Renée Otmar

Renée Otmar has over three decades’ experience as a writer and editor. She has been a judge for several prizes and awards, including the 2023 ARA Historical Novel Prize, Australia’s richest prize for historical fiction. She has worked in-house with multinational publishing giants in academic and trade publishing, and as a freelance / consulting writer and editor for clients in publishing, business, government, non-government and community contexts, as well as for individual (independent) authors. She also has a parallel career in public health research and research ethics.

Renée helps writers to create and improve their manuscripts, taking great pleasure in helping authors develop their uniquely personal voice and writing practice. She guest lectures to masters students in writing and editing, and regularly presents at conferences and seminars on writing and editing. She runs workshops teaching writing craft to new and aspiring writers, and coaches writers through the journey of developing their manuscripts, their personal writing style and their writing career. She also provides training and support for writers and editors to develop a trauma-sensitive approach in their practice.

Renée has published in academic journals and books, magazines, anthologies, websites, blogs and elsewhere, in print and online. In 2007 her true crime/family memoir, In Cold Blood: The murder of baby Jordan, was published in South Africa by New Africa Books. More details at: https://reneeotmar.com.au