Sonja K. Goernitz, M.A.
Mobile: +49-(0)-163 2544 749
sonja @ sonjakg.com
Summary
Education
2001–2002: Master of Arts in International Communication, Macquarie University, Sydney (incl. three courses in the Postgraduate Qualifying Program), Distinction
1997–2001: Bachelor of Arts in Librarianship, University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg (incl. two semesters at Macquarie University and one semester of industry experience at IBM Global Services Australia in Sydney), High Distinction
Scholarship and grants
2007+2008: Austrade, Export Market Development Grants
1999–2002: Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Scholarship
2001: Macquarie University, Travel Grant
2000: DAAD, Travel Grant (offer received)
1999: Carl Duisberg Society, Travel Grant
1999: Karl-Heinz-Ditze Foundation, Travel Grant
Corporate world, incl. commercial and public media (1992–2013)
Around 40 contract roles, mainly as an editorial/PR assistant, incl. 18 positions at the publisher Gruner + Jahr (e.g. "stern") in Hamburg (1994–2003), one position at the broadcaster NDR/ARD ("Tagesschau", "Tagesthemen" and "Wochenspiegel") in Hamburg (1995) and one position at Bertelsmann Music Group in New York (1994)
At least 14 editorial internships, e.g. at ARD in Tokyo (2002) and the ABC's "Four Corners" in Sydney (2002)
One part-time position as an in-house online editor in Sydney (LexisNexis Pacific, 2011–2013)
Small business, ABN (2004–2019)
Research and edit for authors – mainly for Peter FitzSimons
Guest speaker at Paracelsus Hospital in Bad Essen (300+ guests)
Edited menus, created a 50-page photo book for Burger Fährhaus
Produced and promoted my books, e.g. at the Frankfurt Book Fair
Produced and promoted my monthly Writers magazine in Australia
Wrote articles that appeared in Australian or German print/online media
Informed journalists about my books and magazine, who reported about them
Attended more than 40 business-related courses/seminars in Sydney
Attended more than 20 literature/media events in Australia, Europe and Asia
Taught book-publishing courses at Mosman Community College in Sydney
Maintain data on my website and in social media (Twitter, Facebook)
Membership and volunteering
2018: Board Member of Bündnis Grundeinkommen, Germany
2012: Committee Member of the Society of Women Writers NSW
2011–2012: Board Member of the Foreign Correspondents' Association
2010–2011: Committee Member of the Society of Editors NSW
Visas and migration to Australia
2009: Dual Citizen (German and Australian)
2005: Australian Permanent Resident
2003: Australian Temporary Resident
2000–2002: Student Visas (Australia)
1998–1999: Working Holiday Visa (Australia)
1994+1995: Work & Travel Visas (USA)
***
Bestselling Author Peter FitzSimons:
"Sonja Goernitz, meanwhile is a dual German-Australian citizen, who first started working with me for my book Tobruk in 2005. For this book, it was very useful that she was living back in Germany for most of the time I was writing it, enabling her to go in person to the many archives and libraries to find the material to bring to life the German experience at Villers-Bretonneux. Her ability to locate and then translate long slabs of German regimental histories, her understanding of the language and culture of the time was crucial to turning up fresh material for this account and fine-tuning it to accuracy." (Victory at Villers-Bretonneux, 2016)
"Sonja Goernitz meanwhile is a dual German-Australian citizen, with whom I have worked for one good decade now. Starting with my book Tobruk in 2005. For this book too, not only her research and referencing skills and her familiarity with German history, culture and language were invaluable, but also her record-keeping drive." (Fromelles & Pozières, 2015)
"Sonja Goernitz is a dual German-Australian citizen familiar with the highways and byways of German historical institutions, and she was able to return to her homeland to winkle out gems from the German side of the equation. She was tireless in her efforts, and I thank her." (Gallipoli, 2014)
"Sonja Goernitz also had enormous input into this book, as with all of my last seven books, using her prodigious research skills to turn up treasure after treasure." (Ned Kelly, 2013)
"I met my long-time researcher Sonja Goernitz at the Sydney Writers' Festival seven years ago, and when I found she was German-born I thought I could probably use her talents for, perhaps, a day or two as I researched and wrote Tobruk. She has worked for me on every book since and has been invaluable in terms of general research for Eureka, most particularly on the parts of the story set in New South Wales." (Eureka, 2012)
