Dr. Alison Jefferson

Dr. Alison Jefferson – Editor

Professional editor (development/line/copy and acquisitions). Specialize in helping unpublished authors. Fiction: SF/F. NonFiction: various.

Overview

I'm a professional nonfiction commissioning editor and copyeditor, and a freelance developmental/line fiction editor. I have 15 years of experience in writing, editing, and coaching/tutoring across various disciplines and genres.


Regardless of the type of edit, I aim to retain your unique voice and style while considering your target audience, whether you're writing science fiction or science fact, for traditional or self-publishing. I can help you refine your manuscript, honing your prose to bring your plot to life or clarify your structure to help explain your argument. The aim is to enhance readability to help you grow your target audience through clarity, structure, pacing, tense, and point of view.


FICTION -- I am an avid reader and love many genres, but my editing specialties in fiction are science fiction/speculative fiction and fantasy. I offer developmental editing and stylistic line editing for novels and shorts.


NON-FICTION/ACADEMIC -- Due to my background and previous roles, my non-fiction specialties are education, sociology, and social justice; I have authored, acquired, and edited various collections, academic articles, dissertations, and continue to publish my work as an independent researcher/scholar.


I specialize in working with newer authors and those new to the publishing industry; I use my knowledge and experience in teaching and coaching to help you improve your craft for future manuscripts and get your manuscript seen by agents and/or self-published. I'm always happy to offer manuscript assessments and coaching - please ask.


Prices: I based my prices on Editorial Freelance Association (EFA) guidelines. You can check out their rates page to get an idea of average prices. I'm always willing to work with you to create a service which suits your manuscript and your budget, wherever possible.


A bit more about me:


I've worked on myriad nonfiction manuscripts for independent authors and publishers including Springer and McGill-Queens University Press. I divide my time between academia and fiction. Half my day is concerned with book contracts and social theory; the other half is spent trawling the internet, checking the distance to Alpha Centauri or how fast a T-Rex runs... the perks of having multiple roles I love.


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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.

Services
Non-Fiction
Education & Reference Sociology Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Fantasy Science Fiction
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Ph.D.
  • M.A.
  • MS.c.
  • P.G.C.E.
  • BS.c. (Hons).
  • Cert. Fiction Writing

Work experience

Peter Lang

Feb, 2023 — Present
Acquisitions editor for education, social justice, sociology, and writing/study skills and techniques.

Peter Lang

Feb, 2023 — Present
Acquiring and seeing book through editorial/publication process for education, sociology, social justice, and writing/study skills.

Self-employed

Jul, 2021 — Apr, 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.

Self-employed

Nov, 2020 — Feb, 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.

Self-employed

Sep, 2020 — Sep, 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.

Self-employed

Jun, 2020 — Jul, 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.

Self-employed

May, 2020 — Jul, 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.

Self-employed

Apr, 2019 — Present
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).

Canadian Journal for Students in Higher Education

Jan, 2019 — Present
Provide reviewing, editing advice (structural), and copyediting for journal article submissions. Mentor graduate students and ECRs to help them through the publication process.

University of Toronto

Sep, 2018 — Aug, 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.

First Tutors

Jan, 2009 — Aug, 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.

Dr. Alison has 12 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

James L.

James L.

Mar, 2023

Pinned
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 s...
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Dr. Alison J.
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Mike C.

Mike C.

Jan, 2023

Pinned
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.
Dr. Alison J.
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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Darryl D.

Darryl D.

Apr, 2025

Thank you Ali. From the bottom of my heart. Not many people make you feel like they care. Alison does. Firm, yet understanding. Artist and soldier. I tip my hat. Rare does a person cross your path with the integrity of the woman. She's here to help. She's as passionate as you are. New authors? Th...
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Jennifer M.

Jennifer M.

Jan, 2025

Dr. Alison was a pleasure to work with. Throughout the process she was responsive, professional, knowledgeable, and collaborative. This is exactly what I was looking for in an editor and my final manuscript is better because of her input and advice. I would absolutely recommend her services and I...
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Roger D.

Roger D.

Jan, 2025

I had the privilege of working with Alison on my manuscript, and her feedback has been transformative. From the moment I read her editorial report, I could tell she understood my story and the emotional depth and themes I wanted to convey. Her ability to pinpoint areas that needed more clarity, t...
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