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 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
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
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:
From author Jessica Francis Kane: "When I embraced the idea that I could make a productive day out of walking, reading, going to a museum, seeing a play, etc., it took so much pressure off, and I actually started writing more."
November 20, 2025 at 5:00 PM
From author Jessica Francis Kane: "When I embraced the idea that I could make a productive day out of walking, reading, going to a museum, seeing a play, etc., it took so much pressure off, and I actually started writing more."
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.
So many now-published authors were in your exact shoes.
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
So many now-published authors were in your exact shoes.
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
I get SO many questions from authors about query letters, so I've put them all together in this guide!
It contains:
📝 the 7 elements your letter should include
📝 guidance on personalizing
📝 length guidelines
📝 tone & formatting
📝 common mistakes
Still have questions? Leave me a comment ⬇️
It contains:
📝 the 7 elements your letter should include
📝 guidance on personalizing
📝 length guidelines
📝 tone & formatting
📝 common mistakes
Still have questions? Leave me a comment ⬇️
November 5, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I get SO many questions from authors about query letters, so I've put them all together in this guide!
It contains:
📝 the 7 elements your letter should include
📝 guidance on personalizing
📝 length guidelines
📝 tone & formatting
📝 common mistakes
Still have questions? Leave me a comment ⬇️
It contains:
📝 the 7 elements your letter should include
📝 guidance on personalizing
📝 length guidelines
📝 tone & formatting
📝 common mistakes
Still have questions? Leave me a comment ⬇️
A strong scene has three key ingredients:
🏃 ACTION
🗣️ DIALOGUE
💬 NARRATIVE
Most writers naturally lean on one and may neglect the others, leading to scenes that feel imbalanced or emotionally weak.
So here's how to use each element effectively, plus examples demonstrating the common pitfalls!
🏃 ACTION
🗣️ DIALOGUE
💬 NARRATIVE
Most writers naturally lean on one and may neglect the others, leading to scenes that feel imbalanced or emotionally weak.
So here's how to use each element effectively, plus examples demonstrating the common pitfalls!
October 30, 2025 at 4:04 PM
A strong scene has three key ingredients:
🏃 ACTION
🗣️ DIALOGUE
💬 NARRATIVE
Most writers naturally lean on one and may neglect the others, leading to scenes that feel imbalanced or emotionally weak.
So here's how to use each element effectively, plus examples demonstrating the common pitfalls!
🏃 ACTION
🗣️ DIALOGUE
💬 NARRATIVE
Most writers naturally lean on one and may neglect the others, leading to scenes that feel imbalanced or emotionally weak.
So here's how to use each element effectively, plus examples demonstrating the common pitfalls!
The querying process is like dating:
-you get ghosted 😔
-you have to put yourself out there 👀
-it's worth waiting for the right match 💞
-you get ghosted 😔
-you have to put yourself out there 👀
-it's worth waiting for the right match 💞
October 23, 2025 at 4:02 PM
The querying process is like dating:
-you get ghosted 😔
-you have to put yourself out there 👀
-it's worth waiting for the right match 💞
-you get ghosted 😔
-you have to put yourself out there 👀
-it's worth waiting for the right match 💞
Writer's block happens to every author, so when it comes around, don't stress! 😰
Here are 20 strategies to help you get unstuck.
What’s your favorite trick for beating writer’s block?
Here are 20 strategies to help you get unstuck.
What’s your favorite trick for beating writer’s block?
October 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Writer's block happens to every author, so when it comes around, don't stress! 😰
Here are 20 strategies to help you get unstuck.
What’s your favorite trick for beating writer’s block?
Here are 20 strategies to help you get unstuck.
What’s your favorite trick for beating writer’s block?
