Alyssa Matesic
@alyssamatesic.bsky.social
your book editor friend 💪📚
formerly at Penguin Random House and The Book Group
🎥 weekly tips on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@AlyssaMatesic
💌 insider publishing tips: https://www.chapter-break.com
✏️work with me: https://www.alyssamatesic.com
formerly at Penguin Random House and The Book Group
🎥 weekly tips on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/@AlyssaMatesic
💌 insider publishing tips: https://www.chapter-break.com
✏️work with me: https://www.alyssamatesic.com
If there's anything that'll make me DNF a book fast...it's bad dialogue.
Are you making any of these common mistakes?
❌ talking heads
❌ name dropping
❌ "As you know, Bob"
❌ melodrama
❌ too many tags
❌ filler
❌ messy formatting
Are you making any of these common mistakes?
❌ talking heads
❌ name dropping
❌ "As you know, Bob"
❌ melodrama
❌ too many tags
❌ filler
❌ messy formatting
December 19, 2025 at 4:35 PM
If there's anything that'll make me DNF a book fast...it's bad dialogue.
Are you making any of these common mistakes?
❌ talking heads
❌ name dropping
❌ "As you know, Bob"
❌ melodrama
❌ too many tags
❌ filler
❌ messy formatting
Are you making any of these common mistakes?
❌ talking heads
❌ name dropping
❌ "As you know, Bob"
❌ melodrama
❌ too many tags
❌ filler
❌ messy formatting
Let's talk about a little-discussed but common part of the publishing process: the post-publication blues.
December 18, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Let's talk about a little-discussed but common part of the publishing process: the post-publication blues.
Identifying your novel's genre is easier said than done.
For some authors, the genre is crystal clear, but for others, it's not straightforward, especially if the story blurs or blends genres.
Here's my go-to framework for determining genre. 👇
For some authors, the genre is crystal clear, but for others, it's not straightforward, especially if the story blurs or blends genres.
Here's my go-to framework for determining genre. 👇
December 15, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Identifying your novel's genre is easier said than done.
For some authors, the genre is crystal clear, but for others, it's not straightforward, especially if the story blurs or blends genres.
Here's my go-to framework for determining genre. 👇
For some authors, the genre is crystal clear, but for others, it's not straightforward, especially if the story blurs or blends genres.
Here's my go-to framework for determining genre. 👇
Let's rip the Band-Aid off now...your story will not be everyone's cup of tea.☕
And that's ok!
If you pursue traditional publishing, you'll get rejected by literary agents and publishers. And even once you publish, you'll get bad reviews.
And that's ok!
If you pursue traditional publishing, you'll get rejected by literary agents and publishers. And even once you publish, you'll get bad reviews.
December 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Let's rip the Band-Aid off now...your story will not be everyone's cup of tea.☕
And that's ok!
If you pursue traditional publishing, you'll get rejected by literary agents and publishers. And even once you publish, you'll get bad reviews.
And that's ok!
If you pursue traditional publishing, you'll get rejected by literary agents and publishers. And even once you publish, you'll get bad reviews.
Most novels throughout history have been written in third person. So why do new writers frequently struggle with it?
First, make sure you understand the difference between omniscient narration and close third person. It's so often misunderstood!
First, make sure you understand the difference between omniscient narration and close third person. It's so often misunderstood!
December 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Most novels throughout history have been written in third person. So why do new writers frequently struggle with it?
First, make sure you understand the difference between omniscient narration and close third person. It's so often misunderstood!
First, make sure you understand the difference between omniscient narration and close third person. It's so often misunderstood!
What do you NEED to be a writer? 🤨
Let the truth set you free: there are NO specific qualifications you have to meet.
You can be any age. You can come from any background. You can have a college degree—or not.
Becoming a writer requires just one simple thing: writing over and over again.
Let the truth set you free: there are NO specific qualifications you have to meet.
You can be any age. You can come from any background. You can have a college degree—or not.
Becoming a writer requires just one simple thing: writing over and over again.
December 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
What do you NEED to be a writer? 🤨
Let the truth set you free: there are NO specific qualifications you have to meet.
You can be any age. You can come from any background. You can have a college degree—or not.
Becoming a writer requires just one simple thing: writing over and over again.
Let the truth set you free: there are NO specific qualifications you have to meet.
You can be any age. You can come from any background. You can have a college degree—or not.
Becoming a writer requires just one simple thing: writing over and over again.
