Kate Goggin
Writer, Editor, and Author

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Confidential writer for executives and project or program leaders in the business and government sectors. This service is sometimes called ghostwriting.

Services include writing and editing original or existing content to explain complex information to non-technical audiences or to meet plain language standards.

Customized plain language writing workshops are also available to train teams or associated program or project members.

View previous performance work samples and publications.

Build trust with clear and concise text.

Accomplish goals and reach more clients.

Improve skills and communicate better.

Recent book updates below…

book cover shows a woman pushing a wad of paper up a hill
Published September 15, 2024.

Order the book

Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, Ingram/Spark (direct from the printer), or 10LittleRules (direct from the publisher).

Read about the book

10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad: Learn, Grow and Reclaim Your Power … at Work and in Life

This book helps readers clarify their career decisions, know themselves better, and get unstuck faster.

It features 10 true stories that illustrate how each career decision shapes who we are, what we do, and how we live our lives.

Readers relate to the stories and the lessons learned (rules), then use the journal prompts to reflect on solutions to create their own rules for more job satisfaction.

We take every job, assuming it is a good one, yet at any point, our intuition tells us something has changed. It could be the organization or us. Regardless, only we can fix our work and our lives. This book helps you do that.

Rules (chapter titles)

Rule 1…Know Your “Now or Never” Moment

Rule 2…Claim Your Power

Rule 3…Go Lateral

Rule 4…Observe, Don’t Absorb

Rule 5…Align Interests and Skills

Rule 6…Leverage Boredom

Rule 7…Forgive Yourself the Unknown

Rule 8…Rise Above the Noise

Rule 9…Bet on Yourself

Rule 10…Embrace Uncertainty

Hear recent interviews

Online for Authors podcast interview with host Teri M. Brown on Apple, YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio

The Stories of Service (S.O.S.) podcast interview with Theresa Carpenter on LinkedIn, YouTube, Parade Deck, Spotify and Apple.

The Career in Technicolor podcast interview with Baiba Wisse on  Facebook, X , Apple, Spotify, RSS feed.

The Career Flipper podcast interview with Jenny Dempsey on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, Instagram.

Schedule an interview

Upcoming events

December 12, 2024 – Meet the Author: Kathleen Goggin
Cascades Library, 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls, VA, 7 – 8 PM
Free, open to the public.

December 14, 2024 – Special Presentation by Kate Goggin to the
Rust Library Writing Group

380 Old Waterford Road Northwest, Leesburg, VA, 3 – 5 PM
Free, open to the public.

January 17, 2025Speaker/Panelist, “Authors Answer Your Questions About Publishing”
Roanoke Regional Writers Conference
Hollins University, Roanoke, VA, 8:15 – 9:00 PM.
Panel members Betsy Ashton, Kate Goggin, Debbie Seagle, and Dan Smith. Four Virginia-based authors will share their path-to-publishing stories and discuss how RRWC energy contributed to their successful projects. Conference attendees will learn about traditional, self- and independent publishing, and everything in between.
Private event. Open to conference attendees only.

January 26, 2025Author Talk and Book Signing with Kate Goggin at Yoga Six (Kingstowne) Book Club
5920 Kingstowne Town Center, Suite 100, Alexandria, VA, 4 – 5 PM
Private event. Open to Yoga Six members only.

March 13, 2025 – Writing Workshop: Plain Language Writing Tips and Tricks
Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Road NW, Leesburg, VA 20176,
Time: TBD
Free, open to the public

Read reviews

#250 in Work Life Balance in Business Category on Amazon as of Nov 17, 2024.

a unique blend of engaging storytelling and insightful advice. Professionals at all stages of their careers can find inspiration and value in this helpful guide.” Richard Sammon, Writer, Editor and Commentator, Kiplinger, Congressional Quarterly, CNN, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, MSNBC, FOX, Former National Press Club President

Difficult career choices and job environments can lead to self-doubt and paralysis. This wise, honest and deeply personal book points the way forward from stagnation to growth.” Patricia Linderman, Well-Being Coach for Women, Co-author, The Expert Expat, and Co-editor, Realities of Foreign Service Life 

Professional Coaches will embrace this book…each story defines ‘work traps,’ lessons learned, and strategies to help clients create their own rules. The guided journaling format, reflective questions, and resource list will help every reader reinvent their career.” Natalya Pestalozzi, PCC, MAPP

“10 Little Rules When Good Jobs Go Bad by Kathleen Goggin takes a hard look at changing jobs, what it looks like, what it means, and when you might consider the switch. I love how Kathleen seasons the book with her work history story, allowing us a peek into her decisions, both good and not so good.

“My favorite rule was “Leverage Boredom.” When Kate’s job no longer challenged her, she became bored. However, rather than just accept boredom, or spend time scrolling social media reels, she took a technical writing certification program. As Kate states, “I always advise people they should learn something new if their job search is in neutral.” This certification paved the way for the next stepping stone in her career. As a semi-retired author, I wish I had this book earlier in life. Knowing that, I think I’ll buy several copies for my children in hopes of helping them navigate this area of their life. Well-done, Kathleen!” Teri M. Brown, author and host of the Online for Authors podcast

Build trust with clear and concise text.

Accomplish goals and reach more clients.

Improve skills and communicate better.

Clients and partners say…

Thank you Kate for being a tireless professional and helping us communicate accurate and timely information to the public! It was a pleasure working with you.

Web Content Manager, NOAA