Alissa McGowan

Alissa McGowan – Editor

Freelance editor with 10+ years of experience specializing in lesbian fiction, romance, speculative fiction, mystery, self-help, and memoir.

Overview

At it's core, writing is about connection. Sharing our stories and truths, our wisdom and insights, our rawness and vulnerability--this is one of the ways that we show up and shine light in this world for ourselves and each other. This is true whether you're writing about fictional characters falling in love or about the real-life struggles of caring for a chronically ill child. It is always in the hope that your words will resonate with those who read them. That you'll make an impact, touch hearts, open minds, and leave people changed on some level.

The written word is powerful magic. When a reader is actively engaged with your writing, it becomes more than mere ink on paper or pixels on a screen. The story comes to life. The message or information causes a shift. And this alchemy requires that the vision in y our head translates clearly to the page in a way that other people can access.

Enter my red pen.

You need an exceptional partner--someone to provide fresh eyes and an outside perspective, to support you in clarifying and carrying out the vision and intention of your work. What that partnership looks like is different for every project, and largely depends on where you are in the writing process. I can act as coach, collaborator, or revision partner.

Regardless of the nature of our collaboration, I only accept projects I can support wholeheartedly, which means you get a partner who is deeply invested in you and your work. You and I are a team in service to your book and your readers; it's my job to provide the professional support and critical eye you need to become the best writer you can be. And I'm really fucking amazing at it.

But don't take my word for it; just ask my clients!
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs LGBTQ Non-Fiction Self-Help & Self-Improvement
Fiction
Fantasy LGBTQ Fiction Mystery & Crime Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Aug, 2012 — Present

I help authors and businesses clearly, effectively, and powerfully communicate their stories, ideas, or messages to their intended audience. I act as a liaison between writer and readers, ensuring that the vision in your head translates clearly to the page for others to receive.

Portfolio

Fourteen authors of lesbian fiction contributed otherworldly, thrilling and supernatural short stories that will keep you glued to your seat. Authors: Andi Marquette; Bridget Essex; Catherine Lane; Cori Kane; Elaine Burnes; Erzabet Bishop; Eve Francis; Lois Cl... read more
Unstilled Voices

Lois Cloarec Hart

For decades, Audrey and Marni have been a loving couple, their happiness marred only by the hostility of Audrey’s son, Richard. When Audrey is rendered silent by a stroke and unable to assert her wishes, Richard assumes power of attorney and banishes Marni fro... read more
Growing up gay in the Bible Belt is hard— especially when feelings are so suppressed by fear and adherence to “normal.” It took years for Meredith to recognize her identity and realize that her heart’s desires were not wretched. Like many children raised in fu... read more
Claire, fairy godmother level one plus, is one of the best operatives at the Fairy Godmother Council, but god-mothering in the twenty-first century isn’t all it used to be. The magic’s drying up; the girls are spoiled brats, and guardian angels poach the counc... read more
Times of Our Lives

Jane Waterton

„Growing older is not for Sissies…“ Set against the backdrop of OWL Haven, Australia’s first exclusively lesbian retirement community, an irreverent cast of residents share their lives, hopes and dreams together. At 65, Meg Sullivan is very clear about what an... read more
Tragedy destroyed Alex Kohen’s life, until fate offered her a chance to escape her nightmares and possibly find love…Beautiful, compassionate Dr. Alex Kohen had the perfect life – until, in an instant, it was tragically ripped from her. Plagued by her demons, ... read more
Stone Gardens

Lois Claorec Hart

For eight years, Grae Jordan has been trapped in a purgatory of her own making. She has spiralled from the privileged life into which she was born to the lowest stratum of society. Grae guards her heart with a protective wall as hard as granite, adorns her bod... read more
The Shout

Mr Franklyn E Jones

One player's tale of Antigua's Halcyon Steel Orchestra's rise, and the tremendous Shout of appreciation that welcomed the band as Steelband Champions in 1975.
Are you ready to join the Sacred Bombshell r/evolution? It's Time to Step Into Your Greatness! The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love is your passport to become the woman you were born to be. If you've been looking for a sign, this is it. Love-Body-Spirit™... read more
Outcasts of the Worlds

