Meet Me

I'm Fiona Curnow, an editor and writer based in Melbourne. If I'm going to read your story, or perhaps even write it, it's only fair that I tell you something of mine...  

I established Words for Keeps in 2020 following a career as an archivist and information manager (more on that below). I love working with words, and I thrive on the challenge of organising ideas and knowledge into accessible, stylish prose.

I am experienced at editing all kinds of documents: copy for websites, journal articles, theses, corporate and government reports, training manuals, CVs. I especially love working with individuals and families who want to get their life story - or part of it - down on paper. 

My interest in life stories began during my career as an archivist at Monash and Melbourne universities and at the Public Record Office Victoria. Archives are full of stories: poignant, funny, sometimes haunting, often at risk of being forgotten. Archives reveal traces of people's lives in raw, unmediated form: the flaws, achievements, loves and tragedies. Sometimes these things are just hinted at, sometimes there's intimate detail. Working with archival records, I felt a great sense of responsibility to those whose identities and experiences I was privy to. Having glimpsed something of who they were, I owed it to them to honour their life experience and shine fresh light on their stories.

When I was ready for a career change, I decided to blend my wordsmithing skills with my conviction that each of us carries within us a personal narrative that is precious, unique and worth preserving.

Of course, conviction alone doesn't make me a good writer and editor. My qualifications include a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing, a Masters of Information Management and Systems (specialising in Archives and Records) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons). In previous roles I've written for bureaucrats (policy documents, briefings), colleagues (journal articles, research reports, training and procedural documents) and for members of the public (archives user guides, newsletter features, profile pieces). I've written stories drawn from archival research and from my own life, and I've edited the words others have written about their life journey.

It's a privilege to hear someone else's story, and to edit someone else's words. I hope you'll let me help you put your story down on paper.