“I offer my deep appreciation to my long-time researcher Sonja Goernitz, who was a great help across the board.” (Mawson and the Ice Men of the Heroic Age, 2011)
+++ More +++
***
Details
Self-employed (ABN)
2005–2019: Researched and edited for Peter FitzSimons:
2018–2019: Captain Cook: The Story Behind the Man who Mapped the World
2017–2018: The Catalpa Rescue
2016–2017: Burke & Wills
2015–2016: Victory at Villers-Bretonneux
2014–2015: Fromelles & Pozières
2013–2014: Gallipoli
2012–2013: Ned Kelly
2011–2012: Eureka
2010–2011: Batavia
2009–2010: Mawson
2008–2009: A Simpler Time
2007–2008: Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men
2006–2007: The Ballad of Les Darcy
2005–2006: Tobruk
2017: Researched family tree of a local lady, Burg
2017: Edited and formatted menus, created a photo book for Burger Fährhaus, Burg
2016: Edited legal text for LexisNexis Australia, Burg
2015: Assessed a woman’s family memoir, Sydney
2014: Edited James Hunter’s memoir; Sydney, Bowen, Hamburg
2014: Edited parts of a woman’s guide about nutrition and exercise, Sydney
2014: Edited parts of Ian Edwards’s biography about his uncle in WWII, Hamburg
2013: Edited an organisation's book about change management, Sydney
2010–2013: Edited, formatted and published Allan Hickey's autobiography (For What It's Worth); Sydney, Wagga Wagga
2013: Consulted an author about publishing her crime novel, Sydney
2011–2012: Edit Paul Bedbrook's biography about his father, Sydney
2012: Assisted two local writers with their book projects, Sydney
2010–2012: Taught Write, Publish & Market Your Own Book at Mosman Community College, Sydney
2012/10: Taught Write, Publish & Market Your Own Book at a writers’ retreat, Sydney (Pittwater)
2012: Chris Maait and I taught photo-book courses together at Mosman Community College, Sydney
2009–2010: Edited June Dally-Watkins’s guidebook about manners (Be The Best You Can Be), Sydney
2009: Researched speakers for interstate discussion panels hosted by Peter Thompson (ANZSOG/ABC), Sydney
2009: Edited Bruce Lyman’s novel about life in Iraq (Flowers of Baghdad), Sydney
2009: Edited the anthology of the Fast Twitch writers' group (Black & White with Colour), Sydney
2009: Edited Nicholas Henning's second novel (The American Dream: From Perth to Sacramento), Sydney
2007–2008: Researched, translated, edited and formatted Frank Olivier’s Mutti’s Story; Sydney, Berlin
2008: Edited Nicholas Henning's first novel (Brennan Cooper), Sydney
2008: Formatted a biography for a German writer; Frankfurt/Main, Sydney
2007: Edited David Wiseman’s novel about a man who wins the lotto, Sydney
2007: Hired and supervised a German intern/student for two months, Sydney
2004: Produced the monthly newsletter for Two Men and a Truck, Sydney
2004: Started my small business as a writer and journalist (ABN), Sydney
1997–1998: Developed the first electronic archive for Szene Verlag, Hamburg
1996: Wrote TV previews for Hamburger Morgenpost, Hamburg
Membership
2018–2021: Sozialverband Deutschland
2016–2021: Bündnis Grundeinkommen, Germany
2016–2021: Dithmarscher Betreuungsverein, Meldorf
2001–2021: Foreign Correspondents' Association, Sydney
2002–2014: NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
2004–2014: Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
2005–2014: Copyright Agency Limited, Sydney
2012–2013: Australian Fellowship of Writers, Sydney
2011–2013: Society of Women Writers NSW, Sydney
2008–2012: Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
2011: Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers, Sydney
2011: Northern Rivers Writers' Centre, Byron Bay
2004–2005: Australian Publishers Association, Sydney
Volunteering
2016–2021: Legal Guardian for my Father, Burg (Dithmarschen)
2016–2020: Coordinator of the Colouring-in Group, DRK retirement home, Burg
2017–2018: Secretary of the Advisory Board of the DRK retirement home, Burg
2018: Interim Federal Board Member (for Meck-Pomm), BGE, Germany
2016–2017: Assistant for the Singing Group, DRK Haus Sonnenschein, Burg
2010–2013: Social Coordinator, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
2012: Committee Member, LexisNexis Cares (The Big Issue), Sydney
2012: Committee Member, Society of Women Writers NSW, Sydney
2011–2012: Board Member, Foreign Correspondents' Association, Sydney
2010–2011: Committee Member, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
2004–2006: Team Leader, FES Scholars in Australia, Sydney
2002: Team Leader, National Elections (Postal Votes), City of Hamburg, Hamburg
2001: Communications-Unit Assistant, UNICEF Australia, Sydney
2000: IT-Helpdesk, IBM, Intl. Broadcast Centre at Olympics, Sydney
