Our team of professional book editors and assessors
AJC Publishing was established in 2014 and has since expanded to a team of more than twelve editors and thirty beta readers.
Our professional editors are all fully qualified, experienced individuals who come from a broad range of backgrounds. Each editor brings substantial editing skills to their chosen specialisations in book editing and short story editing.
We assess, edit and proofread a wide array of genres and are all avid readers and/or writers who feel privileged to work with clients passionate about writing.
Genres covered
Fiction
- Literary
- Historical
- General women’s
- Romance
- Crime
- Thriller
- Action
- Mystery
- Children’s
Fiction
- Speculative
- Fantasy
- Science Fiction
- Dystopia
- Horror
- Supernatural
- Comedy
- Short stories
- Screenplays
Non-fiction
- Biography
- Memoir
Our editors and assessors
AJ – Managing Editor
AJ is an Accredited Editor of the Institute of Professional Editors, a published author and a fully qualified freelance writer with an Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing, RMIT. Currently only taking manuscripts under 60K words.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.
Read more
AJ is a trusted and experienced editor of fiction and creative non-fiction (memoir and biography). Approachable and understanding of writers’ sensitivities, AJ enjoys helping authors lift their writing to the next level by providing gentle but firm guidance on reaching a book’s full potential.
AJ is also passionate about continually expanding her skills and knowledge and participates in regular editing and writing masterclasses. As a recipient of a placement in the 2016 Hardcopy ACT Fiction professional development program, AJ was able to develop her own YA novel to a publishable standard. In her spare time, AJ is a professional vocalist, MC and voice over artist.
Favourite genres: general fiction, literary fiction, women’s fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, spec-fic, dystopia, domestic noir, crime, thriller, romance, YA, creative non-fiction, memoir.
Does not edit: Middlegrade, picture books, non-fiction other than memoir.
Adam – Editor (Currently unavailable)
Adam is an accredited member of the Institute of Professional Editors, with an Bachelor of Editing and Publishing USQ.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing.
Read more
Since joining his first writing group in 2013, Adam has fallen in love with the editing process. So much so that in 2020 he quit his teaching job (where he taught writing as part of the curriculum) to focus full-time on editing as a profession. Since then he has completed a post-graduate Certificate of Editing and Publishing from USQ.
Adam also regularly takes part in training courses to keep his skills up to date and is currently working towards his professional accreditation with IPEd.
Favourite genres: general fiction, YA, children’s, crime, thriller, spec-fic, sci-fi, dystopia, fantasy, comedy/satire, educational/instructional.
Does not edit: religious / spiritual
Amara – Editor
Amara is a freelance editor who studied a Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing at UQ. She also has qualifications in law (LLB) and arts (BA majoring in German and Criminology) from UQ.
Specialisations: Assessments, proofreading.
Read more
Amara loves stories in all of their various forms and has always been a passionate reader and writer. Since finishing her studies and beginning work as an editor, she brings that same passion to every story she comes across.
Amara regularly takes part in training and professional development courses to ensure that her skills remain current.
Favourite genres: Action, children’s, comedy/satire, crime, dystopia, erotica, fantasy, general, historical, LGBTQI+, literary, magic realism, mystery, NA, paranormal, romance, sci-fi, spec-fic, supernatural, thriller, women’s, YA, art, biography, business, cookery, educational, finance, history, medical, memoir, philosophy, poetry, politics, psychology, science, self-help, spiritual, technical.
Does not edit: Horror, anything with gratuitous violence or physical abuse, religious, true crime.
Anne-Marie
Anne-Marie is a New Zealand-based editor with a Diploma in Editing and Proofreading (New Zealand Institute of Business Studies), Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism (Massey University), Bachelor of Arts majoring in social anthropology and religious studies (Massey University). Anne-Marie has also completed Proofreading modules 1 and 2 (Society for Editors and Proofreaders) and copyediting modules 1 and 2 (Editorial Freelancers’ Association).
Specialisations: Copyediting, proofreading
Read more
Anne-Marie has a passion for non-fiction works, in particular: memoir, spiritual and self-help genres. She has worked with many first-time authors and understands that trusting a stranger with your work can be daunting. Her purpose is to help guide your manuscript closer to a publishable standard.
Favourite genres: Religious/spiritual, self-help, philosophy, memoir, creative non-fiction. Also happy to work on politics, history, finance/business, art, travel.
Does not edit: Fiction.
Favourite authors: I tend to read by genre rather than author, but some I’ve enjoyed are Nimue Brown, Emma Restall-Orr, Bill Bryson, Brene Brown.
Am I an author? As a former journalist I’ve had my work published many times.
Hobbies: Reading, swimming, cooking, gardening, Scrabble, pub quiz
Connie – Editor
Connie is fully qualified freelance editor with a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing, RMIT.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, screenplay editing.
Read more
Connie has a background in YA editing and reviewing. Connie was also recipient of a placement in the 2016 Hardcopy ACT Fiction professional development program, which included access to masterclasses in writing and the publishing industry.
Connie is a member of the Institute of Professional Editors, Writers Victoria and the Australian Society of Authors. She regularly attends professional development seminars on editing and writing and is passionate about ongoing education. Connie also has many years’ experience as a social worker.
Favourite genres: general fiction, YA, middlegrade, picture books, fantasy, thriller, sci-fi, contemporary realism, romance, memoir.
Does not edit: extreme graphic violence, paedophilia.
Edwin (Ted) – Editor
Ted is an accredited editor with the Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) and is an Honorary Life Member of that organisation and of the Canberra Society of Editors. He was awarded the 2021 Janet Mackenzie Medal from IPEd for excellence in editing and contribution to the profession.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing.
