Policy Information

Institutional payment arrangements are available by prior agreement.

Booking, Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy

I understand that sometimes life changes the story—and plans have to change with it. My goal is to be as flexible as reasonably possible while also protecting the time reserved specifically for you or your organization.

Private 1-to-1 Coaching & Consultations

Private Zoom coaching and consultation sessions are paid in full at the time of booking.

Need to reschedule?
No problem. Please provide at least 24 hours' notice, and your payment may be transferred to one new appointment date at no additional charge.

Cancellations with at least 48 hours' notice:
You may choose either a refund of your session fee or transfer the full amount to a future session.

Cancellations with less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours' notice:
Your session fee may be transferred to one future appointment but is not refundable.

Less than 24 hours' notice or a missed appointment:
The session fee is generally forfeited and a new session must be booked and paid separately.

I understand that genuine emergencies happen. Exceptional circumstances will always be considered individually.

Zoom Workshops & Virtual Group Programs

Virtual workshops and group programs require payment according to the terms provided when the program is booked.

If the organization needs to reschedule, I will make every reasonable effort to move the program to another mutually agreeable date.

Cancellation 14 or more days before the program:
Any amount paid above the booking deposit will be refunded.

Cancellation fewer than 14 days before the program:
Payments made toward the program are generally non-refundable but may, at my discretion, be applied toward a rescheduled program.

In-Person Workshops, Storytelling Appearances & Author Events

A booking deposit is required to reserve an event date. The remaining program fee is due according to the terms provided at booking.

If the hosting organization cancels:

30 or more days before the event:
Any program fees paid beyond the booking deposit will be refunded.

15–29 days before the event:
The booking deposit is retained, and any remaining program fees paid may be transferred to a rescheduled event held within the following 12 months.

14 days or fewer before the event:
Program fees are generally non-refundable because the date has been reserved and other appearance opportunities may have been declined.

Whenever possible, I would much rather reschedule your event than cancel it.

Travel Expenses

Travel arrangements and expenses will be discussed and approved before an in-person engagement is confirmed.

Any non-refundable travel expenses already incurred on behalf of an event—including airfare, lodging, transportation, or other prearranged travel costs—remain the responsibility of the hosting organization if the organization cancels the event.

Whenever possible, refundable or transferable travel arrangements will be used.

Weather & Circumstances Beyond Our Control

Sometimes neither the author nor the host is responsible for a cancellation.

Severe weather, dangerous travel conditions, natural disasters, significant transportation interruptions, government restrictions, venue closures, serious illness, or other circumstances beyond either party's reasonable control may make an event impossible or unsafe.

In those situations, every reasonable effort will be made to:

reschedule the event, convert the program to Zoom when appropriate, or find another solution agreeable to both parties.

If Kathleen Must Cancel

Your commitment to an event matters to me, and mine should matter to you.

If I must cancel a coaching session, workshop, or appearance and we cannot agree upon a new date, all program fees you have paid to me for the canceled service will be refunded.

For an in-person event, any additional responsibilities involving travel arrangements will be handled according to the terms agreed upon when the engagement was booked.

Institutional Payment Policies

I understand that libraries, schools, universities, municipalities, and other organizations may be required to use purchase orders, vendor systems, or established payment schedules.

Institutional payment arrangements may therefore be accommodated when agreed upon in advance.

Reserving Your Date

An inquiry does not reserve an appearance or workshop date.

Your date becomes officially reserved once the required booking agreement has been completed and the applicable payment or deposit has been received, unless other arrangements have been approved in advance.

Questions? Just ask.

My goal isn't to make booking complicated. It's to make sure we both know what to expect—so once the details are taken care of, we can concentrate on the best part:

telling stories.