Erin Donohue

Erin Donohue – Editor

Word nerd, editor and published author – specialising in assessment, editing and proofreading in contemporary and YA fiction and poetry.

Overview

Kia ora, my name is Erin.

I am a poet, novelist and editor living in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara, Aotearoa. My book (Escalator Press, 2017) was a finalist in two categories in the 2018 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults and it centres around mental illness, high school and being a teen with the whole world stretched out in front of you.

I have been featured in the Auckland Writers Festival, the Nelson Readers and Writers Festival and Verb in Wellington. My novel has been studied in high school English classes around the country and my poem Slideshow was included in the 2022 NCEA level one nationwide English exam.

I write about illness, perception, disability, love, body image and fear and am currently working on a poetry collection.

I like taking pictures of the clouds, therapy, barbershop and my cat Maura, who is named after a Love Island contestant. I am my most authentic self when I am riding my moped on a sunny day or swimming in the sea, in any weather.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Coming of Age Contemporary Fiction LGBTQ Fiction Poetry Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (NZ) English (UK)
Awards
  • Finalist for Best First Book Award – New Zealand Book Awards Children and Young Adults
  • Finalist for Copyright Licensing NZ Award – New Zealand Book Awards Children and Young Adults
Certifications
  • Bachelor of Applied Arts in Creative Writing
  • Post-Graduate Diploma in Publishing

Work experience

Thomson Reuters

Aug, 2018 — Present
I edit, proofread and produce law journals, textbooks and specialist legal books on a range of topics.

Steele Roberts Aotearoa

Oct, 2017 — Oct, 2017 (less than a minute)
While on a work placement as a publishing assistant, I assessed fiction manuscripts that were submitted for publication, designed marketing collateral and edited fiction manuscripts for publication.

Allen and Unwin

Jul, 2017 — Jul, 2017 (less than a minute)
While on a work placement as a publishing assistant, I wrote marketing newsletters, proofread manuscript in their final stages before publication and assessment manuscripts that were submitted for publication.

Whitireia New Zealand

Feb, 2017 — Nov, 2017 (9 months)
While working on this course, I edited, marketed and typeset real publications while also learning from and working with top industry professionals.

Self-employed

Feb, 2015 — Present

Erin has 6 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

steve B.

steve B.

Sep, 2025

Erin was amazing to work with! She was responsive and provided incredibly valuable feedback. I would recommend her to anyone and will look to work with her again
Campbell A.

Campbell A.

Aug, 2024

Erin was thorough in her manuscript assessing and editing by being clear and specific about how and where I can improve my craft as well acknowledging strongpoints. Her own novel 'Because Everything is Right But Everything is Wrong' played a part in inspiring me to write my own manuscript with a...
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Jon Z.

Jon Z.

May, 2023

Erin did a great job editing a technical legal book for me. Erin is obviously experienced, professional and prompt. I will use her on my next book.
jamie L.

jamie L.

Apr, 2023

This is the second round of edits for my book Clockwork: The Order of the Hour. I am once again very impressed. I look forward to working with Erin in the future and would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a fantastic editor.
Erin D.
Love working with Jamie! He’s so dedicated and open to change. A dream author
jamie L.

jamie L.

Sep, 2022

Erin was a pleasure to work with. Her work is clear and thorough. If there needed to be a change to the contract she would let me know in good time. I look forward to working with her again

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