Read more
Ted has the utmost admiration for the courage it takes to write a novel and finds it enormously satisfying to support an author on their journey, whatever stage they are at. One of his strengths is putting himself in the shoes of both the reader and the author. And using this empathy to help the author produce a work that will achieve their goals as well as those of the readers.
He is passionate about continually increasing his skills and regularly attends professional development workshops and seminars on editing and writing.
Ted has had a lifetime involvement in theatre and music both as audience member and practitioner, so appreciates what keeps an audience member/reader engaged in a story.
Favourite Genres: Crime, true crime, thrillers, historical, humour, fiction, horror, speculative fiction.
Does not assess: Romance, fantasy.
Florence – Editor
Florence studied Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT, then went on to complete a MA in creative writing. She holds a postgraduate diploma in communication and editing from Melbourne University.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.
Read more
Florence is a true word nerd. After graduating from her studies, she developed a passion for editing, discovering that she loves helping people develop their writing to really speak to people.
She’s been happily working as a writer, editor and translator since, with a particular passion for developmental editing and manuscript assessments. She is especially fond of YA fiction.
Favourite Genres: YA, crime, action/adventure, sci-fi, spec-fic, dystopia, fantasy, urban fantasy, supernatural, horror, self-help.
Does not edit: extreme (sexual) violence, sexist, racist, religious leaning content.
Lainie – Editor
Lainie is an experienced manuscript assessor who has completed multiple courses in editing, business writing, web writing, plus grammar and style. She also graduated from Griffith University and UQ with a Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science), and postgraduate qualifications in GIS and environmental education.
Specialisations: Assessments
Read more
Lainie is curious, creative and loves reading, researching and learning. She has attended a multitude of writing and editing courses.
Holding a Certificate III in both Horticulture and Parks & Gardens, Lainie freelances in bushcare, commercial nursery, environmental education, water quality and laboratory settings, as well as providing systems testing, webpage administration.
Lainie also produces numerous government technical documents, a local Catchment Association’s newsletter, plus writes and edits reviews and web content.
Favourite genres: Fiction: historical, crime, mystery, general fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, chick lit. Non-Fiction: historical, biographies, science, educational reference, medical reference.
Does not assess: erotica, overly religious or spiritual self-help, horror.
Liz C – Editor
Liz is an Accredited Editor of the Institute of Professional Editors and holds a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing, plus two PhDs. She hung out her shingle as an editor in 2017, specialising in academic writing, non-fiction, fiction and business writing.
Specialisations: Copyediting, Proofreading.
Read more
Since childhood, when Liz read books instead of playing with toys, she has been fascinated with knowledge-gathering and communication. As an adult, she gained tertiary qualifications in hospitality management, accounting, fine arts, languages, literature, legal geography, environmental history, and editing. Liz ran an accounting business for 18 years to 2016, selling it to concentrate on completing a PhD that investigated the urgent problem of how we can, do, and could/should value water. She still reads books instead of playing with toys.
Favourite genres:
Non-fiction: Academic, history, art, poetry
Fiction: General fiction, literary, thriller, crime, mystery, comedy/satire.
Does not edit: Erotica, romance.
Melita – Editor
Melita is an Accredited Editor of the Institute of Professional Editors and holds a Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing (Macquarie University). Melita also has a Master of Arts by research into Indonesian Literature (UTAS)
Specialisations: Copy/line editing, proofreading.
Read more
Melita finds language (English and other languages) vitally interesting, and enjoys the nuances that writers use to reveal their stories. As a lifelong language learner herself, Melita enjoys and has solid experience working with writers for whom English is not their first language. She also enjoys the connections she makes with authors through the editing journey.
Favourite genres: General fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, crime, sci-fi, spec-fic, dystopia, short stories, memoir, children’s fiction.
Does not edit: Horror, erotica, gratuitous violence, child abuse.
Merridy – Editor (retiring Dec 2027)
Merridy is a compassionate editor who helps clients develop effective, clear and beautiful writing. Her editing approach is informed by academic studies in English literature, Education and Psychology, plus diverse experience as an indie author, poet, artist and desktop publisher.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing.
Read more
Merridy enjoys working on the structural elements of books, whether fiction or non-fiction. Knowing how words, typography and visual design work together gives her a unique perspective on manuscript development.
Favourite genres: General fiction, women’s fiction, YA, children’s books, poetry, comedy, non-fiction personal development.
Does not edit: Violence, erotica, horror.
Nicole – Editor
Nicole has an MA in Creative Writing, and runs writing programs and workshops for adults and young people. She currently teaches Writing at Deakin University and Swinburne.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing.
Read more
Nicole is an award winning author and podcaster with a background in editing and journalism. Her novels for Young Adults have received wide acclaim, including literary prizes and shortlistings.
In 2016, she co-edited an anthology of non-fiction for adults and has collaborated on children’s fiction and non-fiction books. She’s written opinion and features for The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, and The Griffith Review, among others, and previously taught Creative Writing at University of Melbourne.
Favourite genres: general fiction, literary fiction, YA romance, general YA, crime, thriller, dystopia, fantasy, memoir, history and art essays.
Does not edit: adult romance, sci-fi, self-help, gratuitous violence.
Terence – Editor
Terence is an indie author and book reviewer with a Master’s of Writing and Literature, and a Bachelor of Archaeology (hons). He publishes through his personal website, podcast and Aurealis Magazine, which has given him wide exposure to the best and worst of the current science fiction and fantasy markets. His qualifications in archaeology and writing/literature give him a unique perspective on effective worldbuilding and an eye for the details that make a fictional world both vibrant and real.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing
Read more
Terence is currently working towards novel-length releases and prefers to work with science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, urban fantasy and wider speculative fiction.
Favourite genres: science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural, urban fantasy and wider speculative fiction.
Does not assess: erotica, general fiction, YA, non-fiction.