Alison Duncan - Editor
Meticulous and dedicated development and copy editor of educational content, photography, and self-published teen/women's fiction.
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Overview
I'm an experienced and detail-oriented editor with over a decade of book publishing experience who loves helping writers to tell their stories and connecting readers to high-quality, engaging content.
I edit both fiction and non-fiction. I have worked as an in-house editor covering a variety of topics within trade non-fiction and education, including photography, political science, and developmental mathematics. I also have experience working on a variety of format types, from traditional printed books to interactive online learning experiences. On the fiction side, I primarily edit books for self-publishing writers who write women's fiction, romance, and teen fiction.
The authors I work with run the gamut from first-time writers to more seasoned ones. No matter your level of experience, my approach always begins with listening to you and outlining your goals for our collaboration. Whether you're looking for in-depth feedback and direction to further develop your book, a meticulous and qualified editor to ensure your copy is clean and polished, or a second set of eyes to spot any typos you may have missed before your text goes out the door, my goal is to make sure you're always putting your best foot forward as we shape your creation into the final product you imagined.
TESTIMONIALS
“I consider myself lucky to have worked with Alison on my book, Nothing More. She did a fantastic job; she combed through every sentence, worked her editing magic on sentences that stumped me, took the time to really understand the characters—proven by her spot-on comments and suggestions—and she returned to me a story that flowed so fluently. It was clear to see that she cared about my story as much as I did, and as a writer I couldn’t ask for more. She was a pleasure to work with from start to finish and it is my hope to work with her again.”
— Janine Olsson, author of Nothing More
“Over the years, I have hired Alison to review and edit a wide variety of writing products, ranging from website content and formal reports to academic papers and fellowship applications. Regardless of form or format, Alison’s work has been nothing short of superb. She is meticulous and thorough, and has an uncanny knack for allowing me to maintain my voice while eliminating errors and refining my style. She knows when to correct and when to suggest. She balances technical competency with a personal touch that empathizes with the writer, therefore not only improving their writing but elevating their game. I cannot possibly recommend Alison more strongly.”
— Zack Bazzi, co-founder of TentED
I edit both fiction and non-fiction. I have worked as an in-house editor covering a variety of topics within trade non-fiction and education, including photography, political science, and developmental mathematics. I also have experience working on a variety of format types, from traditional printed books to interactive online learning experiences. On the fiction side, I primarily edit books for self-publishing writers who write women's fiction, romance, and teen fiction.
The authors I work with run the gamut from first-time writers to more seasoned ones. No matter your level of experience, my approach always begins with listening to you and outlining your goals for our collaboration. Whether you're looking for in-depth feedback and direction to further develop your book, a meticulous and qualified editor to ensure your copy is clean and polished, or a second set of eyes to spot any typos you may have missed before your text goes out the door, my goal is to make sure you're always putting your best foot forward as we shape your creation into the final product you imagined.
TESTIMONIALS
“I consider myself lucky to have worked with Alison on my book, Nothing More. She did a fantastic job; she combed through every sentence, worked her editing magic on sentences that stumped me, took the time to really understand the characters—proven by her spot-on comments and suggestions—and she returned to me a story that flowed so fluently. It was clear to see that she cared about my story as much as I did, and as a writer I couldn’t ask for more. She was a pleasure to work with from start to finish and it is my hope to work with her again.”
— Janine Olsson, author of Nothing More
“Over the years, I have hired Alison to review and edit a wide variety of writing products, ranging from website content and formal reports to academic papers and fellowship applications. Regardless of form or format, Alison’s work has been nothing short of superb. She is meticulous and thorough, and has an uncanny knack for allowing me to maintain my voice while eliminating errors and refining my style. She knows when to correct and when to suggest. She balances technical competency with a personal touch that empathizes with the writer, therefore not only improving their writing but elevating their game. I cannot possibly recommend Alison more strongly.”
