Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Hamrick.
Hi Catherine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a content strategist/copywriter at Berry College and tinker with creative writing in my off hours. It’s cathartic, leading to self-exploration and healing. Madville Publishing released my book, “The Tears of Things: Poems,” in 2025.
Like a lot of creatives, I took a path with a few twists and turns. I studied comparative literature in grad school but left to pursue writing. I talked my way into a copywriting gig at Southern Living and subsequently worked at Cooking Light, Southern Accents, Better Homes and Gardens, and Meredith Books. Then I picked up a master’s in communication arts and ended up teaching while freelancing.
Expanding my skill set prompted a pivot from print to digital and opened the door to a communications career in higher education.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
When you work in a creative field, there are bumps along the way. In my case, the print industry took a dive. Freelance work was not always steady, so I jumped into digital about 12 years ago. I popped open WordPress and started blogging. I was clueless at first, but it was fun! Certification in social media marketing eased the shift to digital copywriting.
The lesson I learned? Be flexible in your career outlook. Industries quickly change these days, so lifelong learning and adaptability are paramount. I also found that consistent yoga sessions, brisk walks, and weight training are helpful in managing stress and anxiety. I meditate and journal in the morning before checking the news or emails. Deliberately slowing down to observe the world allows creative flow.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I work in a fast-paced marketing environment with a lot of variety. That includes writing online stories, content for web pages and email campaigns, video scripts, direct mail, and brochures. In my spare time, I experiment with poetry, memoir, and a new adventure—playwriting!
My collection, “The Tears of Things: Poems,” reflects a midlife journey through depression, grief, and resilience, with an emphasis on the therapeutic value of nature. Observing beauty and decay through the year reminds us that love, joy, longing, sorrow, and gratitude arise from life’s imperfection and brevity. The book is organized by seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. The final section, The Fifth Season, documents an arrival at peace and acceptance.
Images are drawn from landscapes in the Midwest and Deep South. I dabble in acrylics, so creating an image is like painting a picture. Walking along the Chattahoochee River in Atlanta and exploring Gibbs Gardens in Ball Ground, Georgia, inspired a number of poems.
“The Tears of Things” has received some nice reviews, and I recently participated in the Decatur Book Festival. Such a wonderful event!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I’m not in the business of predicting publishing trends in a time of disruption. A lot has changed, with the rise of self-publishing, hybrid publishers, e-books, and audiobooks. For now, publishers tend to avoid AI-generated content.
Writers can tap into professional organizations to keep up. I can’t say enough about the Atlanta Writers Club. They provide opportunities for networking, marketing, and critique groups. The organization also sponsors the Atlanta Writers Conference, bringing in top agents and editors twice a year. That’s where I met my publisher.
Authors are responsible for marketing their books, which may shock first-timers. It’s advisable to start building a platform and marketing plan while you’re writing. Fortunately, there are a lot of resources to help you understand the industry and research your genre, market, and publishing path. If you’re getting started with a book, this page with 70+ resources on my website may be useful: https://catherinehamrick.com/publishing-resources/.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://catherinehamrick.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chamrickwriter/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatherineHamrickPoetandStoryteller/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherineahamrick/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/1026270389/99d1b5b10d
Image Credits
Author Photos: Alex Ruble
Painting (Birdwatch): Catherine Hamrick