It turns out that we've been telling the same seven stories for thousands of years!
In The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker identified 7 foundational story structures that appear again and again.
Let’s figure out which plot your story fits into. Or perhaps you're blending several of them. ✍️
In The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker identified 7 foundational story structures that appear again and again.
Let’s figure out which plot your story fits into. Or perhaps you're blending several of them. ✍️
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
It turns out that we've been telling the same seven stories for thousands of years!
In The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker identified 7 foundational story structures that appear again and again.
Let’s figure out which plot your story fits into. Or perhaps you're blending several of them. ✍️
In The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker identified 7 foundational story structures that appear again and again.
Let’s figure out which plot your story fits into. Or perhaps you're blending several of them. ✍️
What's the most important part of your entire manuscript? Page 1.
It should give the reader (or agent) NO CHOICE but to turn to the next page...then the next.
Here are the 4 critical things your first page needs, along with a live critique of 3 first pages submitted by you!
youtu.be/2EIAGI48hVg
It should give the reader (or agent) NO CHOICE but to turn to the next page...then the next.
Here are the 4 critical things your first page needs, along with a live critique of 3 first pages submitted by you!
youtu.be/2EIAGI48hVg
Does Your Novel Pass My First Page Test?
The opening page of your manuscript can make or break the whole book. In my career as a developmental editor, I’ve edited hundreds of manuscripts and have de...
www.youtube.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:31 PM
What's the most important part of your entire manuscript? Page 1.
It should give the reader (or agent) NO CHOICE but to turn to the next page...then the next.
Here are the 4 critical things your first page needs, along with a live critique of 3 first pages submitted by you!
youtu.be/2EIAGI48hVg
It should give the reader (or agent) NO CHOICE but to turn to the next page...then the next.
Here are the 4 critical things your first page needs, along with a live critique of 3 first pages submitted by you!
youtu.be/2EIAGI48hVg
As a writer on the Internet, you'll be bombarded by an endless stream of writing advice (yes, including from me).
But there's really only ONE way to learn how to write: by writing.
Sitting your butt in the chair and putting the words down.
But there's really only ONE way to learn how to write: by writing.
Sitting your butt in the chair and putting the words down.
December 5, 2025 at 4:59 PM
As a writer on the Internet, you'll be bombarded by an endless stream of writing advice (yes, including from me).
But there's really only ONE way to learn how to write: by writing.
Sitting your butt in the chair and putting the words down.
But there's really only ONE way to learn how to write: by writing.
Sitting your butt in the chair and putting the words down.
If you're trying to perfect your draft as you write it...stop. The first draft isn't meant to be perfect; it's meant to be on the page.
From USA Today bestselling author Emma Hamm: “Don’t stop to edit or reflect on your work in the middle of the process. It slows everything down...
From USA Today bestselling author Emma Hamm: “Don’t stop to edit or reflect on your work in the middle of the process. It slows everything down...
December 4, 2025 at 5:01 PM
If you're trying to perfect your draft as you write it...stop. The first draft isn't meant to be perfect; it's meant to be on the page.
From USA Today bestselling author Emma Hamm: “Don’t stop to edit or reflect on your work in the middle of the process. It slows everything down...
From USA Today bestselling author Emma Hamm: “Don’t stop to edit or reflect on your work in the middle of the process. It slows everything down...
Conflict is your story's fuel. Without enough conflict, your story will lack tension, stakes, and momentum.
Here are the 3 keys to writing strong conflict:
💥 Include external AND internal
💥 Make it believable
💥 Don't resolve it too soon
Here are the 3 keys to writing strong conflict:
💥 Include external AND internal
💥 Make it believable
💥 Don't resolve it too soon
December 3, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Conflict is your story's fuel. Without enough conflict, your story will lack tension, stakes, and momentum.
Here are the 3 keys to writing strong conflict:
💥 Include external AND internal
💥 Make it believable
💥 Don't resolve it too soon
Here are the 3 keys to writing strong conflict:
💥 Include external AND internal
💥 Make it believable
💥 Don't resolve it too soon
What's the key to crafting characters that feel real, layered, and authentic?
Giving them rich backstories.
But backstory is like salt: you don't want too much or too little! 🧂
Here are five strategies to write strong backstory that deepens your novel:
Giving them rich backstories.
But backstory is like salt: you don't want too much or too little! 🧂
Here are five strategies to write strong backstory that deepens your novel:
December 2, 2025 at 5:03 PM
What's the key to crafting characters that feel real, layered, and authentic?