— Zack Bazzi, co-founder of TentED
Languages
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Photography
Political Science & Current Affairs
Fiction
Women's Fiction
Young Adult
Certifications
- Professional Certificate in Copyediting (Emerson College)
Work experience
Freelance Editor, Copy Editor, Proofreader & French to English Translator
Self-employed
May, 2014
–
Present
(almost 9 years)
• Provide development editing, copy editing, and proofreading services to a variety of clients, including academic presses, educational publishers, international non-profits, and self-publishing authors.
• Content types include web content, newsletters, formal reports, and full-length books.
Editorial Content Developer (Development Editor, Ed-Tech)
Cengage
November, 2015
–
February, 2018
(over 2 years)
• Developed and managed the creation process of print and digital products on the Political Science and Developmental Mathematics lists.
• Worked with authors, freelancers, and subject matter experts to deliver high-quality, up-to-date, innovative, and effective content based on market research and feedback.
Lead Editor
photo.net
May, 2014
–
November, 2015
(over 1 year)
• As the editor of the website, a site providing an online community and educational content for over 200,000 active members worldwide, I was responsible for all facets of editorial planning and publishing.
• Envisioned, acquired, edited, and published online content on topics ranging from technical equipment reviews and how-to articles and video tutorials to inspirational pieces and interviews with professional photographers.
Editorial Project Manager, Photography & Digital Art (Trade)
Focal Press
October, 2012
–
May, 2014
(over 1 year)
Guided projects on the photography and digital art list from proposal to publication. Specific tasks included serving as the authors’ main point of contact during the writing process, reviewing chapter samples, and helping authors develop and strengthen their writing.
Portfolio (15 selected works)
Zoos of the Midwest: A Travel Guide of 28 Midwestern Zoos and Photo Book of Their Animals (Zoos: A Photo Book and Guide)
Toothman, Stephen, Toothman, Stephen
Nothing More
Janine Olsson
“There is agony in your voice and need in your touch, But you tell me nothing, Fearing you’ll reveal too much? So I sit in my darkness, alone and crushed. Is this it? Is this how it will be? Is this it? All right . . . You play the coward and I’ll play the girl who can’t see.” —Liv What happens when a popular high school senior who believes all he has to offer is his good looks falls in love w... read more
Perfectly Damaged
E L Montes
WARNING: Due to possible triggers, sexual content, and language this book is intended for ages of 18+ PERFECTLY DAMAGED (STANDALONE) Schizoaffective disorder: a mental illness in which a person experiences a combination of mood disorder and schizophrenia symptoms. I know about this illness—very well—because I suffer from it. It’s been four years since my diagnosis, and ever since, I’ve been li... read more
Hollywood & Vine
Olivia Evans
In the land of Hollywood, bright lights cover lies, truths hide in shadows, and the lives of the rich and famous are illusions created by smoke and mirrors.When costume designer Josie Bane first lays eyes on Anders Ellis, she hates him instantly. Conceited and arrogant, he's the epitome of a Hollywood playboy. So it’s much to Josie’s dismay when he becomes the star of her sexual fantasies.Neve... read more
MERMAID: A NOVEL
Cushman, Jessica
Visual Alchemy: The Fine Art of Digital Montage
Catherine McIntyre
Catherine McIntyre, like many fine artists, created traditional art for decades before encountering the versatility of digital imaging technology. Free of her Rotring pens and scalpel, she now uses Photoshop to create her montages. Visual Alchemy explores McIntyre’s sources of inspiration as well as her methods, offering an aesthetic guide to composition, color, texture and all of the other me... read more
This groundbreaking survey of significant work and ideas focuses on imagemakers who have pushed beyond the boundaries of photography as a window on our material world. Through interviews with more than 40 key artists, this book explores a diverse group of curious experimentalists who have propelled the medium’s evolution by visualizing their subject matter as it originates from their mind’s ey... read more
Photography is not dying and has not died. It has been an ever-changing medium since its earliest days, and while near-obsession with the technology of the day may have defined photography over the course of its existence, photography is so much more than hardware and software. Photography is communication, whether chemical or digital, tangible or ephemeral in form. Photography Beyond Techniqu... read more
Camera & Craft: Learning the Technical Art of Digital Photography: (The Digital Imaging Masters Series)
Andy Batt, Candace Dobro, Jodie Steen
