“Thank you to Kate for all you've done to help me get THE NOH FAMILY in shape for querying so quickly!! You have been so instrumental in making sure I had all my plot holes covered before I started writing so I wouldn't run into the same problems I had with my last MS. It also helped me write this MS out so quickly (wrote it in 3 months and revised in 1!!). So THANK YOU a million and one times!!! I 100% believe that you’ve helped me identify a plot problem from the beginning which instrumentally helped me speed up the process to write this ms that got me agented. I am so grateful to you and your program!” - Grace Shim, author of The Noh Family, sold in a 6-figure preempt to Kokila. Represented by Andrea Morrison at Writers House.

"Kate's Breakthrough Writers gave me the tools I didn't realize I needed to tighten the screws in my storytelling. It's no coincidence I landed my dream agent with the manuscript she helped me with." - Mark Benson, YA author represented by Sara Megibow

“Kate understands story better than anyone I know. She's got a sharp, incisive eye for structure and plot as well as diction and detail, and her ability to turn a project's weaknesses into strengths is unmatched. Her edit letter helped me get to the heart of my manuscript, flesh out my characters, and become proud of the story I'd written. She's been mentoring me for years, and her guidance has helped me to learn how to seek out resources that would be most helpful for me, how to edit my work as effectively as possible, and how to find confidence in my skill as a writer. Without her support, my writing career would be in a standstill. I can't recommend working with Kate enough!” - Mark O'Brien, industry editor and YA author

“Kate is a brilliant editor. Her ability to look into a story and see its potential, where exactly it will fit in the market, and how to help the writer realize that vision in a way only they can is legendary. She is a fierce advocate for people on her team, and she always goes above and beyond to help writers bring their art to life.

As a mentor and in general, Kate is one of the smartest people I know. She is insightful, creative, and quick thinking. Her deep industry knowledge and ability to convey its complicated facets to veterans and newbies alike make her simply irreplaceable. Always funny and welcoming, Kate is one of my favorite people to work with in publishing.” - Jessie Devine, previously agent at D4E0 Literary Agency, YA author

“Working with Kate was a dream come true for my manuscript. I've worked with other editors in the past, yet none of them gave the thoughtful insight and suggestions that Kate did. It was only after working with her that I landed my agent. She truly understands what it takes to make plot, character development and the writing come together.” - Sara Marissa Patel, YA author represented by Joanna Volpe at New Leaf Literary

“Brauning tells a touching story of young, star-crossed lovers caught in a drama they have tried hard to avoid…A sweetly written mix of mystery and romantic turmoil.” -Kirkus Reviews on How We Fall

“Heartbreaking and well-paced, this mystery novel challenges readers to look past preconceptions and get to know characters, rather than focus on an uncomfortable taboo. Brauning’s characters are well developed and their story engrossing. An intriguing thriller…this title will raise eyebrows and capture the interest of teens.” - SLJ on How We Fall

“Kate is a brilliant author. Her prose sings and her stories are tightly plotted and deeply emotional. Highly recommended!” - Nicole Baart, New York Times bestselling author of You Were Always Mine, Little Broken Things, and others

“An unusual combination of romance and suspense…There is also something universal about Jackie’s struggles with her feelings and her desires, and readers will identify with her emotions, while going along for the plot’s ride. This quest for identity, wrapped up in an intriguing mystery, hooks from the beginning.” - Booklist on How We Fall

“How We Fall is a captivating read—a thrilling page-turner with an achingly powerful love story. It’s hard to believe this is Brauning’s debut because she is such a masterful writer—particularly in terms of character and dialogue…Brauning peels back a curtain on a social dynamic I have never experienced, and she does it with authenticity that rings from every page. Rarely have characters felt so real to me as they did in this story…In turns heartbreaking and hopeful, How We Fall takes readers on a one-of-a-kind journey of poignant friendship, passion, mystery and danger. This is one of the books where I’ve dog-eared pages with dialogue that made me laugh out loud, and poignant moments—even sentences—written by a talented author. You know the book is good when you want to go back and re-live a moment with them. Brauning’s characters did more than entertain me—they leaped off the page and made me see love in a whole new light." Jenny Moyer, author of Flashfall and Flashtide

“(How We Fall) is surprising and thrilling and heartbreaking, all at the same time. It’s incredibly sexy, and incredibly scary (at the right moments). There were definitely some tears, and I may have finished the entire thing in one day.” - Kiersi Burkhart, author of Honor Code and others