So excited to see my upcoming book with QueryTracker's Patrick McDonald listed on Simon & Schuster's website, cover and all! It's getting real 🥹
THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS is coming to you summer 2026! 👀
THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS is coming to you summer 2026! 👀
October 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
So excited to see my upcoming book with QueryTracker's Patrick McDonald listed on Simon & Schuster's website, cover and all! It's getting real 🥹
THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS is coming to you summer 2026! 👀
THE MODERN GUIDE TO QUERYING LITERARY AGENTS is coming to you summer 2026! 👀
As a book editor, reading is my job, but it still somehow never feels like work.
If you're struggling to get through your TBR pile or find yourself reaching for the remote rather than a book, here are some tips to help you prioritize reading—without rearranging your routine. 📖
If you're struggling to get through your TBR pile or find yourself reaching for the remote rather than a book, here are some tips to help you prioritize reading—without rearranging your routine. 📖
October 15, 2025 at 4:02 PM
As a book editor, reading is my job, but it still somehow never feels like work.
If you're struggling to get through your TBR pile or find yourself reaching for the remote rather than a book, here are some tips to help you prioritize reading—without rearranging your routine. 📖
If you're struggling to get through your TBR pile or find yourself reaching for the remote rather than a book, here are some tips to help you prioritize reading—without rearranging your routine. 📖
For better or worse, there's so much more to being an author than just writing. And juggling it all can be hard.
October 9, 2025 at 3:56 PM
For better or worse, there's so much more to being an author than just writing. And juggling it all can be hard.
I've been a book editor for 10 years. 1,000+ authors and countless manuscripts later, the biggest lessons I’ve learned might surprise you.
Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing.
They might help you take your story to the next level!
Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing.
They might help you take your story to the next level!
October 8, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I've been a book editor for 10 years. 1,000+ authors and countless manuscripts later, the biggest lessons I’ve learned might surprise you.
Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing.
They might help you take your story to the next level!
Here are the 3 biggest takeaways from the past decade that totally changed the way I approach editing.
They might help you take your story to the next level!
Things writers hate more than anything:
-writer's block
-the synopsis
-comp titles 🤬
If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.
-writer's block
-the synopsis
-comp titles 🤬
If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.
September 30, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Things writers hate more than anything:
-writer's block
-the synopsis
-comp titles 🤬
If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.
-writer's block
-the synopsis
-comp titles 🤬
If you're struggling with the latter, fear no more — here's a quick guide with everything you need to know to find and choose the RIGHT comps.
"I write a lot of books in dual (or triple!) POV, and I was once struggling with how to know which character should have the perspective for a specific scene. A friend reminded me that the POV should always be from the character who has the most at stake, and it was like a lightbulb went off." 💡
September 25, 2025 at 4:03 PM
"I write a lot of books in dual (or triple!) POV, and I was once struggling with how to know which character should have the perspective for a specific scene. A friend reminded me that the POV should always be from the character who has the most at stake, and it was like a lightbulb went off." 💡
If you think there are only two options for publishing your book — traditional or self publishing — think again! Today, there are more paths to publication than ever before.
Here's a quick guide to help you find the best path for you and your book.
Here's a quick guide to help you find the best path for you and your book.
September 24, 2025 at 4:04 PM
If you think there are only two options for publishing your book — traditional or self publishing — think again! Today, there are more paths to publication than ever before.
Here's a quick guide to help you find the best path for you and your book.
Here's a quick guide to help you find the best path for you and your book.
Myth: You have to write every day / every week to reach your goals.
"There has been a lot of time in my life when I could not write daily or even weekly. Taking spring break on my own saved me. I would often book a hotel room or rent a space for those days and truly disappear into my work."
"There has been a lot of time in my life when I could not write daily or even weekly. Taking spring break on my own saved me. I would often book a hotel room or rent a space for those days and truly disappear into my work."
September 18, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Myth: You have to write every day / every week to reach your goals.
"There has been a lot of time in my life when I could not write daily or even weekly. Taking spring break on my own saved me. I would often book a hotel room or rent a space for those days and truly disappear into my work."
"There has been a lot of time in my life when I could not write daily or even weekly. Taking spring break on my own saved me. I would often book a hotel room or rent a space for those days and truly disappear into my work."