Patrice Shaw
A trusted publishing partner for independent and first-time authors
Patrice has a remarkable genre breadth, with strong repeat-author relationships. Patrice offers first-time author mentoring, publishing guidance, and substantiated successful outcomes. This is an established, specialised editorial and self-publishing consultancy for independent Australian authors – much more than editing and proofreading.
Why I became an editor
“It took me a while to discover what I wanted to be when I grew up – an editor. After many years working with words, I realised that editing was where my strengths and interests truly lay.
Words have always been my thing. Talk numbers at me and my eyes glaze over. So I returned to university to gain postgraduate qualifications in editing and publishing, then completed a mentorship program with Editors Queensland.
After several years editing a magazine for a writers’ group, I moved into freelance editing and proofreading. I love the variety of working on projects ranging from memoirs and fiction books to business publications and websites. I particularly enjoy working with first-time authors, helping them bring their books to publication.”
Genres
Short story anthologies
With multiple authors, anthologies benefit from an editor’s trained eye to ensure consistency.
Young adult fantasy novels
A very popular genre with the over-12 age-group. It’s important to use the right language to keep these readers engaged.
Children’s books
These include varying sub-genres such as picture books, easy readers and early chapter books which are age-specific. Age-appropriate language is key.
General fiction
The tone of a novel needs to appeal to as wide an audience as possible.
Memoir
Often these books are intended for a niche audience of family and friends and only need a light edit.
Self-help
It’s essential to strike the right balance between informing the readers and keeping them engaged.
History
Editors of history books can help with fact checking.
Primary audiences
Self-publishing authors | Memoir writers | Family history writers | Fiction/novel writers | Children’s book authors | Retired professionals writing legacy stories | Writers seeking publishing guidance
Testimonials
“Patrice Shaw respects the writer. It shines through all her dealings and makes her a joy to work beside. She brings a high level of editorial expertise to a project, while at the same time having the humility to continue listening, learning, querying and suggesting as part of a team.
You will find that she is diligent, professional and very effective, with the ability to pick nuance and subtlety in drafts. When she queries the way the text is written, you can sense the insight, the encouragement to produce something better, and that you are working together as a team. In the frugal world of writers, Patrice gives very good value for money.
I have no hesitation in recommending Patrice Shaw to any writer who is looking for an expert editor with gentle interpersonal skills and supportive persistence.“
Jim Reay, Author, The Chess Board
“Patrice Shaw recently edited my memoirs, (over 300 pages) and I am very appreciative of her friendly but professional approach to her work. Having been the writer or co-writer of five international selling books with different publishers, including Cambridge University Press, I can state without qualification that she has been the best editor, (efficient, thorough, professional) with which I have worked.
Thanks Patrice and I look forward to working with you in the future.”
Patrick Duignan Professor Emeritus
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts (media studies) Griffith University
Grad Cert in Editing and Publishing University of Southern Queensland
Mentorship program with the Society of Editors (Qld)
Institute of Professional Editors Australia
Editors Queensland
Patrice Shaw is an independent qualified Brisbane editor:
Co-editor Offpress – Editors Queensland
Editor Scope magazine – Fellowship of Australian Writers Qld
Editor Seeing More magazine – Multiple Birth Association
