Jeff Alessandrelli

Jeff Alessandrelli – Editor

Dynamic, best-selling writer in multiple genres providing developmental editing, copy editing, manuscript evaluations, and book coaching.

Overview

The founder and executive director of an innovative literary arts nonprofit, I've shaped and edited titles by multiple Pulitzer-Prize winning authors, with accolades received by venues such as The Paris Review, Harper's, PBS NewsHour, The Poetry Foundation, Poets & Writers and the Poetry Society of America, among others. My goal as an editor is to invest the music of language with the evocation of concrete story.


I have a B.A. in literature, an M.A. in creative writing (poetry, specifically), and a PhD in literature/creative writing. I've founded and ran multiple successful literary presses and taught college writing for 12+ years; during that time I was also the assistant director of two different college writing centers. I have shaped and edited literary journals, city magazines, poetry manuscripts, nonfiction titles, vinyl records, and more.


I offer manuscript evaluation, developmental editing, copyediting, and any combination thereof. I also am an accomplished book coach, working with a variety of different authors on their manuscripts and leading many of them to publication. I enjoy working with authors at every step, from conception to finished product, and I take pride in developing a good rapport with my clients. Strong communication and focused artistic intent are my main priorities as an editor.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Music Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Literary Fiction Poetry
Languages
English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)
Certifications
  • Ph.D. in Literature/Creative Writing

Work experience

Fonograf Editions

Jan, 2016 — Present
Innovative nonprofit literary record label/book press, which has published titles by multiple Pulitzer Prize and National Book Critics Circle award winners. Executive Director duties include curation, editing, art direction and publicity/promotion.

Independent Publishing Resource Center

Aug, 2014 — Aug, 2015 (about 1 year)

Dikembe Press

Jan, 2012 — Jun, 2017 (over 5 years)
Co-founded and ran this national standing poetry chapbook press. Published authors included winners of The Believer Book Award and National Poetry Series. Editor duties included selecting authors, editing manuscripts, and coordinating /directing all cover art and promotional materials.

Prairie Schooner

Jan, 2011 — Aug, 2013 (over 2 years)
Senior editor at international standing literary journal Prairie Schooner. Duties include selecting authors for publication, editing manuscripts, and soliciting authors.

various universities

Jan, 2007 — Present
Since 2007 I've taught English at the college level, at various universities throughout the U.S. (Primarily in the West and Midwest.) Sections taught include generalized lower and upper division courses in creative writing, literature and composition, along with more specific ones such as Fiction Writing: The Apocalypse, From John Milton to Anne Sexton: Comedy in Poetry Writing, and Hip Hop and Poetry and Everything Rhythmically Else.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
An Inheritance

Albert, Mark

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Early Works

Notley, Alice

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Hole Studies

Plum, Hilary

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing
Trouble Finds You

Wilkinson, Joshua Marie

Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
Phoebe and Fred

Johnson, Nathaniel S.

Nothing of the Month Club

Alessandrelli, Jeff

Fur Not Light

Alessandrelli, Jeff

Stray: A Graphic Tone

Susan Howe / Nathaniel Mackey

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Indexing
Fodder: Live at Disjecta

Douglas Kearney & Val Jeanty

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Indexing
Conflation

Rae Armantrout

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Indexing
Live In Seattle

Alice Notley

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Lovability

Frey, Emily Kendal

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Instrument

Strom, Dao

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment Proofreading

Jeff has 31 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Chana F.

Chana F.

Mar, 2024

Jeff got the manuscript back to me early and wrote an evaluation of my poetry chapbook that made me feel seen, my work understood. Thank you, Jeff. Your lengthy, detailed analysis made me cry (in a good way.) Sorry to make the review so short - the Reedsy app ate the first, longer one and I'm ti...
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Hannah N.

Hannah N.

Jan, 2024

Jeff gave me a lot of good feedback and was very helpful in answering my concerns about my book. He is definitely a great editor to rely on. He also gave me some excellent reading recommendations.
Jeff A.
Thanks so much, Hannah. Your work is deeply felt and unique and I definitely think your book will find its way into the world.
Thomas M.

Thomas M.

Aug, 2023

Jeff provided a very thorough assessment of my work with many suggestions, especially how to make my work more accessible by keeping me on my path when I wandered off. Jeff obviously put a lot of time and effort into his assessment, his suggestions were clear and concise.
Osmani R. A.

Osmani R. A.

Aug, 2023

I can honestly say that my manuscript is so much better because of Jeff's helpful feedback and edits. It was an absolutely great experience working with him in such a tight timeline. He was timely, thoughtful, available, and responsive. I feel like he understood my voice, was respectful with his ...
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Jeff A.
Thanks so much, Osmani--I think your book is unique and worthy. I'll be around if you have further questions also. Cheers-- Jeff
Jessica M.

Jessica M.

Aug, 2023

I truly appreciated Jeff’s thorough and insightful feedback on my poetry manuscript. He was not only early on delivery, but also very responsive to all my questions throughout the process. I would highly recommend Jeff to anyone interested in working with a skilled and thoughtful professional.
Jeff A.
Thanks so much, Jessica--I loved your work and am crossing my fingers about the manuscript.

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