Megan Cuthbert

Highly experienced travel editor with strong project management experience.

• As Publisher and project editor at Hardie Grant Explore, I have conceived, commissioned and produced high quality non-fiction books, including travel guides, design-focussed lifestyle books, lifestyle, travel memoir, children's and First Nations publishing.
• In consultation with our Publishing Director, I am involved in the shaping of current and future Publishing Programs to help determine the overall shape for the imprint, taking into consideration strengths of individual titles and sales time frames, as well as ensuring a well-rounded overall program that appeals to a variety of audiences.
• My job is highly collaborative, and I am in constant communication with a variety of stakeholders, navigating their needs and requirements. This includes authors, freelance editors, designers, typesetters and printers, as well as internal sales and marketing teams to ensure that books are delivered on-time and to a high standard.
• Recent partnerships with Intrepid Travel and Australian Geographic have provided an understanding of brand partnerships, navigating the needs of different partners and collaboration required to get the best out of both brands.
• I create and maintain budgets for individual book projects, maintaining costs to ensure the financial feasibility of projects.
• I have extensive experience in all levels of editing – from developmental edits through structural edits, copyediting and proofreading.
• I have edited for a range of audiences, including Australian domestic readers/travellers, US and UK audiences, and I have versatility in terminology and style, alongside an understanding of English-speaking travel markets.
• Strong basis in design and visuals; I am hands-on in conceiving and briefing the design team for the look and feel of each individual book, and I have experience in image research and selection, to ensure the final product is appealing and inspiring.
• I began my publishing career at Luxury Travel Magazine, where I rose from Editorial Assistant to Deputy Editor in less than 2 years. This experience has given me an understanding of the separate challenges and strengths in working in the magazine publishing sector.
• I commissioned and generated content for the magazine across all channels, including magazine, website and online newsletter. I also liaised with advertisers in the creation of advertorials and travel guide inserts.
• I was involved in all areas of production of the magazine, from concept to print; I briefed and liaised with contributing writers, edited and fact-checked content, conducted image research and briefed design team, coordinated photo shoots.

An editing and project management professional with almost ten years of professional experience, I have written and edited content for magazines, travel guides, books, and websites, all visual media which require both engaging visuals and quality content. I have a proven record of consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining high standard of editorial integrity. I have editorial experience across format and audiences, but have cemented my experience with and passion for travel publishing in my role as Publisher at Hardie Grant Explore.