Hi, I’m Jane. I guess I should tell you a little about me. Brace yourself!
I’m Australian and always will be – the accent cannot be denied. It seemed right to name my business after my hometown.
I’ve been reading almost all my life (thanks, Mum!) – indeed I feel lost without a book. I read, on average, 3 books (300+pp) per week and still can’t believe I have managed to successfully turn my passion into my profession. It’s taken a long time for me to realise just what I WANT to do, and now I’m kicking myself I didn’t do it sooner.
My love of editing started in Australia many moons ago, but 33 South Textworks encapsulates all my knowledge and experience, focused now on perfect text – whether it be business documents, theses, websites or stories.
As an Executive Assistant for just shy of 30 years, all but 2 of those years being at Board / C-Suite level, I worked in a large variety of industries on two continents, editing all kinds of documents and websites as part of my day to day role. Recently I realised that I’ve been editing, in one form or another, for most of my working life. All my office jobs involved it, even if it was simply sharpening text with a better word.
And I find I mentally edit whatever I’m reading – occupational hazard?
My most recent experience is with memoirs, fiction and novella fiction, training courses, marketing materials, conference materials and websites. Though I have also edited Academic / Scientific articles for journal publication, theses and dissertations for students.
Science Fiction and Fantasy are my preference, along with dystopian and exploration, though I’ll pick up anything that takes my interest, including; travel, horror, historical, biography/memoir, naval history, war, romance and even encyclopaedias. I also dig a good thriller, procedural or forensic. I review books for Blog Tours, and also if I come across something I think others would really enjoy.
That’s what it’s all about, after all – a love of storytelling. Right?
Collecting arrows from a 3D target
My editing training includes in-house with a publisher, The Publishing Training Centre, University of Queensland online, online (CPD verified) courses and courses run by highly experienced editors – mentors who are happy to share what they know.
Reading (of course!), travelling about and experiencing new things, film/theatre, and I occasionally go out and loose some arrows. Thanks to all those years with my nose in a book, I’m a font of useless knowledge and shine in a pub quiz.
I am a qualified First Aider, Fire Warden and Health & Safety Officer (mainly because no-one else in the office would volunteer!). I do book reviews on my blog, and on NetGalley.
As a member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (formerly the Society of Editors and Proofreaders), the American Copy Editors Society, and the Society of Virtual Assistants, I adhere to their Codes of Conduct.
I’m also a member of the British Fantasy Society, the British Science Fiction Association, and Archery GB.
For VA work, I’m registered as a Data Controller with the ICO and hold Professional Indemnity insurance from Policy Bee.
My various policies are as follows:
