Alex M-S

Alex M-S – Editor

Children's book editor with experience in editing and content creation, passionate about championing people's stories—and writing her own.

Overview

I'm a passionate book editor with nearly a decade of experience working in both children's and adult publishing. I've worked on titles ranging from board books to young adult novels. I've also worked on licensed titles with brands and organizations like the Smithsonian, the Jane Goodall Institute, PBS Kids, John Deere, and more. I care deeply about championing people's stories—and writing my own.


I have gained extensive knowledge of how the publishing world works and have developed and sustained relationships with industry professionals across the board from fellow editors, art directors, marketing professionals, freelancers, agents, etc., whom have all helped improve my knowledge of our industry.


I have an undergraduate degree in English with a concentration in creative writing and a master's degree in writing and publishing. I have worked as a production editor as well as a traditional editor. Both roles have taught me the ins and outs of book production and manuscript development.


While my experience is in editing, my first love will always be writing. I understand the trials and tribulations that can come from trying to get words on to the page, to get your story out in the world. I'm no stranger to writer's block and the insecurities that can come from being vulnerable enough to share things through writing. It's this empathy for being an artist that I believe makes me a good editor because I understand the writing process from the inside.


I would be honored to help a future client in anyway I can. My professional experience lies within children's books, but my interest and heart extend to many adult genres as well. I'm currently seeking adult romance novels to edit and help develop.


I'm available for manuscript critique, development, and/or editing, as well as proofreading, query writing help or critique, editing and/or proofreading of non-manuscript materials (academic papers, articles, shorter works of fiction, résumés, etc.,), and ghost writing. If you have a project you feel doesn't fall under one of these categories, please reach out and ask about it. I would love to talk to you about your next creative endeavor and wish you much luck getting it out in the world.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Sex & Relationships
Fiction
Holiday LGBTQ Fiction Middle Grade Picture Books Romance Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • Basic Manuscript Editing from University of Chicago
  • Project Management course from University of Chicago

Work experience

Independent Publisher

Oct, 2018 — Present

Albert Whitman & Company

Jul, 2015 — Sep, 2018 (about 3 years)

Albert Whitman & Company

Oct, 2014 — Jul, 2015 (9 months)

Portfolio

The world is full of wonderful words to learn so let's get started with prehistoric animals! Learn 100 prehistoric words the Smithsonian way! Curious kids and their curious grown-ups will love to explore these pages full of Smithsonian treasures. This amazing ... read more
Touch, read, and discover all about the incredible T.rex with your toddler and Smithsonian Kids! Featuring special embossing to highlight fun facts about these "kings of the dinosaurs," this book engages both verbal and tactile learning skills. Embossed textur... read more
Does your little one love trains? Then come touch, read, and discover all about trains and their history with your toddler and Smithsonian Kids! Embossed textures and bright, detailed photographs from Smithsonian are sure to engage, entertain, and educate your... read more
Want to learn all about Butterflies? Then come touch, read, and discover all about butterflies and moths with your toddler and Smithsonian Kids! Embossed textures and bright, detailed photographs from Smithsonian are sure to engage, entertain, and educate your... read more
I love you more! Sentiments of unconditional love are important in storytime. Snuggle up and remind each other how much you care. Sweet animal characters are used in place of people, to be any race, gender, or age. Collect all the books in the Love You Always ... read more
Let's create some silly animal stories together! Spin the wheel to create a new, fun story every time you pick up this book. Read along together as every page has a new story, and spin to fill in the blanks. Who helped bake cupcakes at the bakery? Who does the... read more
Let's Go!

Cottage Door Press

Let's spend a day learning about things that go! Listen to the sounds with each of the four buttons as you read the story, and lift the flaps to reveal special surprises. Curious toddlers can help find all of our busy friends on the move, and the pages and fla... read more
Explore the enchantingly bubbly underwater world of mermaid, Sirena “Splash” Splashytail! Young readers will be whisked away on an aquatic adventure through the vibrant kingdom accompanied by Splash and her lovable sea pals; Coral the narwhal and Squirt the je... read more
Dress up together with Colorforms that "stick like magic"! Explore different dress-up scenes together and use the Colorforms to create new, exciting stories together. Stick the pieces again and again for endless mix-and-match fun!Use more than 50 Colorforms fo... read more
The Night Before Christmas

Cottage Door Press

"Twas the night before Christmas..." Join us in this beautifully illustrated telling of the classic Christmas story. This large storybook features thicker pages to allow for reading over and over again without traditional wear and tear, making it a holiday kee... read more
A Little Fox

