Our Services

No matter where you are in your writing journey, Laurel Cohn and her expert team can guide you down the many pathways to publishing.

Find the support you need

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Manuscript Assessments

Looking at the big picture

It is hard to step back from your own work and see the big picture in the same way an independent, professional editor can. Our manuscript assessments provide the lens that will help guide you through the next stages of development, whether you have a full draft, or a partial manuscript.

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Editing

Shaping your work

Shaping your work to best deliver your intent takes meticulous care. We offer structural editing (deep analysis of the big picture), copyediting (finessing at the line level) and proofreading (the final tidy up).

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Mentoring and Consultations

Reaching your destination

Sometimes, the best way to reach your destination is with an experienced navigator by your side. A consultation with an industry professional offers you the opportunity to discuss your ideas, explore options, consider potential issues and pose questions. This can be extended into a mentoring relationship, providing on-going support and guidance.

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Workshops and Courses

Growing as a writer

Writing workshops and courses can invigorate your writing practice and offer new tips, tools and strategies, as well as inspiration and support. Laurel Cohn is a popular presenter of workshops and courses on writing, editing and publishing for organisations in Australia and Europe.

What our authors say

Brave but Sheila Vijeyarasara

‘The process with Laurel was truly exceptional. She took me from a writer who had training wheels on, to a writer who had confidence in her voice and her story. I could not have secured a publishing deal without Laurel. She helped me to write a tight, well narrated and strong manuscript. She held my hand closely through the whole editing process. I am indebted to her forever!’

Sheila Vijeyarasa
Brave: Courageously Live Your Truth
(Rockpool Publishing)
Mentoring and manuscript assessment
Therese-Spruhan-The-Memory-Pool

‘I wanted to say thank you for your input to eventually getting a publisher and the crucial part your course on Nailing Your Pitch was to that. It was in that course that I realised I needed to hone my theme and the focus of the book to childhood memories of a pool and was when I came up with the title The Memory Pool. So thank you very much, Laurel!’

Therese Spruhan
The Memory Pool
(New South Publishing)
Workshop
Salt Rain by Sarah Armstrong

‘Laurel’s assessment of my manuscript was detailed and insightful. She not only addressed technical matters such as structure and plot, but was able to provide an overview of themes and character development in a way that was very helpful, even in the later edits for publication. I was so close to my manuscript that I had lost perspective and Laurel’s report offered me a clear idea of what I needed to do before submitting it to an agent, while also confirming what was working in the manuscript.’

Sarah Armstrong
Salt Rain
(Allen & Unwin) Shortlisted Dobbie and Miles Franklin Awards
Manuscript assessment
She Down There by Lynton Francois Burger

‘Laurel, your initial assessment of my manuscript was thorough, insightful and structured in such a way that I could immediately get to work with taking it to the next level. You are a passionate and engaging teacher, a consummate professional with a depth of experience across genres. I am indebted to you for your significant contribution, seminal really, to my growth as a writer! You will forever be my first master.’

Lynton Burger
She Down There
(Penguin Random House South Africa)
Manuscript assessment
Tarab by Cark Cleves

‘My book ‘Tarab: travels with my guitar’ would not have been published without the expert help and advice of Laurel Cohn. Her invaluable and generous help with plot design, character development, proofreading and overall structure lifted my drafts to a level of quality where my book was received with enthusiasm by a publisher and with excellent reviews in the press. I must strongly recommend editor Laurel Cohn to anyone that dreams of seeing their work published. Her professional expertise, patience and appreciation for my writing were the best gift my book could have hoped for.’

Carl Cleves
Tarab: travels with my guitar
(Transit Lounge Publishing)
Structural editing and copyediting
The Magician's Way by William Whitecloud

‘Laurel treated my manuscript with a deep appreciation for exactly what it was, both in terms of its style and content. I was very impressed with her deft and economical touch. With surprisingly few flourishes she managed to enhance my own voice while massively improving the structure and readability of my manuscript. Of all the aspects of writing and producing my book, working with Laurel was by far the most pleasant. She’s a magician, no doubt about it!’

William Whitecloud
The Magician’s Way
(Wizdom Press, New World Library)
Manuscript assessment, structural editing
A Dangerous Daughter by Dina Davis

‘I’ve been meaning to write to you for ages, but have been flat out with the promotion and launch of A Dangerous Daughter. You’ve been an enormous help and inspiration to me all through the painful months of draft after draft, keeping me going when my confidence flagged, and finding flaws that I missed myself. Thank you again for all your help.’

Dina Davis
A Dangerous Daughter
(Cilento Publishing)
Mentoring and manuscript assessment
Your Sould Purpose by Brendan Nichols

‘Laurel Cohn, did an outstanding job in editing and providing valuable feedback in my book. At all times she was genuinely interested in my project and often gave me great insight in how I could improve the text. The book went on to become a best seller as a self-published book and then published by Harper Collins.’

Brendan Nichols
Your Soul Purpose
(Harper Collins)
Structural editing and copyediting
Jamie-Mushin-Quit-for-Life

‘Laurel was easy to communicate with, very clear in her thoughts and prompt with her responses to any questions I had. She edited an early draft of the manuscript, and gave me valuable feedback on structure, grammar and the style of my writing. I found her comments to be insightful and relevant, and an important basis for writing the next draft of the book. I would happily use Laurel’s services again.’

Jamie Mushin
Quit for Life
(Penguin Books)
Manuscript assessment
Breaking Through the Pain Barrier by Gabriella Kelly-Davis

‘After implementing Laurel’s advice about structure, tone, flow, backstory, what stays and what goes, my manuscript took off! Without Laurel’s guidance, I doubt Breaking Through the Pain Barrier would be in its second print run six weeks after it launched. Thank you, Laurel.’

Gabriella Kelly-Davies
Breaking Through the Pain Barrier
(Hawkeye Books)
Editorial consultation
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