Editing in Paradise runs workshops offering a unique approach. We understand how hard it is to write. We know you need persistence and passion. And, reflection.
You might be the only person who ever sees your work. You persist and struggle (all writers do) and then, when you’re ‘done’ you probably need a break from it.
Then you’ll need to draft and redraft to bring your manuscript up to scratch for publishing. You’ll need to dive deep to find its strengths and gems. We are your faithful diving buddies.
Please see Workshops and Retreats for detailed information for upcoming events. And for frequently asked questions … FAQ
Meet your mentors
Shelley Kenigsberg is a prominent freelance editor, writer and trainer who’s worked in publishing for over 30 years. She works in most genres (except scientific books) for publishers (Penguin Random House, Murdoch Books/ Pier 9, TAFE NSW, McGraw-Hill, Brandl & Schlesinger among them); with writers who are doing their own independent publishing (self publishing), and with commercial and government organisations. Her favourite? Being editor/writing mentor and the privilege of working on a diverse and fascinating list of projects. Recent projects include researcher/ ghostwriter on two memoirs.
In-house to start, Shelley was with Harcourt Brace, Harper Collins, then John Wiley, and Macquarie University. Since 1998, she’s been freelance as proprietor of S K Publishing, in Sydney.
Shelley was Head of Macleay College’s Book Editing and Publishing Diploma for 26 years; she leads long and short courses in editing and writing. She presents at literary festivals and writers’ centres in Australia, Indonesia, Singapore.
She has been an active member of state and national editing societies (president, NSW society 2000–‘03; vice president ‘03–‘06) and chaired committees for the Institute of Professional Editors (IPED), Australia.
David Leser is a multi award-winning journalist and author of six books, whose most recent memoir To Begin to Know: Walking in the Shadows of My Father was shortlisted for the 2015 Australian National Biography Award. David’s latest book (to launch in August, 2019) is Men, Woman and the Whole Damn Thing.
He has served as senior feature writer for The Australian Magazine, The Bulletin, HQ, Good Weekend, the Australian Women’s Weekly, as well as Middle East, European and North American correspondent for international publications.
David is an author, journalist, essayist, biographer and historian whose work covers politics, society, culture, business and profile writing. He is also the Executive Producer of the award-winning Australian documentary Paul Kelly: Stories of Me.
Based in Sydney, David also works as a public interviewer, guest lecturer, mentor and speechwriter.
Hear from Shelley Kenigsberg as she talks to acclaimed journalist, Caroline Baum.
What does MENTORING really offer
Listen to the conversation with acclaimed writers’ consultant, Alison Manning, of A Mind of One’s Own, about working as a writing mentor.