1999: Archives Assistant, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney
1998–2000, Examination-Board Member, University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg
1998–2000: PR-Team Member for Book Fairs, University of Applied Sciences; Hamburg, Frankfurt, Leipzig
Corporate world (2003–2013, Australia)
2011–2013: LexisNexis, eBook Editor (part-time, 7.4.2011 – 15.1.2013), Sydney
2009: IMC, Event Manager (13.7. – 9.10.2009); Sydney, Melbourne and Henty
2005: ABC, Information Coordinator (29.8. – 23.11.2005), Sydney
2005: IPCA, Project Manager (18.1. – 15.6.2005); Sydney, Adelaide
2004: Harlequin Mills & Boon, Event Manager (9.9. – 24.9.2004), Sydney
2004: Argus Solutions, Receptionist (5.7. – 20.8.2004), Sydney
2004: NSW Writers Centre, Course Coordinator (17.2. – 20.3.2004), Sydney
2004: Canon, Sales Administrator (5.1. – 13.2.2004), Sydney
Corporate world (1993–2003, Germany)
2003: Gruner + Jahr, stern (19.2. – 30.4.2003), Editorial Assistant, Hamburg
2002+2003: Gruner + Jahr, News Library (10–23.9.2002, 12–16.5.2003*), Executive Assistant, Hamburg
2002: Gruner + Jahr, Neues Wohnen Inspiration (30.9. – 8.10.2002, 16–29.10.2002, 7–29.11.2002*), Editorial Assistant, Hamburg
1999: Gruner + Jahr, “Start Up” Competition (4–8.1.1999, 15.1.1999), Administrator, Hamburg
1998: Action Press (part-time, 3.11. – 30.12.1998), Editorial Assistant, Hamburg
1998–1999: Szene Hamburg (casual, 27.2.1998 – 22.1.1999), Event Hostess (“Fisch sucht Fahrrad”-Parties), Hamburg
1997: Szene Hamburg (part-time, 1.7. – 12.9.1997), Editorial Assistant, Hamburg
1997: Axel Springer (3.6. – 31.8.1997*, part-time from 2.7.1997), Advertising Assistant, Hamburg
1997: AlsterRadio (casual, 28.4. – 30.8.1997*), Receptionist, Hamburg
1997: Gruner + Jahr (casual, 8–15.4.1997*), Administrator, Hamburg
1997: Gruner + Jahr, Henri Nannen Journalism School (casual, 24.2. – 29.8.1997), Executive Assistant, Hamburg
1996–1997: Gruner + Jahr (16.12.1996 – 10.1.1997*), Executive Assistant, Hamburg
1996: Gruner + Jahr, Henri Nannen Journalism School (26.8. – 29.11.1996*), Information Coordinator, Hamburg
1996: Gruner + Jahr, Hamburger Morgenpost (part-time, 2–25.8.1996*), Executive Assistant, Hamburg
1996: Gruner + Jahr, IPV (9–30.5.1996*), Office Assistant, Hamburg
1995–1996: Gruner + Jahr, Gala (12.12.1995 – 1.3.1996*), Editorial Assistant, Hamburg
1995: NDR/ARD (part-time, 23.2. – 28.5.1995), Editorial Assistant (Tagesschau, Tagesthemen, Wochenspiegel)
1995: Gruner + Jahr, News Library (part-time, 9.3. – 9.6.1995), Executive Assistant, Hamburg
1994: Gruner + Jahr (8.6. – 22.7.1994), Mail Clerk, Hamburg
1993–1994: AlsterRadio (casual, 16.7.1993 – 25.3.1994), Receptionist, Hamburg
* Summarised (at times a few roles in parallel)
Internships and industry experience
2002: ABC, “Four Corners” (4–15.3.2002), Research, Sydney
2002: ARD, German TV Network (28.1. – 15.2.2002), Research, Tokyo
1999: IBM Global Services Australia (19.4. – 24.9.1999), Research, Sydney
1999: Network TEN (8–19.3.1999), TV News/News Library, Melbourne
1995: Philadelphia Weekly, Journalist/Editor (Events Calendar), Philadelphia
1994: BMG, Publicity Department (1.8. – 19.10.1994), Executive PR-Assistant, New York
1994: AlsterRadio (28.3. – 31.5.1994), Journalist (News and Current Affairs), Hamburg
1993: Marie Claire (1.12.1993 – 31.1.1994), Journalist (Interview); Munich, Frankfurt
1993: Bild (8–29.10.1993), Journalist (News and Current Affairs), Hamburg
1993: Bild (1–30.9.1993), Journalist (News and Current Affairs), Berlin
1993: Heimat Echo (22.2. – 2.4.1993), Journalist (Local News), Hamburg
1992: Segeln (29.6. – 21.8.1992), Journalist (Book Review); Hamburg
Courses and seminars
2020:
Two webinars about film production (incl. Final Cut Pro X) and one about radio production
2019–20 (WS):
Guest student at Hamburg University, Manuscript Cultures in Asia, Africa and Europe
2016:
Video Journalism, FES JournalistenAkademie, Hamburg
Innovative Tools und Apps, FES JournalistenAkademie, Online
Documentary Film-Making, FES JournalistenAkademie, Hamburg
2015:
Business Health Check, Better Business Partnership, Sydney
Biographiearbeit, Volkshochschule, Brunsbüttel
2014:
Life Encounters & Relationships, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
2013:
Philosophy of Education, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Communicate Professionally, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Writing the Erotic, NSW Writers' Centre, Sydney
Sex, Love & Intimacy, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Screenwriting, Australian Film Television and Radio School, Sydney