Giving them rich backstories.
But backstory is like salt: you don't want too much or too little! 🧂
Here are five strategies to write strong backstory that deepens your novel:
Giving them rich backstories.
But backstory is like salt: you don't want too much or too little! 🧂
Here are five strategies to write strong backstory that deepens your novel:
Over the last few weeks, I've received dozens of messages about scammers impersonating me. I dug deeper and discovered that there's a wave of AI email scams impersonating not just me, but other YouTubers and even famous authors.
Here's everything you need to know! 🚨
youtu.be/TXWS5Tf42-Y
Here's everything you need to know! 🚨
youtu.be/TXWS5Tf42-Y
Scammers Are Pretending to Be Me — And People Are Falling for It
Over the last few weeks, I've received dozens of messages from subscribers that were contacted by scammers impersonating me. These people use realistic-looki...
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Over the last few weeks, I've received dozens of messages about scammers impersonating me. I dug deeper and discovered that there's a wave of AI email scams impersonating not just me, but other YouTubers and even famous authors.
Here's everything you need to know! 🚨
youtu.be/TXWS5Tf42-Y
Here's everything you need to know! 🚨
youtu.be/TXWS5Tf42-Y
Feeling so thankful to be doing what I love every single day. This year, there's so much to celebrate:
⭐ An incredible growing community of writers across my YouTube channel and newsletter
⭐ Co-authoring my first book
⭐ Celebrating client successes
⭐ An incredible growing community of writers across my YouTube channel and newsletter
⭐ Co-authoring my first book
⭐ Celebrating client successes
November 28, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Feeling so thankful to be doing what I love every single day. This year, there's so much to celebrate:
⭐ An incredible growing community of writers across my YouTube channel and newsletter
⭐ Co-authoring my first book
⭐ Celebrating client successes
⭐ An incredible growing community of writers across my YouTube channel and newsletter
⭐ Co-authoring my first book
⭐ Celebrating client successes
So excited to share that I'll be offering 1:1 consultations at the San Miguel Writers' Conference this February!
Come tell me about your book and learn from all the incredible presenters (seriously, the lineup is insane) in a beautiful setting. I can't wait!
Sign up here: tinyurl.com/smwconference
Come tell me about your book and learn from all the incredible presenters (seriously, the lineup is insane) in a beautiful setting. I can't wait!
Sign up here: tinyurl.com/smwconference
November 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM
So excited to share that I'll be offering 1:1 consultations at the San Miguel Writers' Conference this February!
Come tell me about your book and learn from all the incredible presenters (seriously, the lineup is insane) in a beautiful setting. I can't wait!
Sign up here: tinyurl.com/smwconference
Come tell me about your book and learn from all the incredible presenters (seriously, the lineup is insane) in a beautiful setting. I can't wait!
Sign up here: tinyurl.com/smwconference
What's something that every one of your favorite books has in common?
They all started as messy, imperfect, likely chaotic first drafts.
So if you're staring at your manuscript, fretting that it isn't where you want it to be yet: don't worry. You aren't doing anything wrong.
They all started as messy, imperfect, likely chaotic first drafts.
So if you're staring at your manuscript, fretting that it isn't where you want it to be yet: don't worry. You aren't doing anything wrong.
November 24, 2025 at 10:40 PM
What's something that every one of your favorite books has in common?
They all started as messy, imperfect, likely chaotic first drafts.
So if you're staring at your manuscript, fretting that it isn't where you want it to be yet: don't worry. You aren't doing anything wrong.
They all started as messy, imperfect, likely chaotic first drafts.
So if you're staring at your manuscript, fretting that it isn't where you want it to be yet: don't worry. You aren't doing anything wrong.
Your first pages can make or break your book, so check yours against these common errors I see all the time in manuscripts I'm editing:
November 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Your first pages can make or break your book, so check yours against these common errors I see all the time in manuscripts I'm editing:
Writing is so more than just putting words on the page. It's also:
- Exploring other books and media
- Taking a restorative break to clear your head
- Eliminating the pressures on yourself
- Exploring other books and media
- Taking a restorative break to clear your head
- Eliminating the pressures on yourself
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Writing is so more than just putting words on the page. It's also:
- Exploring other books and media
- Taking a restorative break to clear your head
- Eliminating the pressures on yourself
- Exploring other books and media
- Taking a restorative break to clear your head
- Eliminating the pressures on yourself
Can you believe we're less than two months away from the end of 2025? Where has the time gone?
