Allison Alexander
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aealexander.bsky.social
Allison Alexander
@aealexander.bsky.social
1.5K followers 360 following 1.3K posts
Book editor | Fantasy, sci-fi, & horror | Writer | Gamer | Co-host of The Worldbuilder's Tavern podcast | #RevPit editor | Chronic illness mage | Bi | She/Her ♿🌈 aealexander.com
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aealexander.bsky.social
Allison Alexander @aealexander.bsky.social · Oct 2
1. Introduce yourself! #EditorsTeaClubCommunity #Editing

I'm Allison, a freelance book editor for fantasy, sci-fi, and horror novels (I especially love dragons, foxes, and talking spaceships). Helping writers level up their manuscripts is my jam. 1/3
List of questions for October by Editors Tea Club. Question #1 is "Introduce yourself!"
aealexander.bsky.social
There are 4 types of editing, and they should be done in this order:

1. Developmental editing (big-picture level)
2. Line editing (sentence level)
3. Copy editing (grammar)
4. Proofreading (last pass after layout is complete)

#Writing #Editing
November 12, 2025 at 3:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Do you use #Scrivener and like pretty colours? I have Scrivener themes in my Etsy store! I just added some #AvatarTheLastAirbender inspired ones, because I'm a nerd. Use code AVATAR to get 40% off. www.etsy.com/shop/Editors...
Scrivener theme titled "Water," featuring blue colours and a drawing of Katara from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Scrivener theme titled "Fire," featuring red colours and a drawing of Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Scrivener theme titled "Air," featuring pale blue colours and a drawing of Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender. Scrivener theme titled "Earth," featuring green colours and a drawing of Toph from Avatar: The Last Airbender.
November 12, 2025 at 2:07 AM
aealexander.bsky.social
4 video games played this year that I loved:

1. Silksong
2. Split Fiction
3. Palworld
4. Neva

#VideoGames #Silksong #SplitFiction #Palworld #Neva
Cover for Hollow Knight: Silksong. A white bug in a red cloak wielding a sword. Cover for Split Fiction. Two women, one in a sci-fi environment and one in a fantasy environment. Cover for Palworld. Several creatures and a human on grass in front of a blue sky. Cover for Neva. A red-cloaked woman wielding a sword standing in front of a large white wolf with antlers in a field of flowers.
November 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Publishing has a few confusing terms. I've got you covered. www.aealexander.com/blog/a-gloss... #Writing #Publishing
A Glossary for Querying Writers — Allison Alexander
What do terms like "blurb," "commercial fiction," "MSWL," "high concept," and "upmarket" mean? This article's got you covered.
www.aealexander.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
For all you Dimension 20 fans—we talked about Fantasy High this season! #Podcast #Worldbuilding #Dimension20 #FantasyHigh #Fantasy #TheWorldbuildersTavern
3.10 Comedic RPG: Fantasy High | The Worldbuilder’s Tavern
In this episode, we're talking about the worldbuilding in the Dungeons & Dragons RPG comedy Fantasy High: Freshman Year, which is a Dimension 20 show produced by Dropout TV. Proprietor's Pick:…
www.worldbuilderstavern.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Prepping to send out your query letter in the new year? I offer query critiques! www.aealexander.com/services #Querying #Writing #Editor
Services — Allison Alexander
Allison offers manuscript critiques, developmental editing, line editing, and query package critiques for writers of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror.
www.aealexander.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Allison Alexander
spsfc.bsky.social
The fifth #SPSFC is about to close for entries and we're looking for a few more judges:

spsfc.space/2025/11/07/l...

Come for the free books. Stay for the Discord community full of self-published authors and avid science fiction readers.
Photo of sand descending in an egg timer published by openDemocracy.
November 7, 2025 at 8:38 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
I love first lines that make me curious! #FirstLineFriday #MiddleGrade #Paranormal @maryaverling.bsky.social
"Mayflower Cottage isn't a welcoming place." —Mary Averling, The Ghosts of Bitterfly Bay #FirstLineFriday
November 8, 2025 at 2:24 AM
aealexander.bsky.social
I love the "ancient evil is returning" trope! Excuse me while I go re-read The Priory of the Orange Tree. mythcreants.com/blog/five-qu... #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi
Five Questions to Ask When Bringing Back an Ancient Evil
Everyone deserves a second chance, even old monsters.
mythcreants.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Reposted by Allison Alexander
reviseresub.bsky.social
Don't forget to send us your questions for our Editor Q&A Video Panel, which will take place at the end of #FiFRevPit. You can comment here, send a DM, or send us an email.

