Who & Why

A recent invitation to my Primary School's Fiftieth Birthday reunion had me rummaging through cupboards, searching out old photographs and mementos. An inveterate hoarder, I still had my school report cards pasted into a scrapbook, and a ragged copy of my very first published work - a poem written in the precise handwriting of an eight-year-old. I remember the thrill of having that poem accepted for publication in the school magazine.
Words and the way they are put together, to inform, inspire and create images in the mind as well as on the page, put a fire in my belly. In my thirties, I confirmed a young girl's dream - I'd known, all those years ago, what I wanted to be when I grew up: a person who works with words.
Marriage, children, divorce and survival took precedence over that dream for quite some years, though the passion for words remained, fed by involvement in writers' workshops and writing groups.
I entered the labyrinth of mature-age study, completing Certificate IV in Professional Writing and Editing, undertaken part-time through the regional TAFE College. Computer courses, including Business Applications, opened a new world of possibilities in an electronic age.
It was finally time to live the dream.
Apt Medium began seven years ago because of a need to contribute more than my own words to the writing and reading communities. At that time, the idea was birthed for a hardcopy literary magazine, which would fill a niche market here in Australia. The dream was fulfilled to a degree, but personal trials, an ailing bank account and inexperience (yes, I admit it) brought it to a premature end. During the following three years, I continued to gain experience in other writing-related areas and realised I had experienced my greatest satisfaction and pleasure in helping writers get their work 'out there' where it would be read. As with all publications, submissions for the magazine had varied in degrees of writing correctness and readability. However each writer had a story to tell and their own voice with which to tell it.
One dream bloomed, seeded and gave birth to others while associations with other editors, publishers, agents and writers strengthened.
Sub-contracting my services as a manuscript assessor seemed a natural progression, given my desire to work with writers and the need to use skills I'd learned.
As a freelance editor, I find helping writers to develop their own particular skills and polish their manuscripts is more pleasure than work. Walking alongside writers, who aspire to leave their creative mark on the world, is a wonderful journey into language, communication and the sharing of ideas and thoughts.
A curious mind and participation in further editing-related study keeps my skills on-track and prevents stagnation.
Mine is a varied history. I have done business writing and editing for employers, newsletters for special interest groups, media releases for local and regional businesses and organisations, written, designed and produced brochures, fliers, posters and advertising material and participated in a 'Publishing and Marketing' employment project, which included conducting tutorials on writing fiction and non-fiction.
I can't give you an arm-long list of published books I have edited. Until they appear in glorious print, which can take quite some time, editing works-in-progress mean very little, but I will update this bio as is warranted.
In case you are interested, below are some of my writing 'credits'.

Fiction

'Inspiration in Sepia' - Short Story - Finalist - Annual Short Story Competition 2002 - KT Publishing, 2002.
'The Reunion' - Short Story - Published by WriteSpot International in Debriefed, E-Book anthology, 2002.
'Metamorphosis Suspended' - Short Story - Pending possible publication, Tillicum Books, U.S., 2001.
'The One Most Likely' - Short, Short Story - Equal Second - OSCAR - Flash Fiction Competition, Absolute Write, 2001.
'The Conjuring' - Short Story - Highly Commended - Australasian Short Story Awards, 2000.
'Paradise Regained' - Short Story - First Prize - Wimmera Regional Library Corporation Short Competition Anthology, 1998.
'The Green Door' - Short Story - Gathering Force Literary Journal, July 1996.
'Twisted Threads' - Short Story - First Prize - Hamilton Wool Heritage Festival A Yarn Event Literary Awards Anthology, 1994.
'Life' - Short Story - Writers of The Black Forest Anthology, 1988

Non-Fiction

'Heart-fire and Friendship' - A Cup of Comfort for Women in Love, Anthology, Adams Media, U.S.A. 2005.
'With Words Alone' - Essay - First Prize - Parenting Issues Essay Competition, October 2003.
'Comfort and Growth' - Short Essay - Winning Entry - Creative Journal, February 2001.
'Coping with Fear of Commitment' - Article - Single Life, (National magazine), October 1998.
'Package Deals in the '90s' - Article - Single Life, (National magazine), April 1998.
'All At Sea' - Article/Review, The Tarrangower Times (weekly newspaper), 1998.
'Keeping Warm with Alan' - Article/Review, The Tarrangower Times (weekly newspaper), 1998.
'Reviving the Spirit' - Article, Local Business News (Regional monthly publication), 1997.
'Noel' - Essay - Significant Merit - The Courier - Southern Cross Literary Competition, 1997.
Jenny White
Editor & Wordsmith
Postscript:
The dream of the literary magazine continued to smoulder for some time with the final issue appearing in 2004. On another part of this site you will find reliquary dedicated to Wildfire, a literary erotica publication, which is now no more. The niche still exists, as does the need for a forum for writers who enjoy adding sensual heat to their writing. I sincerely hope someone else takes up the baton. Wildfire isn't for everyone, and certainly not for the sensually faint-hearted or under-eighteen age group, but if you're interested, you're welcome to visit. No, I'm not taking you there; it's entirely your choice.