Panel - It’s your Story - Busting Myths about Editors and Editing

Join Kerry Davies AE and Robyn Kent AE in discussion with Dr Lisa Hill – three highly experienced editors and members of the Institute of Professional Editors – who will expose some of the key myths and stereotypes about editing that keep writers from accessing valuable help to take your writing to a new level.

Are you still stung by early experiences of criticism of your writing from a teacher or employer and worry that working with an editor will be a similar experience? Do you feel like you’ve got it covered without editorial input?

Professional editors are skilled at easing your concerns and creating constructive relationships that maintain a writer's agency and centrality in the process, while you tap into expert help.

Kerry Davies has been a professional editor for more than 45 years, much of it freelance, and was manager of Indigenous publisher Magabala Books in its early days. She established her freelance business in Sydney in 1996, later moving to Brisbane. The rise of self-publishing led to an increasing demand for her services from independent authors, predominantly in fiction, with a smattering of memoir, narrative non-fiction and academic theses. She has been heavily involved with IPEd and Editors Queensland since 2010. Kerry is also a judge of the English-Speaking Union’s Roly Sussex Short Story Competition (2026 competition is now open).

Robyn Kent is a professional editor with more than 10 years’experience across freelance and in-house editing roles. She is currently senior editor at R.I.C. Publications. In her first career as a teacher in early childhood and special education, Robyn often adjusted texts to meet the needs of her students. After completing a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing (USQ), she attained IPEd accreditation in 2012. She is a professional member of IPEd. Robyn has edited fiction, non-fiction, academic projects, research theses, government documents and educational content (print and digital). Her clients appreciate her clear communication and collaborative approach.

Lisa Hill has been a professional academic editor for over 12 years, specialising in doctoral theses and academic research publications across the humanities, arts and social sciences. She has a PhD in media studies, a diploma in professional editing, and 13 years’ experience teaching and researching media and communications in Australian universities. She is a full member of the Institute of Professional Editors and oordinator of the Sunshine Coast sub-group of Editors Queensland. Lisa is passionate about clarity and consistency in academic writing and considers it a privilege to help clients achieve their academic and publishing goals.

Discover more about the Eumundi Writers Festival here: https://eumundiwritersfestival.com.au/