WordWoman

Freelance writer, book editor, magazine editor, copyeditor, proofreader, author, journalist, publisher, and manuscript consultant. Past clients include the Australian Museum, the American Museum of Natural History, the University of Sydney, Cambridge Scholars Press, Macquarie Library, Collins, Macmillan, Bay Books, the Sydney Maori Festival, Mistymoon Mountain books (Sydney), Island Heritage (Honolulu), the College of Business Administration and the School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies of the University of Hawai’i at Manoa (Honolulu), Word Keepers, Inc. (Colorado), The Counsellors and Psychotherapists Association of New South Wales, as well as individual clients in numerous locations worldwide.

Expertise includes all aspects publishing – concept, writing, editing, design, layout, art direction, project management, pre-print production, and printing – of books, both fiction and non-fiction, in a wide variety of genres and subject areas, and of magazines including CQ: The CAPA Quarterly (Journal of the Counsellors and Psychotherapists Association of NSW), Natural History magazine (New York) and Australian Natural History magazine (Sydney). Edited website for North Kohala Artists’ Cooperative. Author of both fiction and non-fiction books and articles.

Have worked with writings by Indigenous authors and those whose first language is not English, with biographies, memoirs, history, and philosophy and travel. Much experience with self-help and natural history titles, including commissioned writing by mass market publishers; have also written brochures, leaflets and other publicity material for corporate and other clients and have edited a wide range of both fiction and non-fiction.

Widely travelled and familiar with many cultures. Have taught English composition, English pronunciation for non-native speakers, drawing, and Polynesian languages.

Qualifications: JD, BA [Polynesian Languages] (Phi Beta Kappa), BA [Communications/Speech/Drama]

Computer capability: Mac by preference / PC if necessary. Word, Acrobat Pro 8, Pagemaker, Ventura, Quark, InDesign.

Services offered: Commissioned writing, editing (on screen and hard copy), developmental editing, structural editing, copyediting/subediting, proofreading, research and writing, manuscript assessment and development, ghostwriting, project management, plain English rewriting, media/public relations, training. Can work in-house or via e-mail with attachments.

Type of material: Full length works, fiction in many genres, poetry, general non-fiction; biography, history; travel; popular presentation of scientific material; scholarly theses & treatises, legal writings, academic manuscripts, annual reports, biography, newsletters, journal and magazine articles, annual reports, conference proceedings, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, general reference books scripts (drama, film), training materials, children's books, gardening, crafts, lifestyle, self-help, cookbooks, press releases, PR material/brochures.

Subject specialities: Popular fiction, literature, law, history, natural history, psychology, religion, spirituality, philosophy, social & political issues, biography, autobiography/memoir, business, lifestyle, health, indigenous/ethnic issues, natural sciences, travel and guide books, visual and performing arts, film, music, food, travel, environment, mature age issues, social concerns.

Special skills/interests: Can quickly grasp new subject matter and concepts and express complex ideas in plain, easily accessible language; able to work amicably and productively with authors and clients; excellent interviewer and feature writer; can transform dissertations into books for a general audience.

Professional associations: Australian Society of Authors, Society of Editors (NSW), New South Wales Writers’ Centre (Mentor)