Alexandra Ott

Alexandra Ott – Editor

YA and MG specialist. Author of 4 published books (Simon and Schuster) and 3 forthcoming (Norton). Former editorial assistant at Entangled.

Overview

As both an author and editor, I'm able to bring unique perspectives from both sides of the desk to my work. I am a former editorial assistant at Entangled Publishing, where I worked with YA fiction and adult romance titles. I am also the author of the forthcoming middle grade trilogy Codebreakers, published by Norton Young Readers, and the author of middle grade fantasy novels Seekers of the Wild Realm, Legend of the Realm, Rules for Thieves, and The Shadow Thieves, all published by Simon and Schuster. Additionally, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Tulsa. I am also a former Pitch Wars mentor and a former editorial intern at Nimrod International Journal. As a freelance editor, I use my 10+ years of editorial experience to help writers prepare their manuscripts for submission or publication.



Testimonials:


“Alex’s feedback is always on point, whether she’s focusing on how to raise the stakes in a scene or deepen character development throughout the entire manuscript. I wouldn’t trust anyone more with my work!”

-- Rachel Done, YA writer


“Alex’s feedback has consistently helped me make my stories better. She not only highlights areas for improvement but also areas of strength, which helps keep the editing process positive.”

-- Allison Pauli, fantasy writer

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Dystopian Fantasy Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy Romance Young Adult
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Oklahoma Book Award finalist (2018)
  • Oklahoma Book Award finalist (2021)
  • Sequoyah Book Award Children's Masterlist selection (Seekers of the Wild Realm, 2022)
  • Oklahoma Book Award finalist (2022)
Certifications
  • B.A. in English from the University of Tulsa

Work experience

Entangled Publishing

Jul, 2017 — Aug, 2018 (about 1 year)
• Assisted with developmental edits, line edits, and proofreads • Provided editorial feedback on acquisitions • Helped prepare manuscripts for publication • Received editorial training • Evaluated manuscript submissions and wrote reader reports • Assisted in other editorial tasks as needed

Simon and Schuster, Norton

Jun, 2017 — Present
Author of middle grade fantasy novels Rules for Thieves, The Shadow Thieves, Seekers of the Wild Realm, and Legend of the Realm, all published by Aladdin/Simon and Schuster. Rules for Thieves received positive reviews from Kirkus, SLJ, BCCB, and Shelf Awareness and was a finalist for the 2018 Oklahoma Book Award. Seekers of the Wild Realm, the first book in my latest fantasy series, was a 2021 Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a 2022 Sequoyah Book Award Children's Masterlist Selection, an Amazon Editors' Pick for Best Books Ages 9-12, and received positive reviews from Publishers Weekly, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Kirkus, among others. My forthcoming book The Wish Ring Cipher will be published by Norton Young Readers in 2026, with two more books in the Codebreakers trilogy to follow.

Entangled Publishing

Jan, 2015 — Jul, 2017 (over 2 years)
• Evaluated manuscript submissions and wrote 100+ reader reports • Line edited, copyedited, and proofread manuscripts • Helped prepare manuscripts for publication • Received editorial training • Assisted in other editorial tasks as needed

Self-employed

Jan, 2012 — Present
Freelance editing work for fiction manuscripts of various genres, including children's and YA, romance, women's fiction, fantasy, and science fiction. Editorial services have included developmental, line edits, copyedits, proofreading, and more.

Nimrod International Journal

Jan, 2012 — Dec, 2012 (11 months)
● Assisted in editorial tasks, including reading submissions and proofreading fiction published in a literary journal ● Helped to organize annual writers’ conference ● Assisted in day-to-day organizational, administrative, and editorial tasks

Portfolio

Legend of the Realm (2) (Seekers of the Wild Realm)

Ott, Alexandra

The Shadow Thieves (Rules for Thieves)

Alexandra Ott

Alli must risk everything to save her new family from a rogue organization that is threatening the Thieves Guild’s existence—and the lives of all its members—in this high-stakes sequel to Rules for Thieves.Alli Rosco, former orphan and thief, is free after her... read more
Seekers of the Wild Realm

