About me
Be it editing, interviewing or ‘just’ supporting I take great pleasure in collaborating with publishers, established authors and emerging writers in a variety of ways.
I have tertiary qualifications in Journalism and English Literature, Education and Editing & Proofreading.
I have experience working in media, public relations and corporate communications. I’ve been a secondary school teacher, worked in Arts engagement and also as a writers festival programmer and administrator.
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![Cecile Shanahan n conversation with Kate Mildenhall]()
In conversation with Kate Mildenhall
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![Two women sitting and smiling during a book event with a banner behind them. The banner promotes Amy Doak's mystery thriller book, 'Eleanor Jones Can't Keep a Secret' and mentions her other book, 'Playing With Fire'.]()
In conversation with Amy Doak
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![Two women smiling and standing outside a building with glass windows and decorated with flower and butterfly stickers. One woman is holding a book titled 'Rachel Johns'.]()
Cecile and Rachael Johns
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![A smiling woman holding a stack of colorful books stands next to a colorful mailbox-shaped library kiosk in a wooded area with trees. The kiosk has sections labeled for different book genres.]()
Community street library
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![A smiling woman wearing a yellow volunteer vest stands behind a table with books at a book sale event.]()
Volunteering at Bendigo Foodshare Book Fair
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![A woman and a man standing indoors in front of a banner with an open book logo. The woman is wearing glasses and a gray blazer, while the man has a beard and is wearing a dark jacket. Both are smiling at the camera.]()
Cecile and Chris Hammer
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![Two women seated at a round table engaged in conversation. The woman on the left holds a microphone, and the woman on the right, wearing glasses, listens thoughtfully. The table has three glasses of champagne, a glass with a lime wedge, some papers, a book, a blue cup, and a pink notepad. The setting appears to be a professional or conference environment.]()
In conversation with Professor Clare Wright
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![Panel discussion at a literary event with four women and one man on stage, seated in armchairs, with a large screen behind them displaying the event title and speakers, in a theater with ornate decor.]()
Moderating a session at Bendigo Writers Festival with Reece Carter, Gabrielle Wang & Ailsa Wild
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![Two women sitting at a table with microphones in front of them, smiling at the camera. They are in a conference or event setting with a banner for La Trobe University behind them.]()
Cecile and Jacqueline Bublitz
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In conversation with John Marsden
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Davitts Judges 2025
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![Cecile talks into the microphone at a publishing workshop]()
Cecile with Alison Barton, Ailsa Wild and Emily Hart at Clunes Book Town 2026
Fun facts about me
I love to share my passion for books and reading on Instagram: @cec_loves_words
I read every day in multiple formats (paperback, audiobook, ebook) and across all genres. I try to read mostly Australian books.
I am currently on the Editors Victoria Committee, responsible for communications, and sit on the IPEd Standing Committee for Awards and Prizes.
I was a volunteer Independent Director on the National Board of The Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA).
Before turning to editing I was a secondary school English and Media teacher and, prior to this, I completed an Arts (Journalism) degree at RMIT (majoring in English Literature) and worked in government communications.
I have tertiary qualifications in Professional Editing and Proofreading.
I run a community Street Library.
I am currently a member of the CBCA Communications sub-committee.
I am aiming to do better at reading First Nations, culturally diverse and own voice stories.
About 95% of what I read, in any given year, was penned by an Australian author.
More than half of what I read each year is children’s and young adult literature because I believe it’s the best kid-lit in the world.
I sometimes work at a local library - and love it!