Life Stories: Typologies, Living Way/Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Creative Writing, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Life Stories: Foundation, Living Way/Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Adaptation, Australian Film Television and Radio School, Sydney
2012:
Memoir Writing, Woollahra Library's Local Writers' Word Festival, Sydney
US Tax for Aussies, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Teach Creatively, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Classroom Management, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Get Branded, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Social Forms, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Destiny, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
E-Exchange, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Introduction to Anthroposophy, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Human Psychology, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
Personal and Professional Development, Sydney Rudolf Steiner College, Sydney
2011:
Style Council Conference, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
Indexing for Editors, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
Writing Family History, NSW Writers' Centre, Sydney
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), LexisNexis, Sydney
Telling Your Story: Media Skills for the Writer, ASA, Sydney
Grammar Essentials, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
Editing Intensive II, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
2010:
Editing Intensive I, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
The Future is Now: eBooks and Bookselling in Australia, Australian Booksellers Association, Sydney
Publishing and Editing Children's Picture Books, Society of Editors (NSW), Sydney
Funding Applications, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Small Business Management, Mosman Community College, Sydney
Professional Editing, NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
2009:
Business of Writing, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Conversations about Wealth, Sydney
Write Right, Manly Warringah Community College, Sydney
2004:
Arts Law Seminar for Writers, Australian Society of Authors, Sydney
Marketing Yourself as a Freelance Writer, NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
How You Can Make a Living from Your Travel Articles, NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
Writing and Selling Feature Articles, NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
Non-Fiction – Nothing but the Truth, NSW Writers Centre, Sydney
2003:
Small Business Management, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Bonn
Feature Writing, Journalism School Ruhr, Essen
2002:
Jerusalem, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Bonn
Jobs in Politics and Administration, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Bonn
Graduation and then?, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Berlin
Global Change, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Bonn
2001–2002:
Japanese, Essential 1–3, Technos Language Commerce College, Sydney
2000:
Newspaper Production, Journalism School Ruhr, Erfurt
Political Reporting, Journalism School Ruhr; Essen, Düsseldorf
Politics and Public Relations, Neue Soziale Bewegungen; Siegen, Freudenberg
Introduction Seminar, Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Bonn
1996:
Online Research, Henri Nannen Journalism School, Hamburg
1996–1997:
French, Intermediate, Hamburger Volkshochschule, Hamburg
Finnish for Beginners, Hamburger Volkshochschule, Hamburg
Events
2019:
Diary Slam (Grüner Jäger), Hamburg
2018:
Opening night, "Free Lunch Society", Hamburg
Diary Slam (Grüner Jäger), Hamburg
Extraordinary General Meeting, BGE, Hanover
2017:
BGEOpen, Göttingen
Travel Convention, Hamburg
2015:
Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt/Main
HarbourFront Literaturfestival, Hamburg
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Media event (FCA), Vivid, Sydney
2014:
HarbourFront Literaturfestival, Hamburg
Altonale, Hamburg
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Writers' Week, Adelaide
2013:
Literary lunch of the Society of Women Writers NSW, Sydney
Foreign Correspondents' Association's Christmas party, Sydney
Creative Non-fiction Festival, NSW Writers' Centre, Sydney
National Writers' Congress, Sydney
HarbourFront Literaturfestival, Hamburg
Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
2012:
Media trip (FCA), Canberra
Luncheon of the Society of Women Writers NSW (Speaker), Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Internet Show Melbourne, Melbourne
2011:
