Hello, I’m Renée

My vision is an inspired world in which words and ideas inspire knowledge, understanding, peace, joy and harmony.

Whether you’re here for just a minute or are a frequent visitor, you can always expect a warm welcome and the very best professional services I have to offer.

Scroll down for a brief introduction – for more detailed information, follow the links at the top of the page, or click here for FAQs.

Renée Otmar is a leading professional writer and editor of books and journals for publication.

MEMBER OF...

Honorary Life Member of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd)

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Australian Society of Authors

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Writers Victoria

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Certified Coach of the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership

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MEMBER OF... Honorary Life Member of the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) • Australian Society of Authors • Writers Victoria • Certified Coach of the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership •

Renée Otmar provides manuscript assessment, editorial and professional development for writers and editors of trauma narratives.

Renée Otmar provides manuscript assessment and editorial services to assist authors and publishers with content authenticity, diversity, inclusion, representation and access.

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AWARDS

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Janet Mackenzie Medal, IPEd (2022)

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Distinguished Editor, IPEd (2008)

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Honorary Life Member, IPEd (2000)

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AWARDS ★ Janet Mackenzie Medal, IPEd (2022) ★ Distinguished Editor, IPEd (2008) ★ Honorary Life Member, IPEd (2000) ★

  • "Your reports are of such a high standard and I'm grateful on behalf of our authors that you put so much effort into them."

    Kate, Australian Society of Authors

  • "Renée Otmar's report has greatly assisted me in focusing on the inconsistencies in my work. This story has been a long time in the making. I feel fortunate to have had an editor of Renée's experience offer an accurate and encouraging critique of my story and my writing, assisting me to revisit my work with fresh eyes.

    Annette McQuarrie, Fiction author

  • "Renée has been working with Cambridge since 1999 and is a valued member of our freelance team. She develops a strong rapport with authors and her editing is insightful and thorough."

    Jodie Fitzsimmons AE and Alison Dean, Director, Content Operations, and Content Operations Manager (Academic), Cambridge University Press

  • "I undertook coaching with Renee during the early stages of re-entering the workforce as an editor. I was unsure of my goals for my business, but with Renée’s patient approach I managed to form a much clearer view of my goals and priorities."

    Kim Wilson, Insight Editing

  • "Renée Otmar came to us highly recommended so we engaged her to edit our Humans in Geelong book. We highly recommend Renée to anyone looking for an experienced and professional editor, and look forward to working with her again."

    Jacqui Bennett, Founder and Coordinator, Humans in Geelong

  • "Being completely new to writing, and having skipped a few steps in the process, I am extremely grateful I was referred to Renée. She didn't just work on my manuscript. Renée worked on it with me, mentoring me through the entire process of self-publishing."

    MRZ, Independent author

  • "Working with Renée to finalise my PhD thesis was a very clear and easy process. She brought a lot of experience and was totally calm and professional at what I had expected to be a stressful time. It made a big difference to both the experience of submission and the quality of my final thesis."

    Anne Duncan, College of Science, Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University

  • "Renée Otmar’s Marketing Your Freelance Editing Business [eBook] is a game changer. It changed the way I ran my editing practice, by giving me the tools to imagine, plan and strategise a business that served my needs and the needs of my clients. It is the one resource that I consistently recommend to those looking to build a sustainable and fulfilling freelance editing business."

    Carolyn Leslie, IPEd-accredited editor, author and academic

  • See the Services page for information about manuscript assessment, developmental editing, structural editing and assistance with crossover works.

    Sensitivity reading and editing

    Training and professional supervision for writers and editors working with Trauma narratives

    Book coaching for writers and career coaching for editors – Contact me for details

  • Yes! You’re very welcome to give me a call – contact me to arrange a convenient time. We can chat by phone or videocall (Zoom).

    The first 10–15 minutes is on me (free of charge).

    If you would like further advice on your project, the fee is $125 for an hour’s consultation, payable in advance.

  • A range of genres for adults and young adults

    Fiction: contemporary fiction, crime fiction, historical fiction, romance, science fiction, speculative fiction and subgenres such as romantasy and sci-fi romance

    Non-fiction: narrative non-fiction, self-help, professional reference/guides, coffee table books, travel guides

    Life writing: autobiography, biography, autofiction, heritage fiction, organisational history

    Academic and education: humanities and the social sciences; monographs, research reports, doctoral/PhD theses

    Crossover works: from academic to adult and young adult readers; from academic reference to general trade and coffee table books

  • No. Contact Life Stories Australia Ltd to find someone in your state or territory.

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Renee Otmar Consultancy, writer, researcher, editor, trainer and accredited coach