#2 on Photo.net's list of Best Photography Books of 2014! To create successful imagery, you need to balance technical know-how and aesthetic vision. In Camera & Craft, we deconstruct photographic principles in new ways to help you think through your process. Together with nine guest photographers, we explore photographic practice and follow up with inventive exercises and demonstrations that c... read more
We have all felt the frustration of wasting time, paper, and effort when our prints or web images don’t match the images we see on our monitors. Fortunately, you’re holding the resource that will help solve these problems. This book guides you through the hardware settings and software steps you’ll need to post professional images and make stunning prints that showcase your artistic vision. In... read more
Power, Speed & Automation with Adobe Photoshop: (The Digital Imaging Masters Series)
Geoff Scott, Jeffrey Tranberry
This is a must for the serious Photoshop user! Power, Speed & Automation explores how to customize and automate Photoshop to increase your speed and productivity. With numerous step-by-step instructions, the authors-two of Adobe's own software developers!- walk you through the steps to best tailor Photoshop's interface to your personal workflow; write and apply Actions; and use batching and sc... read more
Light Science & Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting
Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua
Photographic lighting is a topic that will never go out of style, no matter how sophisticated cameras and other technology get. Even with the most high-tech gear, photographers still need to put a lot of thought and vision into lighting their photographs in order to get great results. This key skill has the power to dramatically and quickly improve photographs. Light Science and Magic provides... read more
Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography
Dan Bailey
The difference between getting the shot and missing the shot comes down to split seconds and how you manage your gear and your technique. In Outdoor Action and Adventure Photography professional adventure sports photographer Dan Bailey shows readers how to react quickly to unfolding scenes and anticipate how the subject and the background might converge. Capturing those significant moments to ... read more
American Government and Politics Today: Essentials 2017-2018 Edition
Barbara A. Bardes, Mack C. Shelley, Steffen W. Schmidt
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS TODAY: THE ESSENTIALS, 2017-2018 Edition, inspires you to join the exciting process of being active, informed citizens. Unbiased, concisely organized, and updated with Election 2016 coverage, the authors provide encouragement and suggestions for ways to become involved in the political process. MindTap, Cengage Learning's fully online learning solution, is avai... read more
Practicing Texas Politics, 2017-2018 Edition (Texas: It's a State of MindTap)
Lyle Brown, Joyce A. Langenegger, Sonia Garcia, Robert E. Biles, Ryan Rynbrandt
PRACTICING TEXAS POLITICS, 2017-2018 Edition, analyzes the practices and policies of the Lone Star State and gives you a realistic introduction to how public-policy making is conducted there. This edition includes a special focus on the role of a growing Latino population in all aspects of Texas government, the impact of the 2016 elections on the state, and the effect of a floundering oil and ... read more
Alison has 7 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Alison's ability to identify issues and highlight inconsistencies that could be appeared hundreds of pages apart from each other was invaluable. The quality and professionalism of the final work and greatly enhanced by Alison's involvement.
Rob Shea, September 2022
Alison exceeded my expectations! Her attention to detail and feedback dramatically improved the quality of this book. I found great value in her process and knowledge of photography. As a first-time author, I appreciate her positive and constructive feedback in areas new to me. I strongly recommend working with Alison!
Rob Shea, May 2022
Alison was a pleasure to work with. The amount of work she put into my manuscript is amazing. She did a thorough, thoughtful job. Her suggestions were spot on and well explained which, as a new author, is greatly appreciated. Beyond grammar, she spotted issues with time lines and character movements I had overlooked numerous times and never would have caught on my own. Also, she pointed out whe...
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Jessica Cushman, August 2020
I had Alison do two editing tasks for me. The first task was to proofread an 84,000-word manuscript. She did an amazing job with correcting my copy editor’s usage of past tense, style, and grammar. Her approach is very methodical, and she is a master of the Chicago Manual of Style, and what resources to defer to when the manual doesn’t address a specific issue. The second task was to copy edit ...
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Robert Shellenbarger, July 2020
Alison is always wonderful to work with and very helpful.
Stephen Toothman, May 2020
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