Susan Hall provides publishing services from commissioning and editing to end-to-end project management
Editorial
Editorial work ranging from structural editing, copyediting and proofreading.
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Project Management
End-to-end project management from list building to delivery of printed books, including commissioning editors, illustrators and designers.
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Children's Books
Expertise in list creation and work on developing individual children's titles.
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Susan's Experience
Susan was born in England and an early influence was visiting the printer where her father worked. She was allowed to take home ‘dummy books’ and filled the empty pages with her stories and illustrations (including the imprint page and blurb, of course). She has always been interested in marrying words and pictures in book form. Susan graduated from Cambridge University in English Literature but spent every university holiday working for publishers around the UK.
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Editorial
Susan has worked for major UK publishers such as JM Dent and Sons, Pavilion Books and Mitchell Beazley. Her career has incorporated work for large and small companies, including listed companies such as Quarto plc and small book packagers such as Sheldrake Press. At the latter, she was able to experience not only editing but also selling foreign rights, attending the Frankfurt and Bologna bookfairs. Highlights from these years include editing Antonio Carluccio’s and Madher Jaffrey’s cookbooks and editing scented books in association with Penhaligon’s perfumers. In France, Susan worked for Albin Michel on adapting for the French market a book of facsimile love letters, which required many hours of research in the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
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After arriving in Australia, Susan first edited the Canberra Arts magazine for the National Library in association with the ACT government, and then worked on editorial projects for the National Archives and the National Gallery of Australia.
Publishing and Project Management
Susan undertook a publishing consultancy at the National Museum of Australia. Following this, she started work as Publishing Manager at the National Library of Australia, later becoming the Publisher. She was at the National Library of Australia until January 2021, leaving after 16 years to pursue a freelance publishing and writing career. Many successful adult illustrated non-fiction titles showcasing the Library’s collection were published during this time. These included The Beach by Robert Drewe, Steam Australia by Tim Fischer and First Fleet Surgeon by David Hill. Among the latest titles were Living with the Locals: Early Europeans’ Experience of Indigenous Life by Victoria Haskins and John Maynard and Australia's First Naturalists by Penny Olsen and Lynette Russell. Exhibition catalogues included National Treasures of Australia’s Great Libraries and Mapping Our World.
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Children's Books
At the National Library, Susan set up the children’s list, which blossomed into an award-winning enterprise. Her book Guess Who? (which sold over 10,000 copies) kickstarted the list, which grew as she commissioned picture book authors and illustrators such as Ursula Dubosarsky and Ron Brooks (Midnight at the Library), Coral Vass and Dub Leffler (Sorry Day) and Jane Jolly and Robert Ingpen (Tea and Sugar Christmas and Radio Rescue). Non-fiction books included the award-winning ‘Backyard’ series and recent titles such as Australia’s Wild Weird Wonderful Weather by Stephanie Owen Reeder and Tania McCartney. Historical retellings in a mix of fiction and fact included Strangers on Country by Kirsty Murray and Dub Leffler and the ‘Heritage Heroes’ series.
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Susan draws on over 30 years' experience in the publishing industry. Books she has commissioned have won 31 awards from the CBCA (three winners), one winner of the Wilderness Society Award for Children's Literature and three State Premier's Awards (one winner and two runners-up).
Writing
Susan has written for children whilst undertaking her publishing career. Her 20 books for the National Library cover non-fiction, poetry and picture books. Four of these books were translated and published by the National Library of China. She has also published with The School Magazine and Cricket Magazine in the US. She is currently working on a middle grade fiction project.
Testimonials
I have had the pleasure of working with Susan Hall on a couple of books I published with the National Library: True Light and Shade – An Aboriginal Perspective of Joseph Lycett’s Art, and Living with the Locals. I cannot recommend Susan more highly. She is knowledgeable, passionate and deeply committed to producing quality publications.
Emeritus Professor John Maynard
Working with Susan Hall on my book Midnight at the Library was truly a highlight of my life as a writer. Her creative imagination, her visionary purpose, her sensitivity and tact, her deep and broad knowledge of all aspects of publishing, her fine and nuanced intelligence and judgment at every stage of the process made it an experience to treasure.
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Ursula Dubosarsky, author
Susan Hall is one of the best in the business when it comes to publishing. Working with her was an absolute delight. With a wealth of experience and wisdom, Susan can spot potential and knows how to draw the best out of her authors and illustrators, with gentleness and professionalism. Her insight and support are next to none and I will be forever grateful for the privilege of working with Susan.
Coral Vass, author
Having had the good fortune of working with Susan on several books, I have always been struck by her humble professionalism and approachable manner. I would trust her with any project any day. Working with Susan is always a positive experience.
Dub Leffler, illustrator
As an author, I feel privileged to have worked on several illustrated books with Susan. Throughout the whole process, from proposing a subject, to development of the text, choice of illustrations and design and marketing, she was enthusiastic and engaged. Her wisdom helped shape many of my publications, not only in content but presentation. Indeed, she helped develop a 'look' that was unique to National Library publications and is now widely imitated. Not least, I believe that, through my association with her, I have developed as a writer.
Dr Penny Olsen, author and ornithologist
It was so very easy working with Susan to finesse the manuscripts for New Year Surprise, and The Imagineer; to make the rough edges smooth, the laborious phrases sing and to tweak the text to make it shine. She understands creators and our need for gentle and careful guidance to craft our very best work for the world. She cares deeply about the books that she creates - and the creators too.
Christopher Cheng, author