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Our Director.

Dr Erin O’Dwyer

Erin O’Dwyer is a storytelling expert and the founding director of Good Prose Studios. She has been a passionate storyteller for over 25 years, working across print, digital, broadcast and publishing media.

Erin’s story

Like many journalists of her generation, Erin got her start in newspapers. As technology changed, she found herself telling stories across a range of different platforms including magazines, online news, social media, radio and podcasting. She also worked in film and TV policy, and in communications – crafting strategic storytelling for corporates and non-profits. Along the way, Erin earned a PhD in English literature, studying different storytelling genres.

Erin’s broad experiences set her on a path to develop the 21 Laws of Storytelling – which she describes as the universal drivers of great storytelling. The rules apply no matter the setting, be it boardroom, courtroom, conference stage or classroom. And no matter the genre, channel, platform or medium.

Erin uses the 21 Laws of Storytelling to help her clients bring their stories to life.

Erin’s expertise

Erin has been recognised three times in the Australian UN Media Peace Awards for her social issues journalism. She is also a Walkley Awards finalist.

She has reported on social issues in Australia and internationally – covering everything from crime to climate change, to politics, to Indigenous affairs, to intergenerational inequality. Her storytelling has appeared in publications as diverse as The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Good Weekend, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian, Australian Geographic, Marie Claire and Vogue, and ABC’s Radio National.

Erin has also held leadership roles, in corporate and non-profit settings. Her broad strategic and tactical experience includes crisis communications, social media management, partnerships, governance, government relations and community engagement.

Erin is a passionate writing teacher and coach. For two decades, she has taught storytelling at writing centres and universities including the University of Sydney, UTS, UNSW and QUT.

Erin holds a PhD (UTS), a BA in Media Studies (UQ). She is also a qualified lawyer, with an LLB (Hons) and a GDLP (ANU), admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of NSW. She has served on a number of non-profit Boards.

The mother of identical twin boys, Erin lives on the NSW South Coast. 

Dr Erin O'Dwyer

Our Team.

Linda has worked for national and international newswires and in the federal parliamentary press gallery and has contributed to media including The Wall Street Journal, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, Sunday Life and www.news.com.au.

As a communications specialist in the non-profit, education and public sectors, Linda has managed media and crisis communications and website redevelopments; written speeches; provided strategic advice and media training to executives and navigated complex stakeholder relationships.

Linda holds a Masters of Journalism (UoW).

She supports others to sharpen and elevate their voice.

Linda began her career as a teenager writing for her local newspaper and has for 30 years worked as a journalist, editor, writer, ghost writer and communications adviser across metropolitan, regional and specialist media, at universities, non-profits and in the public sector.

Linda McSweeny

Senior Writer/Editor

She then returned to Australia to complete an Honours Degree (on the cultural differences between Shakespeare and Monzaemon) followed by a PhD (on intergenerational trauma and Japanese diasporic literature), both at Murdoch University. Being half-Japanese and having lived in Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, England, and Australia, Teresa has always been interested in stories which showcase the diversity of our world. Teresa has taught at the Western Sydney University (WSU) and UNSW. As a freelance editor and proofreader, she helps authors create their best-possible manuscripts across a wide range of fictional genres. She has been instrumental in helping business people write industry-specific books, lawyers and judges write legal textbooks, and academics perfect journal articles, translation and postgraduate dissertations.

Teresa is passionate about helping authors through the complicated, intellectually challenging, and emotionally charged journey of writing. 

Teresa began her career in London, as a researcher at HarperCollins Illustrated and a picture editor at Murdoch Books. Following a BA in English and Comparative Literature at Murdoch University, she completed an accelerated Honours Degree at Cambridge University (on Shakespeare in film).

Teresa Goudie

Senior Editor​

She holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Public Relations and a Graduate Diploma in International Security from the University of Sydney.

Ina also studied in the US and the Netherlands, graduating with a BA in American Studies from Radboud University.

Born and raised in Germany, Ina has found a home in Australia. She uses her interests, natural curiosity and versatility to find the best solution for any problem.

Ina enjoys learning from others – their story and experience – and thrives on mastering a new skill.

Ina is a communications professional, with broad experience across public relations, publishing, journalism, politics and stakeholder engagement.

Ina Holzapfel

Editorial Co-ordinator

Having taken Cambridge A Level Media Studies in high school alongside various non-profit projects, Sharon has built a strong portfolio in writing, photography, videography, and social media. Now studying Media and Communications, she is an active member of Sydney Uni’s newsroom, publishing for Salience and The Junction. She also serves as the Media and Communications Director at Indonesian Association New South Wales (ISANSW).

Sharon’s recent achievements include a High Commendation in the 2023 Ossie Awards for her article “Yes Campaign Thanks Volunteers in Sydney’s Inner West” and the exclusive airing of her debut podcast “Sirius and the Moon” on FBI Radio.

Sharon is excited to hone and contribute her skills as she deepens her media industry knowledge at Good Prose Studios.

Sharon is an international student at the University of Sydney. She grew up in Indonesia, and is fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, French and English. She enjoys exploring different cultures, languages, and various methods of storytelling, including writing, video, social media and audio.

Sharon Wongosari

Editorial Assistant