#RevPitFiF #writingcommunity
Don't forget to submit your questions for our Editor Q&A Video Panel. [Black cat on a stack of books next to pumpkins, a candle, and leaves. Hashtag FiFRevPit]
November 5, 2025 at 10:49 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Are tropes "bad"? Hells, no! They became tropes for a reason—people love 'em! It can be fun to reimagine them and twist them, but there's also nothing wrong with serving them straight up. #Writing #WritingTip
November 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
My partner and I are trying to guess who will die in #StrangerThings Season 5. My guesses: Joyce and Dustin. His guesses: Steve and Will. I don't want either of us to be right. 😭
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 AM
aealexander.bsky.social
Support human artists and writers!

(Sticker by one of my favourite artists, Karen Hallion. Get it here: www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1...) I am not affiliated; I just like her art.
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
The sci-fi comp-finder database has been updated with 2025 titles! #ScienceFiction #Querying #CompTitles www.aealexander.com/comp-finder-...
November 3, 2025 at 9:37 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
What makes a novel middle grade? YA? Adult? #Writing #AgeCategory #Publishing
The Difference Between Middle Grade, YA, and Adult Novels — Allison Alexander
A novel's age category helps the ideal reader find it.
www.aealexander.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Appreciated this podcast episode by @jenichappelle.bsky.social and @fromcarly.bsky.social. Conflict is key! #Writing #Conflict #Nimona
Nimona - Conflict | Story Chat Radio
Two book editors binge watch movies in search of storytelling gems - on this episode they discuss conflict as seen in the movie, Nimona
www.storychatradio.com
November 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
Do you write sci-fi or fantasy? @shellycampbell.bsky.social and I wrote a book full of tips for you! #Writing #Fantasy #SciFi #ScienceFiction www.aealexander.com/books
Cover for Making Myths and Magic: A Field Guide to Writing Sci-Fi and Fantasy Novels by Shelly Campbell and Allison Alexander.
November 1, 2025 at 7:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
31. What advice would you give to a new editor just starting out?

I have a whole blog post about this! www.editorsteaclub.org/blog-posts/b...

#EditorsTeaClub #EditorsTeaClubCommunity #Editing
List of questions for October by Editors Tea Club. #31 is "What advice would you give to a new editor?"
November 1, 2025 at 1:24 AM
aealexander.bsky.social
Jane Austen-inspired PLUS dragons? Sign me up. @stephanieburgis.bsky.social #FirstLineFriday #Fantasy #Regency #Dragons
"It was a truth universally acknowledged that any young lady without a dragon was doomed to social failure." —Stephanie Burgis, Scales and Sensibility #FirstLineFriday
October 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
What is line editing and does your novel need it?

While developmental editing is for big-picture stuff (plot, structure, character arcs, etc.) and copyediting is about grammar and consistency, line editing is about making sure the prose is effective at a sentence level.

1/4 #Editing #LineEditing
October 30, 2025 at 11:28 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
"Until you have a completed draft that’s as good as you’re able to make it (which may in fact wind up being your second or third or tenth draft), paying for a developmental edit may not be the best use of your money, time, or energy." Agreed! #Writing #Editing
When—and Whether—to Hire a Developmental Editor | Jane Friedman
A developmental editor is like any tool in your toolbox. Knowing whether and when to use one will help you get the most bang for your buck.
janefriedman.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
29. Share a moment when you felt truly supported by an editing community.

Shoutout to #EditorsTeaClub and #RevPit. Freelancing can be isolating, and I was delighted to discover these online spaces where I can meet other editors, ask questions, and feel at home.

#EditorsTeaClubCommunity #Editing
List of questions for October by Editors Tea Club. #29 is "Share a moment when you felt truly supported by an editing community."
October 30, 2025 at 12:37 AM
aealexander.bsky.social
'Tis the season to rewatch Stranger Things.
a man with glasses is drinking from a cup that says pepsi
Alt: A man with glasses is drinking a slurpee.
media.tenor.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:42 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
I often see querying writers asking why they are not getting any agent responses. This could be because: 1) your query letter needs work; 2) your pages need work; 3) your novel is too short/too long/doesn't fit the stated age category; 4) agents don't think it will sell for some other reason. 1/2
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
aealexander.bsky.social
The fantasy comp-finder database has been updated with 2025 titles! Use it to find comps for your query letter or just to find awesome new books to read in your favourite subgenres.

I'm updating the sci-fi one next.

www.aealexander.com/comp-finder-... #Querying #Writing #Reading #Fantasy
Comp-Finder Databases — Allison Alexander
Looking for comparative titles for your query letter? Access these databases of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror novels published in the last five years.
www.aealexander.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:02 PM