In the vibrant literary landscape of Adelaide, book editors play an integral role in shaping stories, honing voices, and refining narratives. As a city that fosters creativity and a rich culture of reading and writing, Adelaide is home to an impressive pool of talented book editors. Whether you’re an emerging author looking to polish your debut novel, or an established writer seeking a fresh pair of eyes for your latest manuscript, these top 8 book editors in Adelaide possess the expertise, experience, and editorial insight to bring your literary vision to life.

Let’s delve into our list and find the perfect editing partner for your writing journey.

1. Tina Morganella

Tina Morganella is a highly accomplished academic copy editor and proofreader with a specialty in business and humanities. Her diverse experience spans from copy editing and proofreading academic and nonfiction books to working with established and new writers on short stories and debut novels. Tina’s clients hail from all over the globe, and she has edited for esteemed journals, showcasing her international reach and quality of service. Notably, Tina also boasts an MPhil in Creative Writing and accreditation from the Institute of Professional Editors. With a stellar review praising her timeliness and excellent feedback, Tina is a top choice for editing services in both academic and fiction projects​.

2. Garima Sharma

Garima Sharma is a seasoned editor with over a decade of experience in the field, offering developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading services. She specializes in STEM editing, including books, research papers, and theses, and has collaborated with prestigious publishers such as Macmillan, Elsevier, Springer, and Cengage. With a unique educational blend of a Masters degree in Biotechnology and an MBA in Finance and Marketing, Garima is adept at handling scientific content across various subject areas. Her multifaceted expertise extends to coaching students through their grad school admission processes, helping them craft impactful application essays, SOPs, and resumes. Fluent in several English dialects, she has a proven track record of providing high-quality services to clients worldwide​.

3. John Mahony

John Mahony is an expert editor with over 20 years of experience specializing in History, Politics, Arts/Literature, and nearly all non-fiction subjects​. John has a diverse background, having worked with many publishers, university faculties, journals, and government departments, offering his copy editing and proofreading services​. His notable clients include Allen & Unwin, LexisNexis law publishers, ANU Press, and Sydney University Press, among others​. His impressive portfolio showcases his work on a broad range of topics, including cultural studies, history, and law​. As a professional on Reedsy since October 2022, John brings his substantial expertise and meticulous eye for detail to every project​.

4. Jane Smith

Jane Smith is a versatile freelance editor, author, and librarian with a keen eye for detail. Her repertoire spans across various genres including children’s books, fiction, non-fiction, and history. She has a solid background in editing and publishing, coupled with years of experience working in schools and public libraries. This vast experience has honed her understanding of what readers truly enjoy.

She offers an array of editing services, from developmental editing to proofreading, and her work as an author makes her uniquely sensitive to an author’s needs. Jane’s prior work includes editing for Big Sky Publishing and the University of Southern Queensland. She is also an award-nominated author herself, with several books that have been shortlisted or long-listed for prestigious awards, including the Australian Book Industry Award and the Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year Award. A glowing testimonial from one of her satisfied clients highlights her ability to improve both the manuscript and the writer.

Her experience as a librarian and archivist at Concordia Lutheran College has equipped her with the skills to work closely with students and teachers, further strengthening her understanding of readers’ preferences and needs. If you’re looking for an editor who will work closely with you, paying attention to detail and listening to your concerns, Jane is the one for you.

5. Sam Cooney

Sam Cooney is an expert manuscript developer and editor, with a focus on literary fiction and nonfiction, as well as general/popular fiction and nonfiction. Praised for his compassionate mentorship and deep commitment to each story, Sam empowers authors to refine their work while preserving its core essence. His straightforward and confident approach to the editorial process has garnered trust from authors, helping them to achieve their vision for their books. Authors have also applauded Sam for his meticulous attention to detail, timely delivery, and understanding of the publishing industry. His strong support for unique and underrepresented literary voices inspires authors to pursue future publishing opportunities with more confidence.

6. Linden George

Linden George is an accredited editor with 20 years of experience in the field, specialising in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Her impressive portfolio boasts a range of clients, from large publishers like Wiley and Macmillan, to community kindergartens and individuals​. Linden offers copy editing and proofreading services, with a notable skill set in non-fiction genres such as biographies, memoirs, education, and psychology​. She has been praised by authors for her attention to detail, delivering error-free and publication-ready work, even under short notice​. Linden holds a Master of History, a Graduate Diploma in Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, all of which contribute to her comprehensive understanding of her clients’ needs.

7. Sally McInnes

Sally McInnes is an award-nominated editor specializing in information books for adults and children, with a strong focus on environment, animals, science, and education. With a rich background in environmental conservation, animal management, and education, she brings her expertise to developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading. Among her key achievements is the nomination for the 2021 Eve Pownall Award for Information Books. Leveraging her Master’s Degree in Agriculture (Animal Science) and qualifications in Writing, Editing and Education, Sally aims to ensure your content is clear, logical, and accessible to your readers while preserving the author’s unique voice.

8. Emma Driver

Emma Driver is an accomplished editor with almost two decades of experience, specializing in non-fiction genres such as memoirs, music biographies, and how-to guides. She offers a range of services from structural and developmental editing to copy editing and writing. Driver has a keen interest in a diverse array of subjects such as music, history, and psychology, enabling her to connect deeply with your book’s content. With a roster of clients including award-winning podcast producer Siobhán McHugh and ‘The Thesis Whisperer’ Professor Inger Mewburn, Driver prides herself on building respectful author-editor relationships that ensure the best outcome for your text. Besides her independent projects, she held a role as Project Editor at NewSouth Publishing for over six years. A professional member of Australia’s Institute of Professional Editors Limited, Emma Driver is poised to help craft your story with expertise and precision​.

In the dynamic world of literature, having a skilled editor in your corner can make all the difference. Each of the Adelaide-based book editors listed here brings a unique approach and expertise to the table, providing invaluable support to authors and contributing significantly to the local literary scene.