I am a seasoned writer and editor with decades of experience at Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and in online education. I specialize in developmental editing, copyediting, and ghostwriting across memoir, business, parenting, and popular culture, helping authors craft clear, engaging narratives. In my latest roles, I have coached subject-matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwrote books and presentations; adapted books into online courses; directed videos and edited video content; and coached authors for on-camera performances.

Vanessa Mickan

I am a seasoned writer and editor with decades of experience at Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and in online education. I specialize in developmental editing, copyediting, and ghostwriting across memoir, business, parenting, and popular culture, helping authors craft clear, engaging narratives. In my latest roles, I have coached subject-matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwrote books and presentations; adapted books into online courses; directed videos and edited video content; and coached authors for on-camera performances.

Available to hire

I am a seasoned writer and editor with decades of experience at Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, and in online education. I specialize in developmental editing, copyediting, and ghostwriting across memoir, business, parenting, and popular culture, helping authors craft clear, engaging narratives. In my latest roles, I have coached subject-matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwrote books and presentations; adapted books into online courses; directed videos and edited video content; and coached authors for on-camera performances.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Writing Coach and Editor at Kestrel Content
April 1, 2025 - Present
Coaching subject matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwriting books and presentations for subject matter experts; editing for Simon & Schuster.
Course Director at New Harbinger Publications
April 1, 2025 - October 24, 2025
Adapted books into online courses, working with the company’s top-selling authors, including a New York Times bestseller and one of the most cited psychologists in the world. Performed developmental editing of course outlines and lesson plans. Copyedited workbooks, assessment quizzes, and video scripts. Directed videos, supervised video editing, and coached authors for on-camera performances. Wrote and copyedited supplementary text and exercises to accompany video lessons.
Freelance Editor and Writer at Various
January 1, 2020 - October 24, 2025
Developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, St Martin’s Press, and Hachette. Wrote the parenting book Gratitude: A Positive New Approach to Raising Thankful Kids (Inlumino, 2015). Ghostwrote eight books covering business, memoir, self-help, parenting, and popular culture. Wrote and edited content marketing and web copy for finance, banking, and real estate companies. Adapted YouTube video content into online courses, and performed developmental editing and copyediting on workbooks and supplementary text.
Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2006 - October 24, 2025
Specialized in developmental editing of memoirs, manuscripts requiring intensive work, and books with high libel risks. Wrote the memoir Mahboba’s Promise (Penguin Random House, 2005). Performed copyediting. Wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.
Managing Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2002 - October 24, 2025
Supervised a team of 10 project editors who were responsible for approximately 200 adult trade books per year. Recruited editors. Developed editorial training programs. Checked all editors’ final proofs, picture sections, and covers before going to print. Updated and maintained house style guide. Project managed and edited several books per year. Wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.
Writing Coach and Editor at Kestrel Content
April 1, 2025 - Present
Coaching subject matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwriting books and presentations for subject matter experts; editing for Simon & Schuster.
Course Director at New Harbinger Publications
April 1, 2025 - October 24, 2025
Adapted books into online courses; performed developmental editing of course outlines and lesson plans; copyedited workbooks, quizzes, and video scripts; directed videos, supervised video editing, and coached authors for on-camera performances; wrote and copyedited supplementary text and exercises to accompany video lessons.
Freelance Editor and Writer
January 1, 2020 - October 24, 2025
Developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for major publishers; authored Gratitude: A Positive New Approach to Raising Thankful Kids; ghostwrote eight books; wrote content marketing and web copy; adapted YouTube video content into online courses; performed developmental editing and copyediting on workbooks and supplementary text.
Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2006 - October 24, 2025
Specialized in developmental editing of memoirs and high-libel-risk manuscripts; wrote Mahboba’s Promise; performed copyediting; wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.
Managing Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2002 - October 24, 2025
Supervised a team of 10 project editors; recruited editors; developed editorial training programs; checked final proofs, picture sections, and covers; maintained house style guide; managed multiple books per year; wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.
Writing Coach and Editor at Kestrel Content
April 1, 2025 - Present
Coaching subject matter experts to write books, articles, webinars, and course curricula; ghostwriting books and presentations for subject matter experts; editing for Simon & Schuster.
Course Director at New Harbinger Publications
April 1, 2025 - October 24, 2025
Adapted books into online courses, collaborating with top-selling authors (including a New York Times bestseller) and renowned psychologists; performed developmental editing of course outlines and lesson plans; copyedited workbooks, assessment quizzes, and video scripts; directed videos, supervised video editing, and coached authors for on-camera performances; wrote and copyedited supplementary text and exercises to accompany video lessons.
Freelance Editor and Writer at Self-employed
January 1, 2020 - October 24, 2025
Developmental editing, copyediting, and proofreading for Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, St Martin’s Press, and Hachette; wrote Gratitude: A Positive New Approach to Raising Thankful Kids (Inlumino, 2015); ghostwrote eight books covering business, memoir, self-help, parenting, and popular culture; wrote and edited content marketing and web copy for finance, banking, and real estate companies; adapted YouTube video content into online courses, and performed developmental editing and copyediting on workbooks and supplementary text.
Senior Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2006 - October 24, 2025
Specialized in developmental editing of memoirs, manuscripts requiring intensive work, and books with high libel risks; wrote the memoir Mahboba’s Promise (Penguin Random House, 2005); performed copyediting; wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.
Managing Editor at Penguin Random House Australia
January 1, 2002 - October 24, 2025
Supervised a team of 10 project editors who were responsible for approximately 200 adult trade books per year; recruited editors; developed editorial training programs; checked all editors’ final proofs, picture sections, and covers before going to print; updated and maintained house style guide; project managed and edited several books per year; wrote jacket copy and marketing collateral.

Education

Master of Creative Writing at Western Sydney University
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Bachelor of Communication at University of Technology Sydney
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Master of Creative Writing at Western Sydney University
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Bachelor of Communications at University of Technology Sydney
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Master of Creative Writing at Western Sydney University
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025
Bachelor of Communications at University of Technology Sydney
January 11, 2030 - October 24, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services