Services
I offer a culturally sensitive approach to promoting inclusion, diversity, representation and own voices, bringing together my lived experience and more than three decades in the collaborative crafts of writing and editing.
I am especially keen to offer editorial support for writers of colour, writers on the margin and writers seeking to change the world… one word at a time.
I provide manuscript assessment, editorial services, training and coaching to assist emerging and experienced authors in preparing their work for submission and publication.
Manuscript assessment
For emerging writers, professional writers and academics who need an objective, professional opinion on their manuscript’s readiness for publication (or editing).
I have been a manuscript assessor for the Australian Society of Authors since 2023. Working across fiction, creative non-fiction and formal narrative genres, I specialise in historical fiction, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, romance, science fiction and speculative subgenres.
I’ve been a judge of literary, research and other awards and prizes, including the prestigious ARA Historical Novel Prize 2023.
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A manuscript assessment (MA) is a careful, considered professional reading of the completed manuscript. I provide a report giving an overview of the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses, its readability and suitability for the target reading audience/s.
In a work of fiction, the MA report might cover what’s working (and not) in the story, focusing on elements such as narrative style, structure, flow and pacing, speech and dialogue, plot and subplot, character development and setting (e.g. world-building).
For a non-fiction manuscript, the MA report looks at the structure and organisation of the text, photos/images and ideas, and the author’s use of research. It comments on the author’s writing style and, where relevant, ways to improve engagement with the subject matter, such as options for presenting complex information.
The MA may highlight specific areas for improvement, or may recommend developmental editing (for fiction), structural editing (for non-fiction), line (style) editing and/or copyediting to prepare the manuscript for submission to a publisher or literary agent.
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$660 for up to 20,000 words
$1000 for up to 50,000 words
$1125 for 50,001 to 60,000 words
$1250 for 60,001 to 70,000 words
$1375 for up to 70,001 to 80,000 words
$1500 for 80,001 to 90,000 words
$1625 for 90,001 to 100,000 words
For 100,001 words or more, add $110 per 10,000 words (or part thereof)
*Add 10% GST
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You will receive a report of 1000 to 3000 words, including recommendations and suggested next steps.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
Crossover works
Crossover works include academic publications (such as research reports, monographs and theses) and professional publications (such as guidelines and protocols) that are repurposed for new geographic markets and reading audiences.
A crossover work might be a PhD thesis developed for sale as a:
general trade book (e.g. adult fiction, non-fiction or reference work sold in bookshops)
guide or workbook for professionals in sectors such as education, health and social work
self-help book
young adult novel
children’s book, with accompanying materials such as posters and workbooks.
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This service provides an assessment of the original manuscript (e.g. the academic thesis or draft monograph) and recommendations for how the author might go about restructuring and rewriting it to suit the new audience/s.
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$750 for a manuscript of up to 60,000 words
$875 for a manuscript of 60,001 to 70,000 words
$1000 for up to 80,000 words
$110 per 10,000 words (or part thereof) for 80,001 words or more
*Add 10% GST
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You will receive a written report with recommendations about how you might approach a revision of the structure, style and presentation to suit the new reading audience.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
“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
★★★★★
“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 ★★★★★
Developmental editing in fiction
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Developmental (or substantive) editing is an in-depth process to improve the structure, content and presentation of your fiction manuscript. The editorial focus is on the major narrative elements of story, such as:
plot and subplot(s)
themes and narrative/character arcs
narrative pacing and flow
voice, register and point of view
characterisation and character development
writing style, tone and presentation (e.g. chapter/part titles, author notes)
… and more.
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When you supply a copy of the manuscript, I will provide an editorial review that sets out the scope of the work, an indicative schedule and a quote or estimate for your approval prior to commencement.
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You will receive an editorial letter outlining the main problems, including recommendations for major and minor revision. I also provide guidance within the manuscript (using the Comments and Track Changes functions of MS Word) to highlight problems and possible solutions.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
Structural editing in non-fiction
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Structural (or substantive) editing is an in-depth process to improve the structure, content and presentation of your non-fiction manuscript. The aim is to ensure optimal organisation, depth and placement of content (text, photos, figures, reference materials etc.) across the work, so that your target reading audience can make the most of the information, recommendations and resources provided.
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When you supply a copy of the manuscript, I will provide an editorial review that sets out the scope of the work, a proposed schedule and a quote or estimate for your approval prior to commencement.
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You will receive an editorial letter outlining the main problems, including recommendations for major and minor revision. I also provide guidance within the manuscript (using the Comments and Track Changes functions of MS Word) to highlight problems and possible solutions.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
Style/line editing
Style editing is also known as ‘line editing’. It aims to ensure the text and images (where relevant) match the author’s voice and writing style, as well as readers’ expectations of the book. Style editing is an essential step in preparing a manuscript for self-publication, or for submission to a publisher or literary agent.
