Meet Our Book Editors and Assessors

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.

Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.

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

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.

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.

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.

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,

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, screenplay editing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Jane – Editor

Jane is an Accredited Editor with the Institute of Professional Editors. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours), majoring in genetics and a Postgraduate Diploma of Professional Writing.

Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing, line/copyediting, proofreading.

I’m a professional editor and passionate reader with a science background and extensive experience working with authors. Growing up in country Victoria in a house full of books, I read whatever I could get my hands on: classics, teen fiction, spy novels, crime, family sagas. Lately I’ve grown to appreciate memoir and nonfiction for their windows into time, place and social history.

Favourite genres:

Fiction: action, comedy/satire, crime, dystopia, fantasy, general, historical, LGBTQI+, literary, magic realism, mystery, NA, paranormal, sci-fi, spec-fic, thriller, women’s fiction, YA.

Non-fiction: biography, cookery, educational, history, medical, memoir, philosophy, politics, psychology, religious, science, self-help, spiritual, technical, true crime.

Does not edit: gratuitous violence, sexual abuse, child abuse, erotica.

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.

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, developmental editing.

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 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.

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.

Liz M – Editor

Liz is a novelist and editor with a PhD in Creative Writing. She works with select international literary agencies to accelerate the submission process for writers of talent. Liz covers all genres from SF and fantasy to historical fiction, women’s fiction and memoir. A niche interest is advising graduates of Creative Writing programmes (both MA and PhD) how to commercialise projects which have achieved their academic award but have been subsequently turned down by literary agents

Specialisations: Assessments, developmental editing.

Liz believes that the mechanics are similar 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, SFF, historical, the supernatural, anything weird and wonderful which pushes boundaries, music history (Western Classical tradition/folk/rock), Wicca/paganism, memoir, and self-help.

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: Developmental editing, copy/line editing, proofreading.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

A member of IPED, Sumudu is a freelance editor who completed her Writing, Editing and Publishing studies at Curtain University. She has also completed further structural editing and copy/line editing courses and is a professional manuscript assessor with Editors SA.. Sumudu has a background in biomedical science and has a PhD in Biological Sciences.

Specialisations: Assessments

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

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.

AJC Publishing - Manuscript Editing Services

AJC Publishing - Manuscript Editing Services

Our team of professional book editors and assessors

Genres covered

Fiction

Fiction

Non-fiction

Our editors and assessors