All photography by Susan Prior. Above, taken in the National Park, Norfolk Island

What people say

Susan Prior is a meticulous editor with an eagle’s eye. And not just for the small, embarrassing error of spelling, the unfortunately placed comma or colon or the missing verb. She brings her skills to each level of the document, from the sentence to the whole. She makes editing an art. I recommend her art wholeheartedly.

~ Kristina Olsson, award-winning author of The China Garden and Boy, Lost

Susan, prior to your voluntary help on the Sherwood Community Festival committee we had a muddle of a website into which we had poured every item, necessary or futile, with the idea that more is good. We are beholden to you for streamlining and beautifying us. Our pamphlets weren’t much better therefore your advice was a boon, especially with mundanities such as the difference between program/programme! Additionally, your personality makes you a dream to work with.

A heartfelt thank you.

~ Nel Kanas, Sherwood Community Festival Committee, 11 August 2019

Thanks again for taking on this project within such a tight timeframe. We are very happy with the work you’ve done! Meticulous as always. 15 January 2019

Thanks so much ... for your work on this project! Brilliant as always.

~ Camille Layt, Corporate Publications Manager, The Univerity of Queensland, 16 January 2019

From the ‘Acknowledgements’ section of Helen’s latest book,The Kingdom of the Wicked: 

‘The following institutions and people made Kingdom of the Wicked possible: … Susan Prior, who was an astonishingly sharp-eyed editor, …’

~ Helen Dale, award-winning author of The hand that signed the paper, 2017

Susan Prior is, what was once referred to as, a ‘completer-finisher’. One of those rare people who can take all the bits-and-pieces, fix-them-up, and then put them together into a final polished-document. She is exactly the person if you are having trouble finishing a manuscript because you need it to be perfect.

~ Jennifer Marohasy, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), 2016

I would like to personally acknowledge the amazing work of Susan Prior, our writer and editor, who has been so instrumental in taking an idea for a community voice and turning it into the pint-sized magazine we have grown to love so much. The reality is that without Susan’s dedication, professionalism and support there would be no Living in The Shires magazine.

~ David Gowdie, Owner of Harcourts Graceville and Living in The Shires, 2016

Just wanted to say a big thank you for all the work you have done with me over the last few years. I can only give you the highest of praise! Brilliant job! I shall miss our planning meetings with coffee and the melting moments!

~ Michael Skerrett, MBA MAICD AIMM, 29 November, 2016

I just wanted to say a massive thank you for being so reliable and efficient with your proofreading on the projects that have been coming to you from Pearson. All of your queries were so helpful and thorough; it was such a relief to know someone competent was on the job! At this busy time of year, it’s a godsend to know that someone on the ball is working on our projects.

~ Camille Layt, Classics Editor, Pearson, September 6, 2013

 So lucky to have found you! I have enjoyed working with you and I’m so grateful for the expert and efficient job you’ve done on my book. A sincere thank you for your professional, thorough and efficient editing skills. Your commitment to ensure that it’s the best it can be, is greatly appreciated. Thanks Susan.

~ Tanya Dickson, June 1, 2013

Not living in the area, I had no idea that such a wonderful publication exists plus a great website to match. I can see that you truly love producing this publication, your articles are interesting and varied plus you not only introduce new residents to the area but inform those that already live in the shires. I will keep my eye out for your next publication.

~ K. Morris, 15 January, 2015

Aaah you are a genius … Just what I was looking for, punchy & different … Thanks.

~ Deirdre Lamont, October 5, 2012

I have just read the latest LITS cover to (almost) cover; the publication is superb, the material and your writing are marvellous, I am very impressed.

~ Mark Roberts, Author of Family Bush Walks, 21 January, 2015

If you want fast and accurate editing, you will not be disappointed with Susan Prior. She did a fantastic editing job on one of our business books (The End of Progress) whilst working with a very demanding author.

~ Joel Balbin, May 30, 2011

 Just thought you’d like to know that my editing students at UQ Journalism have been using your edits of my assorted writings for On Line Opinion. I have given them my original prolix, way over-written, dense, turgid verbages. … Then I gave the students your edits, with track changes enabled, so they can see what you did with the stuff. Then I pointed them to the pristine, published, clear, and fluent pages of the published material.

~ Mark Hayes, August 15, 2007

Susan is one of the best editors I know. Such a loss to On Line Opinion. ~ Melinda Tankard Reist, February 8, 2011

Groovy. You really are super efficient! ~ Niall Lucy, August 24, 2010

Susan … confirming what a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, ever-courteous, goddamn editor you are! It’s been an honour to work with you. All the best, Fondest regards, ‘dog. ~ Tim O’Dwyer, September 9, 2010 

Good luck with your future endeavours, though. You’re well known around the traps as a fine editor. You should find a new and exciting job somewhere soon, no doubt. ~ Edward Cavanagh, October 5, 2010 

Susan, You have done a magnificent job. Few editors would be able to achieve and maintain the balance, quality and depth that you have. ~ Jennifer Marohasy, October 11, 2010

Thanks for always being so supportive of my work when I submit it to OLO. You do a really great job there. ~ Audrey Apple, January 17, 2008

Thanks Susan — a nice precise edit job getting rid of all my little glitches, Regards. ~ Peter Olszewski, December 14, 2007

You and OLO have been really supportive and kind to me in fostering my writing career. I have to say, thank you for thinking of me. ~ Jieh-Yung, October 11, 2007

Dear Susan, You have done a great job. I am so impressed, especially with the links. ~ John Cribbes, October 10, 2007 

Your editing is, as usually, impeccable. ~ Ioan Voicu, August 22, 2007

Susan, I am going to see you get a George Cross and bar, at very least. Ta muchly. ~ Peter Ravenscroft, April 20, 2007

Hi Sue, thanks for that — gee, you work very quick [sic]! ~ Mirko Bagaric, March 28, 2007

Dear Susan, Many thanks for a careful and prudent editing of the op-ed. I appreciate the effort. I agree with your changes. Best wishes. ~ Dr Dvir Abramovich, January 5, 2007

All in all, you have been the single most easy to deal with media person I’ve encountered — so thanks for being so laid back and understanding! ~ Dr Gregory Webb, December 1, 2006

Mate, it’s lovely. … And thanks to you [for] refusing to accept any old tat, I was forced to give it a shave and haircut. It’s tons better now — and I am better for the challenge — so thank you! Now I know how to do things in future. ~ Chris Shaw, November 8, 2006