Travels with Tracy, by Andrew Pettifer
This was my first experience with an editor and I was really pleased with Deborah’s work. I was impressed with how she researched the topics I covered in the book to make sure they were factually correct.
It was also really nice to get some encouragement when she pointed out the parts of the book that she particularly enjoyed. I’m sure my book is much improved as a result of Deborah’s input.
Cádiz: The Story of Europe’s Oldest City, by Helen Crisp and Jules Stewart
We are grateful to Deborah Shaw, whose highly professional copy editing saved us potential embarrassment in many instances. Her sharp-eyed attention to detail revealed numerous literals and errors that had escaped us. Deborah’s prompt work and clear comments made the editing process easy for us.
The Cactus Surgeon
by Hannah Powell
Having never written a book before I was unsure what to expect from working with Deborah. My experience was wholly positive and she helped me bring a book to market that I can be really proud of. Her guidance and suggestions were technically brilliant, sensitively delivered and extremely constructive. I made virtually all her suggestions and trusted her implicitly. She helped me to improve the flow and structure and encouraged me to add more descriptive writing (show don’t tell!), which readers are really enjoying.
The Cactus Surgeon won The Selfies 2022 autobiography/memoir award.
Out Come the Dogs
by Stu Tripney
If there’s one other person who’s so involved with my books, it’s Deborah, my editor and so much more. Every time I give her a new manuscript I feel sorry for her. I say, ‘Get out your flamethrower, angle grinder and chainsaw and get to work.’ And she does, in such a remarkable way. Without blinking! I’m not sure how she does it. But Deborah does, and very very well.
Chasing Tigers
by Stu Tripney
I’m not religious though Deborah was definitely the answer to my prayers. Writing suddenly became a joy again and working closely with Deborah was the reason.
Deborah is a true professional full of great ideas and help, not to mention a guru at grammar, punctuation and spelling.
Without Deborah’s amazing help my book Chasing Tigers would never have been as good. That’s a fact. She’s so damn good that I’ve already hired her awesome services for my future book projects.
Can’t recommend Deborah’s services enough. Go on, hire her, you will not regret it.
Talking of Michelangelo,
by John Harry
I found your work enormously helpful and precise – a great learning experience for me. My great respect and thanks to you.
Feces Navidad, by Matthew Tolzmann
After I completed the final round of edits of my memoir, my editor recommended Deborah for proofreading and I’m so glad that she did. Deborah’s ability to fine-tune for grammar, clarity, and flow helped to give my manuscript a professional, polished sheen I never could have dreamed of achieving on my own. Ten out of ten. Highly recommend.
The Moth Orchid, by Justin Warren
Huge thank you for everything you’ve done to make my writing better. It has been a pleasure working with you again.
Man. Made.
by Ian Austin
My books are weighted towards detailed Police procedures. Deborah’s academic editing background is well suited to my requirements.
Deborah is always timely. It’s a pleasurable aspect of my writing working with her because it’s always a time of improvement with no stress.
Every book we’ve worked on, she’s provided great manuscript improvement advice. Her ideas are clever and in keeping with my style.
Via Legio series
by Charles Edward Williams
As an emergent author of historical fiction, I’ve welcomed the professional and guiding hand of Deborah Shaw, whose exacting oversight and gift for shaping and sculpting a rough draft storyline has inevitably led to highly burnished and polished outcomes. I’ve no doubt that her expertise and assistance elevates an author’s manuscript to the highest professional standards. Thoroughly recommended.
Dunedin Walks
Deborah’s concise writing and systematic editing skills were a vital link in the chain of getting a landmark public information project done for Dunedin City, allowing the concept of a joint agency Dunedin walking brochure to evolve from an array of scattered information to a single professional product.
– Andrew Lonie, Dunedin City Council
Dead Ground and The Lewis Pass
by Justin Warren
Deborah edited my two novels, DEAD GROUND and THE LEWIS PASS. I found her work to be thoroughly professional, prompt, and full of detailed feedback. Gifted with a great sensibility for getting the best out of any writer and goes the extra mile to make sure the written word is clear, concise, and on point. I feel she has made me a better writer. Highly recommended.
The Wizard’s Harvest Table
by Thomas Mooney
I spent a lot of time looking for a proofreader all over the world, and it is something of a gamble to blind hire a freelancer. I admit sort of taking a shot in the dark, and probably made my choice based on ‘this proofreader is from my town!’ and ‘she graduated in Philosophy … from my university!’ and nothing else.
I can’t congratulate myself on what turned out to be pure luck, but I can congratulate Deborah for her excellent work, so here’s an endorsement that’s effusive and glowy. What I got were fast delivery on both an insightful story edit (the kind where you blush but also benefit) and accurate proofreading, not only grammar but correction of oversights and comments addressing style, plus follow up help with a few late changes and very fussy questions by me.
Master’s thesis
by Sarah Bush
I just wanted to say a huge thank you for doing the proofreading for my master’s dissertation! I thought I’d let you know that it passed without the need for any corrections and I got an A for it, so I am graduating in a few weeks with distinction!
Dunedin Is A Ghost Town
Andrew Smith
Deborah was extremely helpful and professional in the editing process of my book. I look forward to working with Deborah again in the future and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for efficient, friendly editing services.
Help! My story has the Mary-Sue Disease
by L C Morgenstern
Deborah was always prompt and polite as she edited my book. Her ability to take my knotted sentences and twist them into something clearer and more concise was invaluable to my project.
Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 