About
Are you a fantasy, sci-fi, YA or speculative fiction author wanting to really craft your manuscript into an engaging narrative?
Does your novel just need a little nudge in the right direction to really make it sing?
Hi there!
I’m Alexandra Dawning, and I’m here to help your writing really shine.
Experience
I started out over 12 years ago, interning for the Little, Brown Book Group in London. I spent most of my time working with their sci-fi and fantasy imprint, Orbit and their YA imprint, Atom. Since then, I have worked as an assistant editor at a scientific journal, been a content editor at a healthcare organisation and I’m currently living the dream, working with fiction authors on a freelance basis, helping them craft their work into the book they see in their head.
Qualifications
I have an undergraduate degree in English Literature and French, and a masters degree in English Literature from the University of Leeds, where I wrote my dissertation about the influence of folklore and fairy tale on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream (still some of my favourite topics to read about!).
In addition to my in-house editorial experience, I have an editing qualification from the Publishing Training Centre.
I’m also a Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and I abide by their Code of Practice. I am also a Partner Member of ALLi and have been vetted by them to ensure I comply with their standards.
Continuing Professional Development
I’m never not learning. It’s vital that editors regularly brush up their skills and refresh their knowledge. This is something I take very seriously. Plus, it’s just good fun! Here are a few of the courses I’ve taken:
Developmental Editing In Practice (Liminal Pages)
Developmental Editing: In Theory (Liminal Pages)
Online Copywriting (College of Media and Publishing)
The Visible Editor (Liminal Pages)
Developmental Editing of Fiction, Intermediate (Editorial Freelancers Association)
Developmental Editing of Fiction, Beginning (Editorial Freelancers Association)
How to Master the Art of Press Releases (OJ PR Academy)
Introduction to Adobe InDesign (WebStudio Training)
Brush Up Your Grammar (Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading)
Copy-Editing by Distance Learning (Publishing Training Centre)
Interests
When I’m not editing, you’ll most likely find me writing. My current work in progress is a YA fantasy novel involving a reluctant, world-hopping archaeology student, hidden temples, a slow burn romance and a millennia-old secret. Feel free to ask me about it if you fancy getting your ear talked off about world-building and emotional character arcs.
I’m also always reading for fun (in my experience people generally become editors because they LOVE reading)! My genres of choice are generally fantasy, sci-fi and dystopian novels, as well as pretty much YA anything. Add me on Instagram if you want to geek out about YA series with me.
Away from the written word, I love to sew my own clothes and knit ridiculously cute jumpers for my toddler (who tolerates them). I enjoy kickboxing and yoga to try to keep fit but I can often be found ruining my efforts in the evening by drinking obscure craft beers and playing on the Xbox.
Interested?
Click below to find out more about my editorial services.