Editor

‘You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you.
And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke.’ – Arthur Plotnik 

Selected work:

Here is a selection of past projects.

Handing Over: Reflections and advice for young doctors

Dr Charlie Corke (Erudite Medical Books)

Imagine you’re just starting out as a doctor, making the transition from medical school to internship and the years beyond. You have the knowledge but, like many junior doctors, may feel underprepared for the work environment. This has always been a challenge, but this generous and wise mentor helps by sharing his lifetime of experience. As I edited this thoughtful assemblage of anecdotes, examples and practical advice, I was  inspired and humbled.

Rethink Property Investing: Become financially free with commercial property investing, 2nd edition

​Scott O’Neill and Mina O’Neill  (Wiley)

I edited the fully updated edition of this honest, no-nonsense book filled with practical examples, personal stories, expert advice and real-world information for residential property investors looking to go to the next level, or experienced investors seeking a more advanced approach to commercial property, 

 

The Female Investor: Creating wealth, security & freedom through property

Nicola McDougall & Kate Hill  (Wiley)

Did you know that one in three Australian women retire with no super? And that women who do manage to save may still wind up with less than half the retirement funds of their male counterparts? I edited this detailed guide to staking your claim on the property market.

 

Stop Playing Safe: How to be braver in your work, leadership and life

Margie Warrell  (Wiley)

It was great to work with this best-selling author, commentator, and coach editing the thoroughly updated 2nd edition, addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The message was still the same: take calculated risks and learn how to deal with anxiety and uncertainty by embracing adaptability and flexibility.

Gift Mindset: Unwrap the 12 Gifts to lead and live a life of purpose, connection and contribution

Renée Giarrusso (Major Street)

This award-winning book took shape from the moment we first spoke – the layout, the navigation and Renée’s bubbly style. And what an acknowledgement!:

‘Thank you to my brilliant editor, Jackey Coyle, for keeping me on track, providing feedback, challenging me and really understanding my message and passion to write this book.’

Bush Tales: The quest

Ali Corke; Mark Trinham (Illustrator), (Conservation Ecology Centre)

In this charming editing project, two young tiger quolls, Dottie and Quentin, embark on a Quest – a difficult journey to discover ‘something special’ about every animal in their forest. They must cover a lot of ground, face many dangers and be back at their nest by dark. Why have they been set this task and what will they find? Why is it so important that they are home before the moon is high in the night sky?

Take Shelter

Ali Corke (Ali Corke)

Retired teacher Deirdre Dunstable suffers a stroke and finds herself trapped and vulnerable in an aged-care facility. She convinces a carer to help her leave – he is Selva, a young Tamil asylum-seeker who has escaped from a far more brutal regime. Terrified of being returned to the facility, fearing that she may be resuscitated against her will, Deirdre with Selva begins to navigate the last stages of her life and the beginning of his new life.

Let’s Get Real: Discover the reasons most Australian property investors fail to get the results they desire

Luke Harris and Matthew Bateman (Major Street)

The brief was to proofread Let’s Get Real, and I liked the focus on the investor rather than just the investment. This new book on property investment was written by a duo who use their own experience in property investment to lead their company, The Property Mentors.

The Power of Good People: Surviving Sri Lanka’s civil war

Para Paheer with Alison Corke (Wild Dingo Press)

This book spotlights one man’s several close encounters with death, in turn lighting up all the people who have helped him survive – kind acts that meant the world to this Tamil refugee, now Australian citizen. Alison Corke began writing to Para Paheer when he was detained on Christmas Island. A life-and-death story, revealing what is still going on behind the seeming verdant tourist haven of Sri Lanka.

The Assassin on the Bangkok Express

Roland Perry (Wild Dingo Press)

Editing the second thriller featuring the world-weary Victor Cavalier threw me into the world of espionage and dirty dealings in Victor’s Bangkok base and then aboard the luxe Bangkok Express. Roland Perry OAM is a history specialist who’s authored more than 30 books across biography, politics, espionage, history, sport and fiction.

Test of Character: Confessions of cricket legends

Jeremy Wilshire (Echo Publishing)

Proofreading this unflinchingly honest, evocative and at times controversial title gave me access to cricket’s greats, with insights into seminal moments and exploration of the biggest issues facing the game today. It’s a collectors item featuring a foreword by Australia’s Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, plus exclusive interviews with famous cricket tragics, commentators and umpires.

Look What You Made Me Do: Fathers who kill

Megan Norris (Echo Publishing)

Proofreading this important book was harrowing – it documents seven stories of spousal revenge written by a former court and crime reporter. The book examines the murders of 13 innocent children who became collateral damage in the crimes committed by angry fathers whose real targets were the children’s mothers. I was thrilled to see Ms Norris pay tribute to my work as ‘brilliant’ in the acknowledgements.

Small Business CEO: Strategies to navigate the four stages of growth from start-up to success

Jenny Stilwell (BookBaby)

We copyedited this book outlining strategies to grow a successful company – letting go and stepping up by becoming less operational and more strategic, and getting clear on what the strategic priorities are at different stages in the company’s life cycle.

Difference Makers: A leader’s guide to championing diversity on boards

Dr Nicky Howe & Alicia Curtis (Major Street)

This book reframes the debate about who can participate as board directors so that differences are seen not as negatives but as positives. Proofreading involved not only the standard tasks, but also editing two differing author styles to create a consistent voice.

