5 minutes with Kylie Orr

1. What did you study at RMIT and what attracted you to that program?

I graduated RMIT with an Associate Degree in Professional Writing and Editing. I’ve been placed on RMIT’s Vice-Chancellor’s List for Academic Excellence for 2025 (top 2% of students).

2. What is your business all about?

I do all sorts of things related to writing: I write novels and articles, edit and assess manuscripts, run writing workshops, speak on and moderate panels, and mentor writers.

3. Where do you see your business in 10 years’ time?

Hopefully keeping me connected to the creative world and the fabulous aspirations of writers and readers, while paying my bills!

4. How has studying at RMIT prepared you to run your business?

I completed the course as a mature-aged student, so I had some business skills already behind me. RMIT enhanced the technical industry-specific skills I need to offer myself as a mentor and editor.

5. What advice would you have offered yourself when you first started your business?

Nurture the connections you make in the industry and through university as these will be the important word-of-mouth referrals that become the bread and butter of the business.

6. What inspired you to help upcoming authors?

I love writing and all things storytelling. I remember what it felt like to be an aspiring writer: wanting my work out in the world but also being frightened to share such a vulnerable part of myself. Because of that, I tread carefully with writers—I never want to stomp on their confidence. Having navigated the publishing world myself, with all its ups and downs, I feel I have valuable experience and hard-earned wisdom to share.