Alison Jefferson

Alison Jefferson - Editor

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Editor & writing coach, 10yrs experience. Fiction: SF, Fantasy. Non-fiction: Education/Sociology. Qualified: Ph.D., MS.c., M.A., P.G.CE.

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Overview

I'm a professional freelance editor with a decade of experience. Originally from the UK and a native English speaker, I now live in Toronto, Ontario, but work with clients all over the globe.

Regardless of the type of edit you need, my goal is to retain your unique voice and style. I can help you to refine your fiction manuscript, honing your prose to bring your plot to life. The aim is to enhance readability to help you grow your target audience. I can help you with your pacing, tense, point of view, and how to write for a target audience, whether you're writing about a mad scientist, an alien species, or dinosaur droppings!
I have over ten years of experience in editing (and tutoring) across various disciplines and genres. I have always been an avid reader and have a love of many genres, but my specialties are science fiction and fantasy.

I offer developmental editing and stylistic line editing for novels and shorts. I enjoy working with less-experienced authors new to the writing and publishing world, as I get to use my knowledge and experience in teaching and coaching to help clients improve their craft for future manuscripts. I'm always happy to offer manuscript assessments and coaching - please just ask.


A bit more about me:

I'm not just an editor — I also work as an academic researcher and author. I've worked on several non-fiction manuscripts for independent authors and publishers alike, including Springer and academic presses such as McGill-Queens University Press, and I am a senior copyeditor for an academic journal (CJNSE). I divide my time between the two worlds of academia and fiction. I seem to spend half my day neck-deep in Bourdieu; the other half of my day is spent trawling the internet, checking the distance to Alpha Centauri or how fast a T-Rex runs... The perks of being an editor!

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Alison was a pleasure to work with. She provided honest, insightful, and actionable feedback on areas where the manuscript was good as well as areas where it needed improvements. Turnaround times for edits were quicker than expected, and she was always responsive to the many queries I had. I would recommend Alison if you require an editor.
Hoi T. Pham -- Author, Broken.

This was the second project I worked with Alison on and she did not disappoint. She's talented and knowledgable
at what she does. Honestly, a great person to fine-tune, edit, and overall enhance your work. Highly recommend!
C. Lawrence -- Author, Dark Guardian.
Languages
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference
Fiction
Fantasy
Science Fiction

Certifications

  • Ph.D.
  • M.A.
  • MS.c.
  • P.G.C.E.
  • BS.c. (Hons).
  • Cert. Fiction Writing

Work experience

University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity

Self-employed
July, 2021 – April, 2022 (9 months)

Provided copyediting service and worked as junior editor to push the project through to completion which included liaising with the chapter authors for various revisions, collating the final manuscript and creating the index. The book was published in 2022.

The Zoolinguist

Self-employed
November, 2020 – February, 2021 (3 months)

Provided a stylistic line edit for a historical fantasy fiction novel by S.A. Adams. Worked on two iterations over three months, before the book was published in March 2021. Currently 4.5 stars on amazon.

Universities in the Knowledge Society: The Nexus of National Systems of Innovation and Higher Education

Self-employed
September, 2020 – September, 2021 (about 1 year)

Provided copyediting assistance for an edited volume, published by Springer. The book is to receive the Council on International Higher Education Award For Significant Research on International Higher Education at the annual meeting of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) in November 2022. The prize is given every year to a book or major publication that is judged to make a very significant contribution to scholarship on international higher education.

Guardians of Adim : Defenders of Agworia

Self-employed
June, 2020 – July, 2021 (about 1 year)

Provided manuscript assessment, developmental editing, stylistic line editing, and proofreading for a first-in-series fantasy action-adventure novel by Ikenna Osuji. Ikenna's work is influenced by West African cultures, creating a distinct blend of Afrocentric folklore combined with anime-style themes. Published as an independent author on Amazon, and currently rated 5 stars.

Broken

Self-employed
May, 2020 – July, 2020 (2 months)

Developmental and line editing of a contemporary fiction novel by independent author, Hoi T. Pham. First published in December 2020, and currently 4 stars on Amazon.

Freelance editor

Self-employed
April, 2019 – Present (almost 4 years)

Various clients. Provided editing (developmental, line, copy) and proofreading services for websites and business materials, fiction and non-fiction manuscripts, and academic work (i.e., editing, plus writing, referencing, and research support for masters and doctoral dissertations, and journal submissions).

Senior Copyeditor

Canadian Journal for Students in Higher Education
January, 2019 – Present (about 4 years)

Provide reviewing, editing advice (structural), and copyediting for journal article submissions. Mentor graduate students and ECRs to help them through the publication process.

Editorial Assistant

University of Toronto
September, 2018 – August, 2019 (11 months)

Working with one professor of higher education to provide assistance on two book manuscripts to push through to final submission with McGill-Queens Press.

Freelance writing/editing support and tutoring

First Tutors
January, 2009 – August, 2018 (over 9 years)

Worked with numerous students in various disciplines/levels to provide in-person tutoring services, including (but not limited to) secondary and post-secondary sciences and maths, English language/writing.

Portfolio (11 selected works)

Broken

Pham, Hoi T.

Guardians of Adim : Defenders of Agworia

Osuji, Ikenna, Ha, Rustam , Jefferson, Alison

Timepieces

Richards, W.A.

University Governance in Canada: Navigating Complexity

Eastman, Julia, Jones, Glen A., Trottier, Claude, Bégin-Caouette, Olivier

Alison has 2 reviews

Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality

James Le Bas
Alison promptly agreed to take on my manuscript. This was a time only two other editors volunteered some time later. With the content nature of the manuscript I was grateful for her kind professionalism and alacrity. I have not yet delved too far into the manuscript she gave me, but what I have seen is accurate and appropriate. She has invited me to get back in touch with her after I processed ...
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James Le Bas, March 2023

Alison Jefferson
.

Reply from Alison Jefferson


Mike Cohen
Alison gave me an editorial assessment that led me to make many improvements to my manuscript. Her editorial report was comprehensive and insightful. Also, Alison was punctual, delightful and easy to work with. I highly recommend her.

Mike Cohen, January 2023

Alison Jefferson
Mike was wonderful to work with. He was clear about his requirements and expectations, and his communication was always friendly, polite, and timely. He took feedback on board, asked questions, and...
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Reply from Alison Jefferson

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