Michele Perry

Michele Perry – Editor

An editor of all genres, having worked for indie and trade publishing clients for 20 years, my expertise is developmental and copyediting!

Overview

The world needs your words, and I am here to help you get them out there!

I am a book editor who has project managed, structurally edited, copyedited and proofread hundreds of adult and children's non-fiction, narrative non-fiction, fiction and educational products for editorial service agencies and publishers such as The University of Queensland Press, Hardie Grant Books, Murdoch Books, New Holland Publishers, and Macmillan, to name a few.

In addition to this, I have worked with indie authors all over the world, assisting them in perfecting their stories and guiding them on their publishing journeys, be it self-publishing or trade publishing. So, I know my way around all the particular spelling styles for both AU/UK spelling and US spelling, as well as being familiar with the CMoS, Oxford, and Wiley style guides.

I pride myself on the collaborative relationship I instil between myself and the author, and I do all I can to make the 'editorial process' as enjoyable, enlightening and effortless as possible.

MY EYES ARE YOURS ... and I offer manuscript assessments, developmental edits, copyedits and proofreads all for a very affordable price. And if you want more information or a sample of how each of these editorial services can help, just let me know!

Together we can perfect your plot, nail your narrative and create characters that burst from the pages, because that is what editing is all about - working 'together' to create the book of your dreams.

If we go on this editorial journey together, I can guarantee that your story will be ready for the world - and we will have a wonderful time bringing your story to life!


REVIEWS/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:


'Firstly, I would like to thank Michele, my fantastic editor. Without your help, guidance and advice, this book would not be what it is today. I will always remember your crucial contributions and the way you went above and beyond to help as much as you could.'

Michael McDermott - 'In the Name of the Father'


'First thank you in this book has to go to my amazing editor, Michele, whose comments like ‘LOVE THIS!!!’ made me smile during a really dark time. And of course, those comments like ‘I thought he went back to the mainland?’ are the only reason this book now has fewer pesky plot holes.'

T J Withers Ryan - 'Fire Warriors on the Mountain'


'As an author, it’s imperative to have a trusted editor work with you to bring your story to life. Michele has a natural gift for helping an author perfect their words. Her attention to detail, expertise in all things editorial, and her passion and dedication made working with her such a joy. She also greatly assisted me in navigating the publishing world successfully – a winning combination to have as a first time author. I look forward to working with her again on my next book!'

O S Fiderro - 'Deep Inside the Museum'


'I have reviewed the edited manuscript and can't thank Michele enough for the wonderful work she has put in. It's made it so much better; my appreciation is boundless. Michele, you really are an amazing editor!'

J M Williams - 'Reborn'

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Children's Coming of Age Fantasy
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Business & Management Children’s Non-Fiction History
Languages
English (AUS) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Edited three Whitley Award-winning books – Amazing Facts about Australian Wildlife Conservation, Wild Guide: Bats, Australian Wildlife
  • Edited a Notable Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards –Amazing Facts about Australian Wildlife Conservation
  • Edited the winner of the Best Illustrated Whitley Award – Growing Up with Australian Birds
  • Edited a Shortlisted Book in the Children’s Book Council of Australia Awards, Eve Pownall Award – Fact File: Australian Deadly and Dangerous Animals
Certifications
  • Graduate Diploma in Editing and Publishing – University of Southern Queensland
  • Certificate in Freelance Writing and Photography – Australian College of Journalism
  • Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing – Queensland University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Arts majoring in English, Communications, and Ancient History – University of Queensland

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2009 — Present

Currently, I am working as a freelance editor, proofreader and manuscript assessor working on numerous fiction and non-fiction titles for private clients, as well as for the University of Queensland Press, Hardie Grant, and Murdoch Books.

I assess, edit, proofread and project manage the development of adult and children’s non-fiction and fiction manuscripts. I also assist authors with self-publishing and work on various marketing plans and promotional campaigns for authors and publishing companies.

University of Queensland Press

Jan, 2013 — Jan, 2014 (about 1 year)

This role included managing the children's department and publishing 24 titles - so overseeing the development from manuscript to printed book.

I also structurally edited, copyedited and proofread 15 titles.

