ABOUT THE EDITOR

I’m Bailey.

I founded Olive Editing in the midst of a global pandemic, after a decade of working for the Northern Territory Public Sector in projects, policy and, finally, as an editor of parliamentary transcripts in Darwin.

I first read out loud when I was three years old. It was a billboard sign I saw while travelling with my family. My parents weren’t exactly thrilled by the fact it was an advertisement for Peter Jackson cigarettes, but nonetheless, I could read! I had already developed a rich enthusiasm for books and anything else with words on it before I had even started kindergarten.

As I grew and grew, I read and read. I wouldn’t say I was a ‘bookworm’ in the sense that I would lock myself away for days on end until I finally reached the final chapter—hey, I had a social life to attend to—but I spent a high percentage of my free time with a book in my hand.

When my friends were getting jobs in their teens, I was too focused on school and music—that’s right, folks, I’m also a muso! I helped a few of my friends write their CVs as they entered the working world. Hence, my love of fixing people’s grammar and spelling came into play.

Jump forward a few years and I landed myself a permanent stint as a Hansard editor in NT Parliament House. Finally, I was able to get paid to do my favourite thing: read! After 10 years of public sector work, I am now going out on my own. Who knows - maybe one day soon I’ll get to do my editing from a fancy location in the outback or by a stunning beach along our country’s remarkable coastline.