Helen Scheuerer – Founding Editor of Writer’s Edit

Helen is the Founding Editor of Writer’s Edit, an online magazine and learning platform for fiction and freelance writers. She’s also a fantasy author and fiction editor and is working on a book due out in August 2017. 

See more of Helen’s career highlights and how she came to fulfil her dream as a writer. 

When did you start the Writer’s Edit? 

I’m the Founding Editor and Publisher of Writer’s Edit and Writer’s Edit Press. I’ve been in this role since I started the Writer’s Edit website in 2013.

How long have you been a writer? 

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember, but I’ve been a professional freelance writer for about seven years now. I’ve been running Writer’s Edit and my own freelancing business for about four of those years.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was about 7 years old.

What was your first job?

My very first job was running functions at a kids’ play and adventure centre called the Funhouse. But my first professional job out of uni was as a content writer for an Australian internet start-up.

Explain a typical day at work

I’m someone who thrives on routine, so I generally get up quite early and plan my day with a to-do list. I set time limitations on things like checking emails and social media because I’m all too aware of getting sucked into the newsfeeds and the time-consuming nature of email.

From there, it’s all about working through that all-important list and prioritising deadlines and managing clients.

I usually work from about 7.30am til 5.30, have a bit of a break for dinner and catching up with friends and family and then head back to work until about 9.30-10pm.

Name the best and worst parts of your job

Without doubt the best part of my job is the freedom. I love working for myself and being able to run my own show. I manage my own clients, my emails, my invoices, my quotes and everything in between according to my own preferences and it’s incredibly liberating.

For a while, I did my freelance writing from home, and after the novelty wore off, I realised it was a very isolating way to work. I missed things like Friday work drinks and going to lunch with colleagues. There was no endpoint to the day, and so I often found that I was working well into the night without much of a break.

Now I work from a wonderful office in Redfern, and it’s really helped my find the work-life balance I lacked before.

What do you wish someone has told you before starting as a writer?

I wish someone had told me the importance of specialising in a specific niche earlier. Becoming an authority in a particular field is incredibly important as a freelance writer – you want to become known for your immense knowledge on a certain topic or area. You want clients to seek you out for your expertise.

What’s next for you?

There’s so much on the horizon, it’s all a little overwhelming! Writer’s Edit is about to launch its first-ever freelance writing course.

And of course, my debut novel, Heart of Mist is due for release on August 31st. It’s the first in a planned trilogy, so I’ll be writing and publishing books for a while yet!

I’m also currently putting the finishing touches on a freelance writing course, which aims to help writers get their freelance career started. 

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