Kevin Rudd's address to the National Press Club (FCA), Canberra
Newcastle Young Writers' Festival, Newcastle
Byron Bay Writers' Festival, Byron Bay
Sydney Film Festival, Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Williamstown Writers' Festival, Melbourne
2010:
Brisbane Writers' Festival, Brisbane
Peter FitzSimons’s book event at Stanton Library, Sydney
Launch of Peter FitzSimons's A Simpler Time, Peats Ridge
Sydney Writers' Festival; Sydney, Parramatta
2009:
Kevin Rudd's launch of Peter FitzSimons's Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men, Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
2008:
Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt/Main
Media trip (FCA), Zerorisk training, Hunter Valley
Brisbane Writers' Festival, Brisbane
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Writers' Week, Adelaide
Media trip (FCA), Christchurch and Canterbury region, New Zealand
2007:
Australian Authors' and Publishers' Book Show (17–18.11.2007), Sydney
Media trip (FCA), Cape York
Manly Writers’ Festival, Sydney
Brisbane Writers' Festival, Brisbane
Launch of Peter FitzSimons's The Ballad of Les Darcy, East Maitland
Beijing International Book Fair, Beijing
Writing for Children & Young Adults Festival, Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Writers at Stanton (Speaker), Sydney
2006:
Launch of Frank Olivier's biography of his mother (Speaker), Sydney
Australian Authors' and Publishers' Book Show (Speaker), Sydney
Investment Conference, Sydney
History Writing Festival, Sydney
Brisbane Writers' Festival, Brisbane
Peter FitzSimons’s literary lunch, Sydney
Byron Bay Writers Festival, Byron Bay
Kim Beazley's launch of Peter FitzSimons’s Tobruk, Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Writers' Week, Adelaide
2005:
Australian Authors' and Publishers' Bookshow, Sydney
History Writing Festival, Sydney
WordStorm/NT Writers’ Festival, Darwin
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
Romance Writing Festival, Sydney
Conflux 2 (Speaker), Canberra
MEAA Freelance Convention, Sydney
Speculative Fiction Festival, Sydney
Australian Publishers Association, AGM, Sydney
Perth Writers' Week, Perth
Media trip (FCA), Canberra
2004:
Australian Publishers & Authors Bookshow, Sydney
Canberra Readers & Writers Festival, Canberra
History Writing Festival, Sydney
Brisbane Writers' Festival, Brisbane
Melbourne Writers' Festival, Melbourne
Media trip (FCA), 2nd Great Walk, Airlie Beach
Popular Readers & Writers Festival, Sydney
Media trip (FCA), 1st Great Walk, Fraser Island
Sydney Writers' Festival; Sydney, Katoomba
Speculative Fiction Festival, NSW Writers’ Centre, Sydney
2002:
Frankfurt Book Fair, Frankfurt
FES meeting, Brisbane
FCA trip, "Budget Lockup", Canberra
Cebit, Sydney
Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney
2001:
FES Meeting, Brisbane
1996+1997:
Travel Convention, Hamburg
Education
2001–2002: MA in International Communication, Macquarie University, Sydney (Distinction)
2002: Research Semester, Dissertation: “Media Competition and Cooperation in Australia, Germany and Japan” (Submitted/no mark)
2002: Writing for the Media I, Print (Credit)
2001: Writing for the Media II, Broadcast (Distinction)
2001: Popular Culture Projects (High Distinction)
2001: Intercultural Communication (Credit)
2001 (Postgraduate Qualifying Program): Information Campaigns (Distinction)
2001 (Postgraduate Qualifying Program): Communication Research Methods (Distinction)
2001 (Postgraduate Qualifying Program): Communication and Society, Economics and Politics (Distinction)
1997–2001: BA in Librarianship, University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg (High Distinction)
2001: Final Exams: Editorial Practise, Information Management and Information Service (High Distinction)
2001: Dissertation: “Evaluation and Improvement of the IBM Info System at the Sydney Olympics” (High Distinction)
2001 (Study Abroad): Commendation for an Outstanding Group Presentation (28.10.2001)
2001 (Study Abroad): Certificate of Merit for the Participation (Photography) in the Macquarie University Centre for International Communication 10-Year-Anniversary Function (30.8.2001)
2000 (Study Abroad): News & Current Affairs (Distinction)
2000 (Study Abroad): Microeconomic Principles (Distinction)
2000 (Study Abroad): Media & the Asia Pacific (Distinction)
2000 (Study Abroad): Culture & Technology (Distinction)
1999: Intermediate Dissertation: “DIN1463 and beyond” (High Distinction)
1992–1997: Philosophy, Hamburg University (Orientation)
1992: High School Certificate (Abitur, 2.6.1992), Carl-von-Ossietzky High School (Distinction)
German, Arts, Philosophy and Maths
***