Stories move people—and when they’re created with care, they move systems and can change the world. I help individuals and organizations tell stories that are clear, credible, and rooted in lived experience across neurodiversity and disability spaces.
My support is just for you, if …
~ You’re writing a book, and want its message to land with purpose
~ You have lived experience and want to share it responsibly and powerfully
~ You’re an organization or advocate shaping stories for community impact
~ You want feedback that is honest, warm, and grounded in understanding
If you are an author or writer …
Whether you’re just starting or deep in the process, I help you strengthen your voice and structure while staying true to your story. When you hire me, I’ll give you:
~ Constructive feedback and structural support
~ Voice and clarity editing (honoring your tone)
~ Chapter-level coaching and accountability
~ Memoir and mission-driven nonfiction guidance
If you are an agency, business, organization, group, or individual advocate …
Strong storytelling builds trust, connection, and leads to action. I help shape messages with accuracy, intent, and care. Working with me will offer:
~ Message and narrative development
~ Storytelling strategy for campaigns and/or important initiatives
~ Speaker and keynote story development
~ Written content that centers around and validates lived experience
What this looks like …
~ A short exploratory meeting to understand your goals and timeline
~ A clear plan outlining the scope, support, and our next steps
~ Thoughtful feedback, collaboration, and practical guidance throughout
I’m Catherine Hughes, and you can trust me with your story.
Today, I serve as a sought-out international bestselling author and editor of over twenty books. I have been a part of many collaborations. In August 2020, I unveiled my powerful memoir about our family’s journey with autism.
You can purchase my work on Kindle or paperback by visiting my Amazon Author Page. My books are also on Goodreads, and available on additional sites throughout the world.
I have *coauthored and/or edited (*specific chapters listed with corresponding book):
From Fearful to Fearless: Answering the Call to Advocate for Families Through Leadership, Impacting Audiences By Speaking, and Becoming a Best-Selling Author
Becoming an Exceptional Leader: Inspiration from 14 Accomplished Disability Changemakers
Imprisoned No More: A Mother and Son Embrace Autism and Journey to Freedom
Cultivating a Spectrum of Possibility (While Consuming Copious Amounts of Coffee)
It’s Going to be AUlright: Testimonies from AuSome Women Raising AuSome People
Be Strong, Little Sunflower: You’ve Got This (No, Really, You Do)
Made to Overcome: Caregiving Edition
Made to Overcome: Chronic Illness Edition
Made to Overcome – Grief Edition: Finding Meaning and Purpose After Loss
(I was blessed to have contributed a foreword within this book. This outstanding collaboration ends with the chapter Walking Out the Door by the one, the ONLY, Betty C. Lesitz Tomko (who many of you know as “Mama Betty!”)
Blooming Through Rocky Soil
Made to Overcome: Mental Health Edition
Made to Overcome: Mental Health Edition #2
Choosing Life, Embracing Enough
Made to Overcome: Single Parenting Edition
Rising Above Sexual Abuse: How ordinary men and women found supernatural strength to turn trauma into resilience
Seeking Utopia: The Art, Poems, and Passages of John J. Tomko
They Want to Work: People With Disabilities Belong in the Workplace
We All Belong: Musings on Inclusion, Acceptance, and Kindness
Cultivating a Spectrum of Possibility (While Consuming Copious Amounts of Coffee)
You Are Not Alone: Stories, Resources and Hope from Autism Moms
United Hearts for Autism : Stories from Caregivers and Self-Advocates
I have also served as an editor for other amazing authors:
Louis Bianco, RN, CPS — Mental Health DisABILITY: Perception vs Reality and Funhouse Mirrors: The Impact of Cognitive Distortions on American Culture
Mary Nixon Hahn — From the Inside Out: An Autistic Person’s Journey to Creating Inclusive Employment Opportunities and How to Effectively Support Autistic Individuals in the Workplace: Strategies from the Inside Out
Greg Wooley — Transformed: Rise and Shine Book III
And … so very special to me, I have edited two books for my own son, Christian Tomko! I wrote the forward for his first book, A Milestone Journey.
A Milestone Journey: Memories and Lessons Throughout the Years
The Caffeinated Advocate, LLC 