Alyssa Hollingsworth - Editor
Newport News, VA, United States
Character arc, development, and voice--my favorite story aspects! I love highlighting authors' talents and providing insight for weaknesses.
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Overview
I have my MA in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University, where I graduated valedictorian. I'm also a writer myself, and represented by Skylark Literary Agency.
In the past, I worked as co-editor for an anthology that launched last May in London. As part of my role, I was responsible for extensive copyediting and proofreading of the 19 stories submitted by our writers. I have also worked as a critique partner, beta reader, and editor for writers from various backgrounds, from brand new to published, over the last seven years. This includes work with Sarah Driver, author of the Middle Grade book HUNTRESS: SEA, which sold in a six-figure deal to Egmont in the United Kingdom.
I love copy editing and proofreading, but I specialize in developmental edits. To give you an idea of what you would receive from me in a content edit: I normally make comments as I read, with the occasional page or half page of larger feedback at the end of a chapter. I also provide a detailed overview of the whole novel (normally 6-12 pages), organized into less overwhelming chunks, which will highlight both your strengths and weaknesses. I guarantee that for every potential problem I find, I will offer you ideas for how to fix it.
Whether you're looking for line-level edits like grammar and punctuation, or structural recommendations and character development - I would love to give you the feedback you need to take the story to the next level!
Languages
English (US)
Fiction
Adventure
Children's - Middle Grade
Children's Picture Books
Christian
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
Young Adult & Teen
Non-Fiction
Travel
Certifications
- Bachelor of Arts: English (with emphasis in Creative Writing)
- Master of Arts: Writing for Young People
Awards
- Honorary Mention for Most Promising Writing for Young People
- Third Place Winner for Prize in Ethics from The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity
- Alice Wingo Essay Award
- Valedictorian of MA Writing for Young People
Work experience
Co-Editor
Bath Spa University
July, 2014
–
July, 2015
(about 1 year)
Co Editor for the M.A. Writing for Young People anthology, launched on May 2015. Managed a team of 19 writers, split into multiple teams including but not limited to: venue, art/illustration, social media, and mailing list. Worked one-on-one with website team member to build the website, and create and run a social media strategy. Created graphics used in social media campaign. Copy-edited and proofread pieces prior to publication.
Editorial Moderator
Free Word
June, 2014
–
August, 2014
(2 months)
Moderated, scanned, and prepped submissions for the Letter to an Unknown Soldier campaign to build a digital memorial for WWI (over 21000 letters submitted). Promoted the project through social media and managed accounts.
Editor
Freelance
February, 2014
–
Present
(almost 5 years)
Work one-on-one with over ten new independent children’s authors, providing detailed feedback from structural recommendations to line edits. Give structural edits and feedback for over six novel manuscripts. Create blog content for various websites, including Writing Forward. Edit dissertations in APA style for numerous PhD candidates.
Ramifications Editor-in-Chief
Berry College
August, 2012
–
May, 2013
(10 months)
Organized submissions for selection and oversaw production of magazine. Trained five staff members and between one to three volunteers in InDesign. Proofread before printing.
Student Editorial Supervisor
Berry College Philanthropic Communications
August, 2012
–
May, 2013
(10 months)
Researched, pitched, wrote and edited stories for the web and print. Acted as liaison between offices to ensure student features were completed and on the website by deadline. Among other stories, wrote Turn the Radio On, the cover article for Berry Magazine Summer 2013.
Portfolio (3 selected works)
A Seed of Love
Stephanie M Giorgianni
A Seed of Love is a unique, adoption story as seen through the eyes of an unusual little friend, Lulu the ladybug. Lulu she sees a family that looks different from other families she has seen before and so she sets out on a journey to find out why. Along the way, she is helped by some dear friends and in the end she finds out what it truly means to be a family.
On Platform One of Paddington Station in London, there is a statue of an unknown soldier; he’s reading a letter. On the hundredth anniversary of the declaration of war everyone in the country was invited to take a moment and write that letter. A selection of those letters are published here, in a new kind of war memorial – one made only of words.In a year of public commemoration ‘Letter to an ... read more
Skinny Minnie
Charmaine L Smith
Minnie is trying to get excited about the dance recital. But when her classmates pick on her, she doesn’t even want to go on stage. It’s only through Minnie’s kindness that she discovers the secret to making friends out of foes. “Skinny Minnie” is a book that teaches children how to overcome teasing and just dance.
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