The Bastard from the Bush: An Australian life

John Jarratt (Echo Publishing)

Cult icon and screen actor Jarratt grew upon in Wongawilli, the Snowy Mountains, Townsville, Aramac and Magnetic Island. An apprenticeship at NIDA led to roles as Albert in Picnic at Hanging Rock and Ned Kelly, TV home-improvement co-host, then Mick Taylor in Wolf Creek. He fathered six children in stormy relationships, struggling with addictions to alcohol and house building.

Smoke and Mirrors: A tragedy of love and murder

Robin Bowles (Echo Publishing)

Proofreading this true crime book opened up a story filled with beauty and tragedy. It was edited by Jenny Lee, historian, researcher, ex-Meanjin editor, lecturer at Deakin and Melbourne universities and an author in her own right. Following up Jenny’s work was a pleasure and a privilege.

Outrage, Obscenity and Madness (Sex, vile gossip, art and illustration): Melbourne’s Pictorial Weekly Budget, The Citizen, Banner of Truth and Police News 1875–2015

Elizabeth Gertsakis

Copyediting this exuberant exhibition catalogue was an entrée into Melbourne’s earliest publishing history: the extraordinary life of publisher Richard Egan Lee. Over a number of years Elizabeth Gertsakis has been researching Melbourne’s early letterpress newspapers, culminating in this scholarly publication matched with the show at William Mora Galleries, Richmond.

The Encounters

Various authors (Deakin University)

Copyediting 40 papers for The Encounters: Place, Situation, Context Papers—The Refereed Proceedings of the 17th Conference of the Australasian Association of Writing Programs involved also styling them into a professional, consistent format, including bibliographies.

Our projects & publishing

Whether your project is a book or magazine, website or annual report, thesis or story, we can bring it together. And we can take it from go to whoa, whatever the degree of project management, research, writing, editing, proofreading, design and/or production needed.

From fine arts to culinary arts, business to music, travel to sport, science to health – we’ve got it covered, whether print or online.

This year and last, we’ve been concentrating on long-form writing in the form of authoring commissioned nonfiction books, ghostwriting business books, and coaching newbie authors. This involves designing the navigation of the book so the reader can quickly and easily find what they want. Here are a of our past projects.

Indian summers: Mumbai and beyond

Words & photographs Ian Cochrane (Wordy-Gurdy, print 2011 and epub 2013)

We wrangled 13 stories, two maps and 100 photographs into a stylish book filled with glimpses of India in all its idiosyncrasy, viewed through the kaleidoscope of past and present, and published it as a book and ebook.

Travel Pilates

Alida Belair (Black Inc.)

Jackey designed the navigation, edited and project-managed the layout and production in this best-selling illustrated guidebook for continuing a Pilates routine while away on business or on holiday.

Pocket Prague

Bridget Gleeson (Lonely Planet)

For several Pocket titles, Jackey was coordinating layout editor and indexer, with a total of 90 Lonely Planet guidebooks and trade titles where she took various roles across coordinating layout, proofreading and editing.

Inside Small Business

(Octomedia/Summit Publishing, 2012–16)

As Founding Editor of Inside Small Business, a national print magazine and website for micro and small businesses, Jackey managed all editing and layout, and wrote features and reviews for 14 issues (2012–16). This built on previous work at the likes ofMELBOURNEmagazine, RhythmsandAura.

The Strategic Super Investor

(Summit Publishing, 2012–14)

Jackey was Founding Editor of this national quarterly covering the essential elements of successfully self-managing super, commissioning articles and features from finance journalists and industry experts as well as writing, editing and overseeing production.  Distributed in print, online and iPad app.

FAQs

FAQ-IMG_0432-whitenightCan you edit my thesis?

Yes, we surely can, although we’re limited as to how much we can edit scholarly works in Australia. These criteria are set by IPEd, our national professional association, so as not to breach academic standards. See more here. You’ll also find indications of costs, which we can finetune once we see your project and assess the time involved.

How much do you charge per hour?

How do you compare a fast, accurate editor with a slow one who makes lots of errors? Certainly not by cost per hour. Many factors influence a quote – hours to complete, specialist knowledge required, the complexity of the work etc.

How do I go about getting a quote?

We’ll look at your project and ask you some questions so we know exactly what you’re after and can give you an accurate estimate. We’ll take into account things like what type of editing is needed and any elements that will take extra time. Think of a builder visiting the site to assess a job.

How do I know what kind of edit I need?

There are three levels of editing as well as manuscript assessment. We can advise. For example, if a structural edit is needed your money may be better spent with a manuscript assessment. This will give you direction as to any major areas that need work, then a copy edit or proofread will polish it ready to present to a publisher or self-publish.

Can’t you just give me a ballpark?

Yes, you can usually contact us for a price range. We can finetune it once we see your work and what’s required.

Do you work online or on hard copy?

Whatever suits you and your project.

Why should I choose Wordy-Gurdy?

  • Your project is not like anyone else’s. We understand that.
  • We work to deadlines and accurate quotations.
  • We bring our expertise and experience to your project to make it the best it can be.

Contact us here about your project.