Consultation, manuscript development and editorial assistance

from $90.00

One-on-one consultation // $190 per hour

Editorial services // $90 per hour

For bookings and enquiries contact Tess // hello@slingshotbooks.com.au

Slingshot’s Tess Cullity has worked as an editor for over a decade, both freelance and in-house, with particular experience in picture books, junior fiction, life writing and personal development.

Tess provides honest feedback and expert consultation in a way that energises and nurtures.

Refine your concept: Book a session to discuss your story idea. Together, we’ll explore what success and creative satisfaction mean for you. We’ll gain clarity around your artistic direction, imagined audience and desired outcomes. 

With this information as our compass, we’ll evaluate a variety of publishing pathways for your project, review comparison titles and references, and map out your next steps. My intention is that you leave this meeting with a sense of purpose and action.

Manuscript development: I’ll read your manuscript, whether it’s an early or final draft, and we’ll follow up with a one-on-one session. My feedback will be primarily driven by your personal goals, however this will naturally lead to discussions about the intended audience, narrative structure, character and plot development, language use, cultural or political ideology, and a range of other project-specific considerations.

Copy editing: Your manuscript feels complete. Now you need a nerdy, attentive and experienced editor to read it line by line. I’ll assist with the process of polishing and finessing, while offering comments and queries to help elevate your work.

Publishing industry demystification: The western publishing industry is exclusionary and elitist. Much of how it operates is shrouded in mystery for those who are on the outside attempting to look in. I hold a Master of Publishing from the University of Melbourne, have worked as a freelancer and in-house editor for conventional publishers, and I now run my own independent publishing house. I’m in an excellent position to answer your questions and support you as you navigate your way into or through (or in conscious opposition to) this industry. If you want to take a conventional path with your work, I’ll happily provide you with the information and resources to do so. If you want to do things differently, I’m here to help you make strategic decisions.

a booking:

One-on-one consultation // $190 per hour

Editorial services // $90 per hour

For bookings and enquiries contact Tess // hello@slingshotbooks.com.au

Slingshot’s Tess Cullity has worked as an editor for over a decade, both freelance and in-house, with particular experience in picture books, junior fiction, life writing and personal development.

Tess provides honest feedback and expert consultation in a way that energises and nurtures.

Refine your concept: Book a session to discuss your story idea. Together, we’ll explore what success and creative satisfaction mean for you. We’ll gain clarity around your artistic direction, imagined audience and desired outcomes. 

With this information as our compass, we’ll evaluate a variety of publishing pathways for your project, review comparison titles and references, and map out your next steps. My intention is that you leave this meeting with a sense of purpose and action.

Manuscript development: I’ll read your manuscript, whether it’s an early or final draft, and we’ll follow up with a one-on-one session. My feedback will be primarily driven by your personal goals, however this will naturally lead to discussions about the intended audience, narrative structure, character and plot development, language use, cultural or political ideology, and a range of other project-specific considerations.

Copy editing: Your manuscript feels complete. Now you need a nerdy, attentive and experienced editor to read it line by line. I’ll assist with the process of polishing and finessing, while offering comments and queries to help elevate your work.

Publishing industry demystification: The western publishing industry is exclusionary and elitist. Much of how it operates is shrouded in mystery for those who are on the outside attempting to look in. I hold a Master of Publishing from the University of Melbourne, have worked as a freelancer and in-house editor for conventional publishers, and I now run my own independent publishing house. I’m in an excellent position to answer your questions and support you as you navigate your way into or through (or in conscious opposition to) this industry. If you want to take a conventional path with your work, I’ll happily provide you with the information and resources to do so. If you want to do things differently, I’m here to help you make strategic decisions.

  • I love the editing process with Tess. She comes at the manuscript with fresh eyes, professionalism, a wealth of knowledge, compassion and sensitivity. She’s read several projects of mine and picked up on things that I completely missed. For one middle-grade manuscript she suggested I add another chapter at the end. I’d thought the story was done, but whenever I read that last chapter I am so grateful for Tess’s guidance. As well as Tess’s editing suggestions she has a deep understanding of the publishing industry. She has advised me on which publisher might be the best fit for my work as well as ideas on how to pitch the manuscript. I highly recommend Tess.

    —Bernadette Green

  • I love working with Tess! I have complete trust in her perspective and have learnt so much from her. She has a sharp eye, with an incredible focus on detail while keeping in mind the overall scope and intention of the work. I greatly value how generous she is with her knowledge and expertise and the way that she will always elevate any written work with her insight.

      —Natalia Garcia, kindling & sage magazine

  • I had a very specific book proposal that needed refining, and needed a plan for getting this book published in a commercial setting. Tess was exemplary in understanding my project and providing solutions towards defined goals of publication in a conventional setting. Her market knowledge is extensive and informed her considered suggestions as to how my proposal could be more attractive to a commercial publisher. I would wholeheartedly recommend Tess’s services and much appreciate her wisdom in where I could (and also where I shouldn’t!) compromise to achieve my desired outcome. I left with renewed purpose and understanding of the market. For me, Tess’s consultation filled a gap that other manuscript consultants or editors don’t offer. 

    —Clare Millar

  • Tess supported me to develop my book concept and manuscript, and helped me understand the publishing industry. I could not recommend her enough. She is fiercely honest and intelligent regarding both the industry and the practice of creating books.

    —Sofia Sabbagh

  • Working with Tess to better develop my book concept was a unique opportunity to not only gain insight into a wealth of knowledge around the publishing industry, but to also speak with someone who holds similar values in artistic creation and social justice. It is rare to find these confluences in one place and this really helped to reignite my passion for a developing project, and helped steer me onto the pathway I want to be on. I highly recommend working with Tess for clarity, vision and creative inspiration!

    —Nevo Zisin

  • Your words have provided me with the light and strength to move through this week. You have also reignited my excitement to read and hopefully move towards publishing something. I truly hope we get to work together on something soon.

    —Chandni Kantaria