Allison Lynn

Allison Lynn – Editor

Detail-driven, dedicated editor (for 15+ years) with a passion for helping writers of literary fiction bring their work to the next level,

Overview

Fiction is my thing: writing it, reading it, and editing it.


On the writing front, I'm the author of two novels, one published by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster and the other by Little A/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. I've also reviewed books for The New York Times Book Review, The Chicago Sun-Times, and People magazine. I hold an MFA from New York University, and I currently teach fiction workshops and advise thesis students in the graduate Creative Writing program at Butler University. Basically, I've spent my life studying what makes a good story — and then putting that knowledge to use.


As for my editing services, I offer detailed developmental and line edits for projects of all lengths, and I excel at helping writers find the hearts of their stories. I'll work with you to discover your book's ideal structure and to ensure the book's voice is strong and consistent on the page. My specialty is literary fiction, but that's a genre I define broadly. In my experience, literary fiction can include character-centered speculative and sci-fi works alongside more traditional novels and stories in the realism mode.


With my thoughtful and easy-to-apply editorial advice, I provide the writers I edit with takeaways that not only bring their current projects closer to publication, but that give them a leg up with all of their future projects, as well.


Please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about my process or my experience. I look forward to reading your work!


Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Historical Fiction Literary Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • Radcliffe/Columbia Publishing Course
  • MFA in Fiction from NYU
  • BA in English and Creative Writing from Dartmouth College

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2010 — Present

As a freelance editor and writer, I've worked on projects for major corporations including Scholastic, Pearson Education, and The Verizon Innovative Learning foundation. I've also ghostwritten a book for a major medical professional and helped writers of all ages and experience levels hone their fiction.

On the fiction front, the projects I've edited have included works of literary, historical, contemporary, speculative, and women's fiction.

MFA Program, Butler University

Jan, 2011 — Present

At Butler, I lead graduate-level fiction workshops and craft classes, and also advise MFA theses. I've helped students launch and complete novels and short story collections, coaching them through the process and offering advice on the publishing industry.

Allison has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Daniel G.

Daniel G.

Jul, 2024

Allison was thorough, insightful and very helpful. She was always responsive, attended to all the questions I had about the MS when submitting it to her, gave clear feedback and handled all my follow up questions as well. Thank you, Allison!
Kurt S.

Kurt S.

Apr, 2024

Allison was a fantastic editor for my manuscript; she gave insightful, practical, critical, and productive comments. From our pre-call to the overall notes document to the specific line by line edits and margin commentary, she really understood what I was trying to do and homed in on what is needed to get there via a re-write. While I didn't love some of the comments because of the work I neede...
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Bill K.

Bill K.

Apr, 2024

Working with Allison was a terrific experience. She displayed real interest in my work, and a commitment to improving it. Her input was specific( ie not bs like "I'm not feeling this character") without taking over the story. She understood what I was trying to do and helped me do it better. I have used other editors in the past. Allison is head and shoulders above them.
John W.

John W.

Mar, 2024

I am impressed with Allison’s professionalism, it’s at a high level. Her knowledge and skill is shown through her edits and critique within the and synapses and notes in the post reading of my piece. She pulls no punches or punctuation, and I like that, I now have focus to take my piece to a new ground and completion. John Wade
Virinder G.

Virinder G.

Jan, 2024

Allison gave an honest and helpful critique on my query letter draft. She provided excellent notes on all parts from the introduction statement, hook, explaining the story in a compelling way, and wrapping everything up with facts about myself. I am new to the literary industry, and Allison was eager to answer any questions or worries that I had. I recommend her to anyone who needs help formatt...
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