The genres included picture books, middle-readers, young adult and new adult fiction and non-fiction titles. Several titles won prestigious Australian publishing awards.

My favourite book, which I copyedited, was Pip Harry's 'Head of the River'. It was Longlisted in the State Library of Victoria’s Gold Inky award, and Shortlisted in the Adelaide Festival Literary awards.

Macmillan Education Publishers

Jan, 2012 — Jan, 2013 (about 1 year)

I organised and co-ordinated all of the Primary Department titles to fruition.

This role focused on booking and briefing freelance copyeditors and proofreaders, as well as briefing illustrators and designers and organising their contracts and invoice payments.

I copyedited, proofread, checked page proofs and production copies for numerous primary fiction and non-fiction titles as well as sales and marketing material.

I also trained and supported the trainee editor in all aspects of editing and publishing. The year I worked here, Macmillan won Primary Educational Publisher of the Year!

New Holland Publishers

Jan, 2011 — Jan, 2012 (about 1 year)

I received such wonderful training in this role and learnt to project manage various publishing projects from concept to printed product, brief freelance copyeditors and proofreaders as well as designers, copyedit and proofread non-fiction adult and children's manuscripts.

Steve Parish Publishing

Jan, 2005 — Jan, 2012 (about 7 years)

This was where it all began ... and I spent many years managing the editorial department, completing copyedits, proofreads, final edits and making changes to InDesign files or Word documents using track changes, creating and checking complex indexes, writing and editing marketing material, such as book blurbs and catalogues, writing captions and text as required for product, managing the SPP Style Manual, checking digital proofs and marking up corrections, briefing freelance editors for a copyedit or proofread job, making freelance mark ups to the InDesign file, and training and managing in-house editors, interns, freelancers in all aspects of SPP editing/publishing. And this was where I worked on my first award-winning titles, and I felt so very proud!

This was the role that proved to me that I had found my calling in being an editor!

Portfolio

The Summer of Kicks

Hackett, Dave

Sandy Feet

Buick, Nikki

Am I French Yet

Petersen, Kate

Delusions of Anubis

Turner, C. R.

Mantra 6: Brimstone

Hutchings, Russel

Michele has 9 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Mark T.

Mark T.

Sep, 2024

Michele was terrific to work with on every level. Her easy going, but extremely professional style made what could be a fraught experience a truly memorable one. I was incredibly impressed with how well Michele was able to dissect my work and add extraordinary value by guiding me along story telling and writing structure trails that I didn't even know existed. Michele is obviously a gifted wri...
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Michele P.
Thank you so much, Mark! I am thrilled to learn that you found my guidance helpful and the experience memorable – I do understand how daunting the whole process can be and endeavour to ensure tha...
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Alison W.

Alison W.

Aug, 2024

The edits were clear, helpful and encouraging. Would work with Michele again.
Michele P.
It was an absolute pleasure to work on your manuscript, Alison! I was so impressed with what you created and wish you all the best with it. I have no doubt that many readers will be thoroughly ente...
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Brett G.

Brett G.

Jan, 2024

Michele is very helpful. Her comments on writing style pointed me in the right direction. She made explicit comments that guided me to understanding my novel and what needs improved. She applied the correct styling that I will use and incorporate. Her edits were thoughtful and direct and added a nice flow to my writing. I highly recommend her. I look forward to working with her in the future.
Michele P.
Thanks so much, Brett! I really appreciate the opportunity to work on your chapters, and I would so welcome the chance to work on future chapters - I am keen to see where your story goes. I really ...
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Phillip R.

Phillip R.

Nov, 2023

Michele provided me with an excellent editorial assessment. I found her to be responsive and informative, and her work really gave me a sense of where I was at with the book, particularly around some of the more technical elements which I really needed and appreciated. I would recommend Michele to any budding book writer or more serious advanced writer in the future. I would absolutely work wit...
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Michele P.
Many thanks for your kind words, Phillip. I am overjoyed that you found my assessment helpful, and I would be more than happy to assist with any additional advice in future - anytime. It will be f...
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Jo-Anne O.

Jo-Anne O.

Nov, 2023

Thank you Michele for your help with my novel, all the best, Regards Jo-Anne

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