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The aims of style editing are to:
Improve the overall quality of the work at the scene, paragraph, sentence and word levels.
Ensure the tone and register are appropriate for the target reading audience, while maintaining the author’s unique writing style.
Enhance readers’ engagement through refinement of elements such as the author’s voice and style, narrators’ and characters’ voices, and internal and external speech or dialogue.
Where relevant, identify potential problems (and solutions) in representation, such as the characterisation of diversity. For more on this, see Sensitivity reading and editing.
Eliminate unnecessary repetition and redundancy in word usage, phrases and ideas.
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When you supply a copy of the manuscript, I will provide an editorial review that sets out the scope of the work, an indicative schedule and a quote or estimate for your approval.
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The care and attention to detail that comes with more than three decades of professional editing: a focus on style, rhythm, tone, syntax and word choice.
Style edits are done directly on the manuscript, using the Track Changes functions in MS Word, so you can consider whether to accept or reject the recommended edit.
I use Comments to highlight recurring problems and possible solutions for the author’s consideration.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
Copyediting
The main task of copyediting is to polish a text for maximum effect. Copyediting should occur after all developmental/structural and style editing (line editing) has been completed. Copyediting is often undertaken in the same ‘pass’ (round or stage of editing) as a style/line edit, depending on the state of the manuscript and the needs of the author.
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The aims of copyediting are to:
Improve the overall quality of the work.
Clarify and enhance expression.
Promote reader engagement.
Ensure consistency and continuity within the parts or sections of the work, and as a whole.
Eliminate unnecessary repetition and redundancy in word usage, phrases and ideas.
Ensure the text complies with the chosen or required style guide, reference and/or dictionary authority.
Correct errors at the sentence and word levels, including vocabulary, syntax, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
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When you supply a copy of the manuscript, I will provide an editorial review that sets out the scope of the work, an indicative schedule and a quote or estimate for your approval.
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Careful and precise attention to detail to ensure clarity and flow, and consistency with your chosen style guide, reference and/or dictionary.
Copyedits are done directly on the manuscript, using the Track Changes functions in MS Word, so you can consider whether to accept or reject the recommended edit.
I use Comments highlight recurring problems and possible solutions, and where necessary to explain the reasoning for a particular editorial intervention or approach.
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Allow 3–4 weeks for a standard 80,000-word manuscript.
Preparation for submission
When you have done all you can to ensure the manuscript is the best it can be, and you declare it is ready for submission, I can help.
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I can prepare a draft, or edit and/or finalise the materials you need to submit your manuscript to a publisher or literary agent.
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Depends on what is needed, submission deadlines and my availability.
$125 will get you a 50-minute consultation (by phone or on Zoom): we might discuss publishers and/or agents who may be suitable/interested in your work and their submission requirements, what you can to do prepare, how I can help and associated costs.
*Add 10% GST
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I can draft (or edit/polish) your draft:
query letter
pitch
sample chapter/s
chapter summaries
synopsis
publishing proposal (for non-fiction).
I can also help you to practise your pitch with a one-on-one videocall.
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Depends on what is needed, submission deadlines and my availability.
“I’m really thrilled with Renée’s assessment of my manuscript, including her prompts for deeper thinking, her critiques of some aspects of the representation, feedback on maintaining the reader’s sense of hopefulness, and concrete suggestions about tightening up some other aspects of the writing. This has been a really helpful exercise for me and I’m inspired to get to work on responding to the many suggestions.”
- Julienne van Loon, Independent author
★★★★★
“I’m really thrilled with Renée’s assessment of my manuscript, including her prompts for deeper thinking, her critiques of some aspects of the representation, feedback on maintaining the reader’s sense of hopefulness, and concrete suggestions about tightening up some other aspects of the writing. This has been a really helpful exercise for me and I’m inspired to get to work on responding to the many suggestions.” - Julienne van Loon, Independent author ★★★★★
Coaching
Coaching is widely used in business, sports and other disciplines to support individuals, teams and organisations to reach their potential. Usually, coaching takes the form of a structured conversation that leads to a measurable outcome.
There are many different definitions of coaching – I operate according to the definition of Standards Australia:
COACHING
A collaborative endeavour between a coach and a client (an individual or group) for the purpose of enhancing the life experience, skills, performance, capacities or wellbeing of the client. This is achieved through the systematic application of theory and practice to facilitate the attainment of the coachee’s goals in the coachee’s context.
HB332-2011 Coaching in Organizations, Standards Australia
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I provide a range of coaching services, including:
Book coaching for novice, emerging and experienced writers
Career coaching for editors
Skills development and Performance coaching for individuals and teams.