Alexandra Ott

Fablehaven meets How to Train Your Dragon in this action-packed fantasy about a young boy and girl who become reluctant allies when caring for a baby dragon—the first in brand-new duology!Twelve-year-old Bryn has always dreamed of becoming a Seeker, just like ... read more
Rules for Thieves

Alexandra Ott

After twelve-year-old orphan, Alli Rosco, is cursed with a deadly spell, she must join the legendary Thieves Guild in order to try and save herself in this high-stakes debut.Twelve-year-old Alli Rosco is smart, resourceful, and totally incapable of keeping her... read more
Return to Zentobia (Journey to Zentobia Book 2)

D'Alessandro, Stacy

Scaredy Bat and the Frozen Vampires (Scaredy Bat: A Vampire Detective Series)

Bowman, Marina J

To My Muse, With Love: A Novel

Crofton, Alicia

Coffee, My Love: A Novel

Crofton, Alicia

A Death at Eastwick (The Eastwick Mansion Mysteries Book 1)

Warman, L.C.

The Quad Squad

Don Freeborn

Chase, Michael, Zack, and Brady have been best friends since they could walk. For The Quad Squad, as they call themselves, fifth grade seems full of promise—including the chance to win their first baseball championship together. But this year also brings new c... read more
The Last Real Girl: A Mystery (The Disappearance of Charlotte Walters Book 1)

L.C. Warman

A beautiful girl who vanishes. A best friend determined to find her. A lakeside town with secrets of its own.***Praise for THE LAST REAL GIRL:"Warman's taut prose is pitched perfectly for her subject matter, managing to make the high school drama feel high-sta... read more
Anya and the Dragon

Sofiya Pasternack

This lush tale of magic and dragons is a gem for any adventure-seeking middle grader and perfect for fans of Aru Shah and the End of Time.Anya and the Dragon is the story of fantasy and mayhem in tenth century Eastern Europe, where headstrong eleven-year-old A... read more
War of Storms (The Ryogan Chronicles Book 3)

Erica Cameron

The immortal mages have risen, and they're out for blood.Khya arrived at the Ryogan coast too late to stop the invasion. Now, cities are falling before the unrelenting march of an enemy army, and Khya's squad is desperately trying to stay ahead of them. Warnin... read more
No Kissing Allowed

Melissa West

A new adult romance from Entangled's Embrace imprint...No kissing. No touching. And definitely no falling in love...Armed with her besties, an embarrassing number of shots, and her list of 10 Wild Things To Do Before Adulthood, recent grad Cameron Lawson is pa... read more
Seducing Seven (What Happens in Vegas)

MK Meredith

He bet on logic. She bet on love. Romance author Seven Michaels believes in love to her very core. She has to—not only for herself, but for her readers. So when luxury salesman Blake Turner insults not only her books but the people who read them, Seven’s ready... read more
Recipe for Temptation (Madewood Brothers)

Gina Gordon

A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...She's the woman he loves to hate.Penn Foster wants a lot of things. She wants a spot on the board of a charitable foundation. She wants to win the stupid, plastic family trophy. And more than anything, ... read more
Malibu Betrayals (Malibu Sights) (Volume 1)

MK Meredith

Why I Loathe Sterling Lane

Ingrid Paulson

Per her 537 rules, Harper Campbell keeps her life tidy—academically and socially. But the moment Sterling Lane transfers into her tiny boarding school, her twin brother gets swept up in Sterling’s pranks and schemes and nearly gets expelled. Harper knows it’s ... read more
The Uncrossing

Melissa Eastlake

Luke can uncross almost any curse—they unravel themselves for him like no one else. So working for the Kovrovs, one of the families controlling all the magic in New York, is exciting and dangerous, especially when he encounters the first curse he can't break. ... read more
The Hungarian

Victoria Dougherty

While vacationing in Greece in 1956, Lily Tassos, the hard-partying daughter of a powerful arms dealer, has a sudden change in plans. After her sometime boyfriend —a CIA agent— is murdered before her eyes, she finds herself holding a ticket to Moscow and a mys... read more
The Sound of Us

