“Allison is an exceptional editor, working with her has been enlightening and uplifting. Developing a first draft is so immersive and after this process the work can become tedious and murky. Part way into our first meeting I became reinvigorated with my words, paragraphs, and chapters. Allison found actionable items for me to develop and provided unique resources that expanded my viewpoint and skills. Her insights enabled me to clarify my characters, settings and story. She put into focus my entire plot while also highlighting small key moments in the story to make it more compelling. Allison can breathe life into your book while positively challenging you to keep doing the work. I highly recommend her services.” —Mike Anderson, author of Monster’s Boy
“Writers get needy, especially when developing a new project. We need a balance of encouragement and analysis delivered with practical recommendations. What we need most is an advocate for our future readers, who will help us do right by them. Allison Fairhurst exceeded my expectations as an insightful editor who provided me with both actionable advice and targeted tools I could apply to fine-tune my novel. Through her careful reading, she asked perceptive and nuanced questions that enhanced my plot. Her love of story-craft shines through her critique, as does her sensitivity to what feels authentic for you. While Story Grid provides a valuable frame of reference, Allison avoids the pitfall of force-fitting your work into a formula. Her goodwill toward your project is energizing.” —Bridget Shanahan, author of No Gifts, Please
No Gifts, Please: Shanahan, Bridget: 9781958878248: Amazon.com: Books
“Allison Fairhurst is a truly gifted editor. As a first-timer working on a novel, I have appreciated her methodical approach, tempered by true creativity. She is patient, challenging, encouraging, organized, thorough, thoughtful, and inspiring. She helps me work through plot and theme without imposing or messing with my intentions. Her suggestions never feel like criticism and her critical approach always feels constructive. Every session is imbued with her wit and wisdom. I cannot recommend her highly enough.” —Lisa Hedley, author of Both Things Are True
“There’s no greater death sentence for your project than wading into the uncertain waters of story structure without a guide. I never would have finished my first book if I hadn’t reached out to Allison. I had most of the puzzle pieces of my story, but not the skills to put them together. In less than a year Allison took me from a hobbyist with 20,000 words of a first draft, to a professional with a polished manuscript. If you feel lost at sea with your project like I did, send out a flare.” —Matthew Farmer, author of Rings of Saturn
“Working with Allison has given me much-needed clarity in my current draft. She is able to focus on elements of plot and character that I would not have been able to see for myself and has pushed me farther in developing my skills than I ever thought possible. Her feedback has been targeted, relevant, and enormously helpful. She has definitely gone above and beyond my expectation of working with an editor. Allison is insightful, knowledgeable, and great to work with. I highly recommend her.” —Julia Blair, SGCE & writer, The Dharklands
“Respectful, generous, and honest, that’s Allison in three words—taken from a long list of praise. She has this amazing way of helping me get my writing to that sweet spot where what I’m trying to say clicks into focus. Our discussions were enlivening and she gave me tools that I still use today. She gets it. She loves it. Yes, I do wholeheartedly recommend her.” —Rose Maloukis, award winning poet
“I can’t wait to work with Allison again. The best thing about working with her is her facility in grasping the heart of the story despite whatever structural or even linguistic flops there might be. Her process is methodical but her approach to the work is flexible. I came out of our initial meetings with a very clear sense of how to improve my work; but mostly, I love working with her because it makes me believe in my work again. Speaking with Allison about the core of my story reminded me what I’m doing it for.” —Keiran Gibbs, author of Under the Red Rock
Allison Fairhurst 