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$125 gets you a 50-minute ‘discovery’ meeting by videoconference to work out a plan to meet your goal/s for your book or your career.
Coaching sessions $165 per hour.
6-session and 10-session discount packages (valid for 12 months) available upon request.
*Add 10% GST.
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Coaching offers a wide range of benefits for the individual, team and organisation.
The immediate benefits of coaching include boosting confidence, improving work performance and building effective communication skills.For individuals, coaching offers:
opportunity to define (or redefine) career goals
increased engagement in the workplace
a safe space to gain perspective and explore sensitive issues
a deep foundation for learning
support for acquisition and improvement of key skills such as delegation, communication, persuasion, conflict resolution and team building.
For teams and organisations, coaching offers:
improved employee engagement
improved communication
enhanced relationships between employees, teams and management
increased productivity
support for identification and development of high-potential individuals
demonstrated commitment to career development
increased morale and staff retention.
For leaders and managers, coaching offers:
opportunity to uncover hidden strengths and weaknesses
a safe space to gain perspective and explore sensitive issues
encouragement towards new insights and perspectives
challenge towards free thinking, flexibility, creativity and innovation
enhanced performance
improved communication
empowerment towards exceptional work.
I use a range of models, methods, techniques and strategies, tailored to suit the needs of the individual, team and/or organisation. These reflect my own philosophy and ethos, which are founded on strength-based psychological principles, evidence-based models of adult learning and a commitment to excellence.
I support and comply with the International Coach Federation’s (ICF) Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct. Accordingly, I commit to maintaining, storing and disposing of any records, including electronic files and communications, created during our coaching engagements in a manner that promotes confidentiality, security and privacy, and complies with applicable laws and agreements. Please refer also to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
I can work with you to develop a keynote presentation, a one-off workshop or a training program to introduce and support your team in developing a diverse and inclusive mindset, editorial approach, culture and/or work process.
Workshops, lectures and seminar presentations
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Past workshops, seminars, guest lectures and presentations have included conference workshops for editors, writers, university students at masters’ level, researchers and executives in the corporate environment.
Topics have included:
How to assess a manuscript’s readiness for publication (or submission)
How to edit a manuscript – developmental/structural editing, style/line editing
Masterclasses in editing fiction: romance, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, science fiction and subgenres such as romantasy, sci-fi romance etc.
Masterclasses in editing trade non-fiction – narrative non-fiction, self-help and reference
Masterclasses in editing life writing – biography, autobiography, autofiction, heritage fiction
Ethical approaches to editing academic texts – research reports, PhD theses, thesis-by-publication etc.
New and emerging opportunities for freelance editors
How to commission a freelance editor or illustrator when you’re an in-house editor
Sensitive approaches to ensuring authenticity, diversity, inclusion and representation with respect to age, gender diversity, cultural and national diversity, religious and ideological diversity in texts
Writing sensitively about history for contemporary readers
How to cultivate a trauma-sensitive approach to writing or editing (fiction or non-fiction).
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By application.
See the Australian Society of Authors website for a guide to recommended rates.
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Depending on the topic, an evidence-based, professionally prepared and engagingly delivered lecture, or presentation, of 1 hour’s duration; or a workshop of 2+ hours; or a program of workshops/classes.
"Thank you so much for this manuscript assessment. Of course I loved your positive feedback but your valuable critical analysis is most appreciated as well. I am in the process of going through it in detail."
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Annie Crowe, Independent author
"Thank you so much for this manuscript assessment. Of course I loved your positive feedback but your valuable critical analysis is most appreciated as well. I am in the process of going through it in detail." • Annie Crowe, Independent author
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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 a 50-minute consultation, payable in advance (excluding GST).
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A range of genres for adults and young adults
Fiction: contemporary fiction, crime fiction, historical fiction, romance and science fiction genres, 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, family history, organisational history
Academic and education: humanities and the social sciences; monographs, research reports, masters/doctoral/PhD theses
Crossover works: from academic to adult or young adult readers; from academic reference to general trade and coffee table books
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Natural/physical sciences such as astronomy, geology, meteorology studies, mathematics, physics and chemistry
Poetic genres, including lyric, narrative and dramatic poetry
Narrative works involving religion, horror, extreme/explicit violence, hate speech
Annual reports, organisational reports, corporate documents
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Yes – see this page.
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No – contact Life Stories Australia Ltd to find someone in your state or territory.
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I can help you prepare your manuscript for self-publishing, or to submit to a publisher or literary agent.
I can provide advice on how to find a publishing home for your manuscript.
I can help you prepare a package of documents for submission to a publisher or agent.
I can assist you (one-on-one) to prepare for an in-person pitch.
Unfortunately, I cannot introduce you to a publisher or literary agent, nor can I submit the manuscript on your behalf.
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Yes! Contact me to discuss your project.
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