Catherine L. Coates has authored three books, a set of inspirational cards, and two short stories. She is an active member of A Writing Room which supports her in her goal to write a poem a day. A Writing Room is a consortium of over 700 writers who work together for support and learning opportunities about the craft and business of writing.

Catherine spent four and a half years in a Christian cult. Upon leaving, she began a search for something in which she could believe that would support her faith. As a result of this search, she left Christianity, and is a member of the First Universalist Society of Rochester. She also finds a home at a Jewish Renewal shabbat service.

Currently, she is writing a collection of essays, Confessions of a Born-Again Heretic, where she reworks tenets of Christianity. Catherine is an ordained interspiritual minister, and a trained spiritual counselor.

She lives in Fairport, NY with Steve Martin, her husband of 42+ years, Carys Coates Martin, their daughter, and a pomapoo pup, Gala.