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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
- Poetry
- Short stories
- Screenplays
Non-fiction
- Biography
- Memoir
*Please note: we no longer edit self-help books.
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.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.
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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.
Angela – Editor
Angela is an Accredited Editor of the Institute of Professional Editors, has a BA (Hons) Linguistics and English, TESOL Certificate, Diploma of Editing and Publishing, Macleay.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading,
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Angela loves exploring language, in all its glorious forms. She’s happiest when reading and surrounded by books, pages and paper, and gets excited by masterfully crafted narratives. Angela likes to carefully consider the integrity and credibility of a manuscript, then offer respectful and constructive feedback to help an author meet their goals.
Favourite genres: literary fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, speculative, young adult, history, biography, classics, travel, reference, cookery, popular psychology, self-help.
Does not edit: horror, erotica.
Connie – Editor
Connie is fully qualified freelance editor with a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing, RMIT.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing and screenplay editing.
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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.
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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.
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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, 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.
Heather – Editor
Heather is an Accredited Editor with over 25 years experience, a writer and ghostwriter. She has a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing, RMIT, plus a BA in psychology, and is a qualified (though non-practising) counsellor.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.
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Heather is passionate about helping people tell their stories, particularly in the areas of memoir, biography and self-help. She was managing editor at Hardie Grant Publishing in Melbourne, and John Brown Publishing in London, prior to going freelance in 2003. Heather is on the board of Life Stories Australia and is a member of the Institute of Professional Editors and Writers SA.
Favourite genres: memoir, biography, self-help.
Kelsey – Editor
Kelsey is a qualified freelance journalist and editor with BA Hons (English and Linguistics); Subbing and Indesign course w/ Alliance/Walkley Foundation Training for Journalists; Professional Editing and Proofreading Course, The Sackville Academy.
Specialisations: Developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.
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Kelsey spends the majority of her time reading fantasy novels and studying fitness. As former Managing Editor of Cosmopolitan magazine – and lifelong girl power advocate – Kelsey’s primary interest is in stories with female lead characters, with the odd bit of erotica, including fantasy, science fiction, paranormal erotica, YA, plus romance, chick lit and literary fiction.
Favourite genres: fantasy, science fiction, paranormal erotica, YA, traditional and contemporary romance, chick lit, literary fiction.
Does not edit: Crime, horror, biographies, non-fiction.
Lainie – Editor
Lainie is an experienced manuscript assessor and developmental editor 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, Developmental editing.
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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.
Lauren – Editor
Lauren is a qualified editor and Professional Member of the Institute of Professional Editors, holding a Graduate Certificate of Editing and Electronic Publishing, Macquarie University, where she won the course prize for outstanding achievement.
Specialisations: Assessments, copy/line editing, proofreading.
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Lauren has a curious and analytical mind, a love of language, and a passion for books. She is a part-time editor with a background in law. This experience gives her an eye for detail, as well as an ability to see the big picture.
Lauren works with non-fiction and fiction writers and has experience writing technical documents, creative non-fiction, blogs and social media. Her love of a good story led her to start a book club, which helps her read a wide variety of genres. Lauren is constantly developing her writing and editing skills, and is also a Member of Writers SA.
Favourite genres: general fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, crime and mystery, fantasy, science-fiction, YA, non-fiction history, biographies and memoirs, true crime, self-development, educational.
Does not edit: horror, erotica, romance.
Liz – Editor
Before becoming a full-time writer, Liz taught in the creative arts field for 22 years. She also has a PhD in Creative Writing. Liz writes all kinds of fiction, including Sci Fi, historical and horror. Her debut novel was short-listed for Mslexia Magazine’s unpublished novel competition in 2013, becoming a talking book in 2014, and a paperback in 2015. Liz’s second novel ‘Iteration’, a composite Sci Fi story, was on the submissions list for the Arthur C Clarke Award 2018. Her third novel is a genre-bending fusion of dystopian, historical, Sci Fi and literary fiction.
Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing.
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Liz believes that the mechanics of fiction are identical whether you’re writing literary, genre, or hybrids, and that the same principles can be applied to improve a manuscript regardless of its subject matter or style.
Favourite genres: genre hybrids, historical fiction, and anything weird and wonderful which pushes boundaries, music history (Western Classical tradition/folk/rock), Wicca/paganism, and the supernatural.
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.
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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.
Nikki – Medical Assessor
Nikki has over thirty years qualified nursing experience, working in emergency, midwifery, paediatrics, tropical medicine, plus aid work in South Sudan. Nikki also has a BA Comparative Religions, SOAS, University of London, and MA Cultural Studies (Writing for Children), King Alfred’s College, University of Southampton.
Specialisations: Healthcare/treatment logic in fantasy and contemporary story settings.
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Nikki has published a number of short stories in magazines and anthologies, is currently working on a YA fantasy trilogy and was recently short-listed for a Wheeler Centre Hot Desk. She reads widely and loves historical non-fiction. In her spare time, Nikki does improv, art, and occasional extra work in film and TV.
She is a member of SCBWI, Writers Vic, and ASA.
Sumudu – Assessor
Sumudu completed her Writing, Editing and Publishing studies at Curtain University. She has also studied manuscript assessments with Editors SA, plus undertaken further developmental and copy/line editing courses. Sumudu has a background in biomedical science and has a PhD in Biological Sciences.
Specialisations: Assessments
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As a book addict, Sumudu is passionate about words and the power of stories in our lives. A part-time editor, Sumudu is strongly committed to preserving a writer’s style, voice and creative insight in every project she works on.
Favourite genres: literary fiction, fantasy, YA, crime, mystery, romance, chick-lit, historical fiction and general fiction.
Does not assess: sci-fi, horror, dystopia, self-help.
Terence – Assessor
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
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Terence believes there’s no value to either cruelty or dishonesty in providing assessments. He understands that writers inject a lot of emotional well-being into their work, but also that readers look for quality above all else. He sees his role as closing this gap between writer and reader expectations in a supportive but honest environment.
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.