Ellen O’Brien
writer / editor / tutor


editing
i am an IPEd accredited editor with several years of experience, having previously worked as:
  1. the Editor-in-Residence for the Faber Writing Academy at Allen & Unwin, 
  2. a junior editor at the Sydney Review of Books, and 
  3. an editor at The Writing Zone program at Western Sydney University.

as a freelance editor, i have worked on projects for places like Allen & Unwin, Ultimo Press, UQP, Copyright Agency, Fremantle Biennale and Powerhouse Parramatta. i have also edited judgments, journals, articles, book chapters and submissions to Parliament in my previous work in the legal world.


as i’m also a writer, i am highly sensitive to how confronting and emotional the editing process can be, particularly for projects that are deeply meaningful and touch on personal topics. as such, i always treat my editing work as a conversation first and foremost, treating it as a collaborative process between writer and editor with the aim to make the project the very best it can be. 

how can i help you?

do you need someone to help clarify, refine and give you feedback on a: 
  • short work of fiction, nonfiction or poetry,
  • full-length work of fiction or nonfiction,
  • academic thesis,
  • business report, or
  • grant proposal? 

if so, there are a few ways i might be able to help.


structural editing

after many hours of effort, you've finally completed a first draft. now what?

it might be time to get a fresh set of eyes on your writing - someone who can help you analyse your writing to determine who the audience is and ensure that your project will meet its intended purpose.

this service includes:
- thorough and detailed feedback on big-picture elements of your work, such as character development, pacing, plot, tone and the order and overall structure of your project
- feedback on whether any additional material or rewriting is required

interested? please fill out my contact form and i’ll be in touch with a quote.


copyediting

you've been drafting and re-drafting, and your project is starting to feel more complete. now is the perfect time for a copyeditor to provide feedback on the parts of your project that could be clarified, enhanced or otherwise improved.

this is a more detailed and time-intensive service that involves:
- clarifying expression and flow of text e.g. removing ambiguity, wordiness and needless repetition, and ensuring clear and logical connections between phrases, clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections
- ensuring correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation
- ensuring appropriate use of style and tone

interested? please fill out my contact form and i’ll be in touch with a quote.


proofreading

the finish line is in sight! you're at the final stage of your project, and now you want to make sure you've dotted every i and crossed every t.

this is a quick but precise service that includes checking for:
- completeness and consistency of all elements of the manuscript
- correct use of grammar, spelling and punctuation
- consistency in use of language, style elements and layout.

interested? please fill out my contact form and i’ll be in touch with a quote.





where you can find me

email
instagram
newsletter

acknowledgment of country

i mostly work from the lands of the Bidjigal people in south-west sydney, and i offer my respects to their Elders past and present for their ongoing nurturance and care. this is, was and always will be Aboriginal land.