Rosalee Wren

A Little Fox follows a day in the life of...a little fox! Little ones will learn all about the baby fox. What do they do when they are born? How and what do they eat? When they start to grow they learn more than twenty call sounds to their friends! When the su... read more
Let's explore in the forest with Lamaze! Play with sensory features in this sturdy board book for your curious baby and toddler. Touch, feel, trace, and talk about the creatures of the forest. Smell the raccoon's spruce tree, touch the owl's feathers, feel the... read more
Preschoolers will learn fun facts in this Smithsonian Kids book about some of the animals in our zoo. This interactive board book is sturdy enough for the most enthusiastic little explorer, with interactive features such as sliding tabs, spinner wheels, and li... read more
Bedtime Stories is a beautifully illustrated collection of thirty classic tales you and your children will treasure.
A Treasury to Read with Mommy is a beautifully illustrated treasury with over 80 stories to share. From traditional favorites like Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Jack and the Beanstalk to new tales, this treasury is perfect for reading together or for chil... read more
A Treasury to Read with Grandma is a beautifully illustrated treasury with over 80 stories to share. From traditional favorites like The Three Billy Goats Gruff and the Ugly Duckling to new tales, this treasury is perfect for reading together or for children t... read more
Glow

Megan E. Bryant

Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2017 SelectionLydia is thrilled to join the working girls in the factory, where they paint luminous watch dials for the soldiers fighting in World War I. In the future, these girls will be known as the tragic Radium Girls: factory ... read more
There’s a new cop on the scene with a nose for justice, and his name is Detective Paw of the Law! He's an old dog, which is why he leaves all the new tricks up to his partner, Patrol Officer Prickles, a young officer with all the latest police gadgets! In The ... read more
Queen Charlotte brought her family's festive holiday yule bough from Germany to England. While planning a Christmas Day party in 1800 at Windsor Castle for over 100 children, she realized a single bough isn't enough. So she brought in the whole tree instead, m... read more
A little-known but fascinating and larger-than-life character, Mary Fields is one of the unsung, trailblazing African American women who helped settle the American West. A former slave, Fields became the first African American woman stagecoach driver in 1895, ... read more
In World War II, Great Britain needed lumber to make planes, ships, and even newspapers—but there weren’t enough men to cut down the trees. Enter the fearless Lumber Jills! These young women may not have had much woodcutting experience, but they each had two h... read more
Kiely's been famous her entire life, but when a baby sister appears on the scene, she feels like a has-been. Now Kiely has to figure out how to gain back the attention of her adoring fans (her family), even if it means sharing the spotlight.
Ignite the Stars

Maura Milan

Everyone in the universe knows his name. Everyone in the universe fears him. But no one realizes that notorious outlaw Ia Cōcha is a seventeen-year-old girl. A criminal mastermind and unrivaled pilot, Ia has spent her life terrorizing the Olympus Commonwealth,... read more
Siblings Ilse and Wolf hide a deep secret in their blood: with it, they can work magic. And the government just found out.Blackmailed into service during World War II, Ilse lends her magic to America's newest weapon, the atom bomb, while Wolf goes behind enemy... read more

Alex has 27 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Shannon M.

Shannon M.

Apr, 2024

Alex has been a huge help through this process, answering all of my questions and providing valuable feedback and guidance. After my second round of edits, I feel like she’s gotten me to a place where I can move forward with next steps. Her suggestions are creative and thoughtful and funny!! I have enjoyed chatting with her. And hope we will get to work together on more books in the future.
Darlyse T.

Darlyse T.

Feb, 2024

Alex....10/10! You will truly get your money's worth with Alex. My childrens' book was fairly short with sensitive content but Alex gave such great feedback, I ended up applying about 80% of it. She was so supportive, encouraging, and honest in her communication. Bear in mind I am not a professional writer so I needed help as a newbie. Thank you Alex. I made the right choice working with you.
Alex M.
Oh, Darlyse, this made my whole week! Thank you so, so much for your kind words. I'm thrilled my feedback and notes were helpful to you. Wishing you all the best.
Mike M.

Mike M.

Sep, 2022

Thanks again Alex for your professional work I’ve completed and I’m selling my first book Alfred the cocky rooster and now I am working on the second one with your help. I appreciate your honesty and boldness to give opinions and direction that can be very helpful even though I don’t agree with everything. Your critiques provoke thought and are very helpful in challenging my thinking and persp...
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AJ P.

AJ P.

Aug, 2022

Awesome job. Very encouraging and honest. thank you for all your help
Jonah Keith Y.

Jonah Keith Y.

Apr, 2022

I selected Alex to help me with a children's book project. She provided me with an editorial assessment and a copyedited version of my manuscript. Both contained a wealth of great information, insight, and edits. I utilized many of her thoughts and edits and applied them to my story. The value was very good and her pricing was also good and fair. I would absolutely hire Alex again for the same ...
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