost Writing
Kim has written, edited, ghost written, coauthored, and consulted on more than 10 books and book proposals. All of them have found representation by a respected literary agency, and almost all of them have sold to a traditional publisher.
Testimonials
"I have been a photojournalist for over 30 years and a college professor who teaches photojournalism, multimedia production and podcasting. But when I need to write, I sometimes get in my own way. When I’m stuck, Kim Cross is my go-to person.
“One of Kim’s gifts is that she tailors writing sessions for each individual. She speaks my language. At a week-long writing workshop, I felt completely out of my element. I became paralyzed with fear by trying to write in a style that wasn’t me. Kim encouraged me how to write what I see as a photographer. I stopped trying to be someone I’m not.
”That moment opened a new world to me, a world where I thought I didn’t belong. It changed how I navigate writing. I’m so thankful for Kim’s encouragement, support, guidance and friendship. I don’t even know if she understands how much she’s changed my life."
—Alysia Steele, Author of Delta Jewels, Associate Professor of Multiplatform Journalism, University of Mississippi
“Kim helped me craft a book proposal about my career as a physician, scientist, Army Colonel, and deputy director of the USAMRIID, the nation’s largest containment laboratory dedicated to biological warfare defense.
“She took on many roles: coach, consultant, mentor, colleague, and friend. Working quickly to meet deadlines, she helped me define my narrative arc, structure my chapters, and refine my character development. She encouraged me to consider new ideas for chapters that I had previously not included, and coached me on interviewing others to provide additional depth and perspective.
”Working collaboratively, we wrote a proposal that sold to a major publisher, and the book was later optioned by a Hollywood studio. My book was definitely improved, thanks to her input.”
—Dr. Mark Kortepeter, former deputy director of the United States Army Medical Institute of Infectious Diseases and author of Inside the Hot Zone, a finalist for the William E. Colby Award
"Kim's ability to dissect and teach all aspects of narrative storytelling is such an asset, but it's not her greatest gift. That gift would be her infectious passion and excitement for it all. I'm lucky to have met Kim at a workshop in Texas in 2016. She made me a better writer, and now, years later, she remains a lifelong mentor who is always eager to help and talk me through a story."
—Brendan Meyer, author of “Almost Famous,” winner of the Michael Brick Storytelling Award