Julie Hammerle

Kiki Nichols might not survive music camp.She’s put her TV-loving, nerdy self aside for one summer to prove she’s got what it takes: she can be cool enough to make friends, she can earn that music scholarship, and she can get into Krause University’s music pro... read more
Approximately Yours (North Pole Minnesota) (Volume 3)

Julie Hammerle

Danny Garland is so out of Holly’s league. And her family is only back in North Pole, Minnesota, long enough to sell Grandma’s house and say “Merry Christmas.” So telling her basketball-star, too-hot-to-be-real long-time crush that she’d like to kiss him under... read more
Artificial Sweethearts (North Pole, Minnesota)

Julie Hammerle

It’s not chemistry between Tinka Foster and Sam Anderson that made them agree to fake date. With her parents trying to set her up with an annoying pro-track golf student, and intentionally single Sam’s family pressuring him to bring a date to his brother’s wed... read more
Toxic

Lydia Kang

Hana isn't supposed to exist. She's grown up hidden by her mother in a secret room of the bioship Cyclo until the day her mother is simply gone―along with the entire crew. Cyclo tells her she was abandoned, but she's certain her mother wouldn't leave her there... read more
The November Girl

Lydia Kang

LOCUS Magazine: A Best Book of 2017! I am Anda, and the lake is my mother. I am the November storms that terrify sailors and sink ships. With their deaths, I keep my little island on Lake Superior alive.Hector has come here to hide from his family until he tur... read more
Sea of Strangers (The Ryogan Chronicles)

Erica Cameron

The only way for Khya to get her brother back alive is to kill Varan—the immortal ruler who can’t be killed. But not even Varan knew what he was doing when he perverted magic and humanity to become immortal.Khya’s leading her group of friends and rebels into t... read more
Island of Exiles (The Ryogan Chronicles)

Erica Cameron

“A rare gem of a book....[and a] fresh, original series starter.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewIn Khya’s world, every breath is a battle.On the isolated desert island of Shiara, dying young is inevitable. The clan comes before self, and protecting her home m... read more

Alexandra has 339 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Brian R.

Brian R.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Excellent insight from a true industry professional. Alexandra has been a great help, her insights spot on, and her advice genuine and well explained. Already using her service for the third time, the best recommendation I can give.
Jamie R.

Jamie R.

Apr, 2025

Pinned
Alexandra was a pleasure to work with as a copy editor. She's thoughtful, detail-oriented and taught me things I never knew about copy editing. I would recommend her services highly. She's also a lovely person.
Ani B.

Ani B.

Mar, 2025

Pinned
I've hired Alexandra twice for a query letter review and the first three chapters of my middle grade fantasy manuscript. She’s friendly, responsive and provides thorough feedback with helpful comments. While it’s tough to see your work critiqued, her suggestions spark new ideas, making me excited...
Read more
Rachel R.

Rachel R.

May, 2025

Working with Alexandra has been a great experience—she completed my developmental edit right on time and gave me excellent, in-depth feedback. Her professionalism was top-notch and her criticism was straight-forward without being abrasive. I would definitely work with her again!
Chance F.

Chance F.

May, 2025

Alexandra was very straight forward and professional. I really appreciate her attention to detail and care in my project, when it comes to follow on projects, she will be on my list of editors to take on!

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Alexandra and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Alexandra

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Charlotte Colwill

Charlotte C.

A former bookseller turned editor and literary agent, I specialise in childrens and commercial fiction. I love polishing raw literary gems!

London, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Catherine Coe

Catherine C.

Former Hachette editor of award-winning children’s and YA, with 20 years' experience. I want to help you get the very best from your MS.

Norwich, UK

100% reply rate

View profile
Vicky Holmes

Vicky H.

Creative and developmental children's fiction editor responsible for Erin Hunter, Daisy Meadows, Lauren Brooke and many more.

Bath, UK

100% reply rate

View profile