COMPLEX PROJECTS NEED MORE THAN A COPY-EDIT

(Which is why I work with academic authors in the messy middle – turning raw ideas, rough drafts, and reviewer feedback into publication-ready books and journal articles.)

WHO I AM

I’m Cait Hamilton ­– an academic editor, publishing consultant, and accredited coach. I work with academic authors to navigate the messy, demanding, and often overwhelming process of longform scholarly writing.

I’ve spent my career at the intersection of research, writing, and public impact across law, academia, and publishing. I hold a PhD in social sciences, a Master’s in international law and international relations, and I’m admitted as a lawyer in Australia.

Whether you’re reworking a journal article after peer review, turning your dissertation into a book, or deep in a monograph that won’t quite take shape, I offer expert, in-depth editorial support that brings structure, clarity, and momentum to your work.

WHAT I DO

I’m part editor, part thinking partner, and part strategist – here to help you shape your manuscript, navigate the process, and grow as a writer and academic along the way.

In working with hundreds of academic authors, I’ve seen how even the strongest research can stall. The problem is rarely just technical – it’s structural, strategic, and often personal.

The writing becomes tangled.

Reviewer feedback becomes overwhelming.

Time and confidence start to run low.

That’s where I come in – to help untangle the process, bring focus and momentum to your writing process, and shape your work into something clear, coherent, and ready for submission.

THE KIND OF WORK I DO BEST

I work best with academic authors tackling big, complex writing projects – the kind of work that needs careful shaping, thoughtful revision, and meaningful support. If you’re navigating peer review, reshaping a thesis into a book, or wrangling a manuscript that’s grown unwieldy, I’d love to hear from you.

I specialise in longer-term engagements, particularly things like dissertation-to-book transformations, revise and resubmit support, book development and proposal work, and complex or interdisciplinary academic manuscripts.

If you’re looking for basic copyediting, proofreading, or indexing, I may not be quite the right fit – but if you’re after a meaningful and strategic editorial partnership, drop me a message.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO WORK TOGETHER

My approach is collaborative, structured, and grounded in the realities of academic life. I work with a small number of clients at any one time, which means I can offer flexible, thoughtful, in-depth support ­– from big-picture strategy to careful, line-level work.

I recognise that some projects move quickly… and that others unfold slowly over months or even years. Either way, I’m here to provide calm, steady guidance – asking the right questions, helping you make clear decisions, and keeping the work moving when it feels stuck.

Working together means you’ll have someone in your corner who understands the complexity of what you’re writing – and who knows how to shape it into something coherent, compelling, and ready for publication.

NEXT STEPS 

If you’re interested in working together, the first step is to fill out the short enquiry form below. I’ll be in touch within a few days to let you know if I have availability and whether your project looks like a good fit. If so, we’ll set up a short call to talk through your project and discuss what working together could look like.