Select List of Recent Publications

As author

“Catwalk This Way,” Acuity magazine, September 2015

“A Dream of Goldfinches,” Best Australian Science Writing 2012, NewSouth Publishing (anthology)

As coauthor

Gratitude: A Positive New Approach to Raising Thankful Children by Dannielle Miller and Vanessa Mickan (2014) Inlumino (parenting)

Mahboba’s Promise by Mahboba Rawi and Vanessa Mickan (2005) Random House Australia (memoir)

As ghostwriter

3 business books
2 celebrity biographies
2 parenting books
1 women’s self-help book
1 popular-culture theory book

As editor

The Birdman’s Wife by Melissa Ashley (2016) Affirm Press (literary fiction)

The 6-Week Money Challenge by Steve Repak (2016) BroadStreet Publishing (personal finance)

Women I’ve Undressed by Orry-Kelly (2015) Random House Australia (memoir)

Reservoir Dad by Clint Greagan (2014) Random House Australia (memoir)

All Good Things by Sarah Turnbull (2013) HarperCollins Australia (memoir)

Twists and Turns by Matthew Mitcham (2012) HarperCollins Australia (memoir)

Sideways on a Scooter by Miranda Kennedy (2011) Random House (memoir)

Becoming Queen Victoria by Kate Williams (2010) Random House (history)

How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming by Mike Brown (2010) Random House (popular science)

The Butterfly Effect by Dannielle Miller (2009) Random House Australia (self-help/parenting)

Party Favors: A Novel of Politics and Greed (2008) Nicole Sexton and Susan Johnston, The Lyons Press (fiction)

Boom! Voices of the Sixties: Personal Reflections of the ’60s and Today (2007) Tom Brokaw, Random House (popular culture/history)

Professional Experience

Freelance Editor, Ghostwriter   August 2006–present

Milford, Connecticut, USA

• Ghostwriting, developmental editing, copyediting, book doctoring

Genres include memoir, current events, popular culture, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult and children’s fiction, children’s picture books, fantasy, parenting, true crime, self-help, business, personal finance, history, military history, town planning, environmental issues

• Corporate website writing and editing
• Corporate blog ghostwriting and editing
• Manuscript assessment
• Writing of marketing and promotional material
• Writing of query letters and publishing proposals

Senior Editor   2002–July 2006

Random House, Sydney, Australia

• Wrote a biography of humanitarian Mahboba Rawi, Mahboba’s Promise, published in 2005 by Random House Australia
• Performed developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading of nonfiction and fiction
• Acted as a consultant on libel and copyright

Managing Editor       2000–2002

Random House, Sydney, Australia

• Supervised a team of 10 project editors who were responsible for approximately 200 adult trade books per year
• Ensured the smooth, timely, and cost-effective running of the department
• Ensured that all materials produced by the department, including final proofs, picture sections, book jackets, and catalogs, were free from error
• Recruited new editorial staff and developed editorial training programs

Editor – Nonfiction    1998–2000

Pan Macmillan (Holtzbrinck), Sydney, Australia

• Performed project management, developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading
• Wrote cover copy, and sales and marketing material

Public Relations Account Manager    1996–1998

Horizon, Sydney, Australia

• Developed and managed communication strategies for clients including environmental groups, political think-tanks, and organizations representing health professionals
• Wrote media releases, speeches, reports, and brochures

Senior Editor – Illustrated Books       1995–1996

HarperCollins, Sydney, Australia

• Project-managed a high volume of large-format, four-color cookbooks, natural history guides, and health, architecture, and sport and recreation books
• Performed developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading

Senior Editor   1993–1995

Butterworths, Sydney, Australia

• Received formal training in copyediting, proofreading, and legal research
• Project-managed four publications each month on legislative changes and case law

Public Relations Coordinator  1990–1993

Guide Dog Association, Sydney, Australia

Publisher’s Assistant   1990

Custom Book Company, Sydney, Australia

 

Education

Master of Arts (Writing)         1995–1998

University of Western Sydney, Australia

Bachelor of Arts (Communication)   1987–1990

University of Technology, Sydney, Australia