Lucas Aubrey Paynter

"Beyond the remnants of Earth lie many worlds, connected by pathways forgotten and invisible. They were left by the gods and have been found by Flynn." A confidence man. A liar. A monster. Flynn has seen himself for what he really is and has resolved to pay fo... read more
Corporate lawyer Sarah Connolly keeps her love life simple—no strings, no complications, and definitely no falling in love. It works for her, even if it’s getting a little, well, boring. Demure teacher Bethany Keane has been out of the dating pool for ages but... read more
Momentous Living is a contemplative memoir that suggests a better world begins with a better self. This mindset acknowledges the hardness in overcoming hard stuff, but believes there’s much to learn along the way. Momentous Living explores words that are not s... read more
The Kingdom of Oceana

Mitchell Charles

SURFER. SHARK TAMER. FIRE WALKER. EXPLORER. TEENAGER. HERO.Five Centuries Ago,On the Island Now Called Hawaii,There was a Kingdom Filled with Adventure, Beauty, and Magic.When 16-year-old Prince Ailani and his brother Nahoa trespass on a forbidden burial groun... read more
As reality nears its final days, worlds fall to ruin. A benevolent god is shackled, and when freed, will create a new one ... allowing only the pure of heart. A company of seven have united on a bloody quest to stop him, but have little hope of emerging victor... read more
City professional Olivia Lewis is coming to terms with her latest romantic failure by attempting to throw herself into her work. But with clients suddenly leaving Applewood Financial in their droves it becomes clear that old enemies have decided to strike and ... read more
In college, Elizabeth Smile shared a magical tryst with her roommate, Michelle Harlow. She had no idea the night would leave Elizabeth pining after her for the next ten years. Now Michelle is back with a strange offer: Will she pretend to be Michelle’s lesbian... read more
Easy Nevada is a fortune hunter with an eye on a pyramid buried for two thousand years. She’ll do anything to get her hands on its untold riches, if she can just get past the deadly traps that protect them. Candice Cushing is an archaeologist born in Sudan and... read more
Obese and disfigured, Coyote Jones has spent his life in hiding. Trapped by the demands of his abusive mother and his mentally-ill sister, Coyote spends his day working to pay the family bills. When his dead father shows up to ask him to come to another world ... read more
For superhero Swiftwing, crime fighting isn’t her biggest battle. Nor is it having to meet the demanding whims of Hollywood screen goddess Gwen Knight as her mild-mannered assistant, Ava. It’s doing all that, while tracking a giant alien bug, being asked to fa... read more
Bitter Fruit

Lois Cloarec Hart

Fuelled by booze and boredom, Jac Lanier accepts an unusual wager from her best friend. Victoria, for reasons of her own, impulsively challenges Jac to seduce Lauren, her co-worker and a young woman Jac’s never met. Under the terms of their bet, Jac has exactl... read more
Beyond and Begone

Lois Cloarec Hart

Erin has retreated from the world after the loss of her wife, Gwen, in a hit-and-run accident. Her best friend, Mariel, who is also her late wife’s sister, is the only person she’s interacted with for years. Finally, Erin dips her toes back into the dating poo... read more
Psychiatrist Dr. Tonya Preston lives a life of cool detachment, often sacrificing her personal needs to appease her opinionated father. She often finds it easier to deal with patients than confront her family or her own issues. When her path dramatically cross... read more
Get ready for Klingon-speaking Cosplayers, cutthroat convention politics, and the unlikeliest heroes ever known inside the epic dark comedy Battle at the Comic Expo. Ron Lionel is the hottest creator working in comic books today. His comic series, The Enduring... read more
Three years ago, Sue Brent proposed to Moni Kratzmann in the corridor of the Royal Flying Doctor Base. Now, with marriage equality finally the law in Australia, their wedding is on. As friends and family from near and far gather at Jayboro Outstation in outbac... read more
A successful anaesthetist, Anna is focused on herself, her career, and her girlfriend. Everything changes abruptly when her brother’s and sister-in-law’s deaths devastate her and her family. Left responsible for her young niece and nephew, Anna finds herself d... read more
In the community of Celadon (on a Caribbean island) the residents - family, friends and neighbors - helped each other, shared food, mêlée, and responsibilities. On weekends they drank a little, quarreled some, cooked big meals, and attended church. The communi... read more
The Affair

Cori Kane

Linda and Robin have never counted on being anything but colleagues, working together on an advertisement for a new perfume, especially since both are married. But soon, their close working relationship throws them into a passionate affair, which becomes so mu... read more

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