This leaves a short few weeks to complete your novel this year. Here's how to get over the finish line:
This leaves a short few weeks to complete your novel this year. Here's how to get over the finish line:
November 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Can you believe we're less than two months away from the end of 2025? Where has the time gone?
This leaves a short few weeks to complete your novel this year. Here's how to get over the finish line:
This leaves a short few weeks to complete your novel this year. Here's how to get over the finish line:
Most stories boil down to the same 7 plots (or a combination of them) that humans have been using for centuries.
So which plot does your story follow...
Comedy 🤣
Rebirth 🐣
Quest? 💼
To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best!
youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA
So which plot does your story follow...
Comedy 🤣
Rebirth 🐣
Quest? 💼
To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best!
youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA
The 7 Most Common Plots Ranked From Worst to Best
The first 500 people to use my link in the description or scan the QR code will receive a one month free trial of Skillshare, plus 20% off your first year! G...
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Most stories boil down to the same 7 plots (or a combination of them) that humans have been using for centuries.
So which plot does your story follow...
Comedy 🤣
Rebirth 🐣
Quest? 💼
To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best!
youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA
So which plot does your story follow...
Comedy 🤣
Rebirth 🐣
Quest? 💼
To find out, watch today's video where I rank the 7 basic plots from worst to best!
youtu.be/Kww_Gj_QleA
Conflict is the fuel to your story's plot engine. Without enough conflict, the story will slow to a stop. 🛑
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Conflict is the fuel to your story's plot engine. Without enough conflict, the story will slow to a stop. 🛑
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
After working with books and authors for more than a decade, I've learned a LOT about what it takes to write an effective story and get published.
Here are my top 10 tips for authors just starting out. (The stuff that often takes years to learn!)
youtu.be/Tu3J4QkbZ7I
Here are my top 10 tips for authors just starting out. (The stuff that often takes years to learn!)
youtu.be/Tu3J4QkbZ7I
My Top 10 Tips for Aspiring Authors
Are you an aspiring author hoping to be published one day? As a book editor formerly at Penguin Random House who has helped hundreds of authors strengthen th...
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:43 PM
After working with books and authors for more than a decade, I've learned a LOT about what it takes to write an effective story and get published.
Here are my top 10 tips for authors just starting out. (The stuff that often takes years to learn!)
youtu.be/Tu3J4QkbZ7I
Here are my top 10 tips for authors just starting out. (The stuff that often takes years to learn!)
youtu.be/Tu3J4QkbZ7I
It's easy to look at bestselling authors and think that writing always comes easily to them. They sit down to write and the words flow effortlessly.
But I can promise you that no writer has it all figured out.
But I can promise you that no writer has it all figured out.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
It's easy to look at bestselling authors and think that writing always comes easily to them. They sit down to write and the words flow effortlessly.
But I can promise you that no writer has it all figured out.
But I can promise you that no writer has it all figured out.
Let's debunk these writing misconceptions:
❌ Writing only happens at the keyboard
❌ You have to write every day
❌ "Thinking" about your story doesn't count
They simply aren't true. Take a look at how three published authors stay connected to their stories, even when they’re not actively drafting.
❌ Writing only happens at the keyboard
❌ You have to write every day
❌ "Thinking" about your story doesn't count
They simply aren't true. Take a look at how three published authors stay connected to their stories, even when they’re not actively drafting.
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Let's debunk these writing misconceptions:
❌ Writing only happens at the keyboard
❌ You have to write every day
❌ "Thinking" about your story doesn't count
They simply aren't true. Take a look at how three published authors stay connected to their stories, even when they’re not actively drafting.
❌ Writing only happens at the keyboard
❌ You have to write every day
❌ "Thinking" about your story doesn't count
They simply aren't true. Take a look at how three published authors stay connected to their stories, even when they’re not actively drafting.
If writing a book was easy, it wouldn't be special. 💖
Regardless of where you're at in your journey, you're part of a small group of people who did not take the easy way out.
Regardless of where you're at in your journey, you're part of a small group of people who did not take the easy way out.
November 7, 2025 at 5:09 PM
If writing a book was easy, it wouldn't be special. 💖
Regardless of where you're at in your journey, you're part of a small group of people who did not take the easy way out.
Regardless of where you're at in your journey, you're part of a small group of people who did not take the easy way out.