Aly Owen

Aly Owen – Editor

Food, travel, literary + YA fiction, and mental health editor. Worked at SAGE, Phaidon, TripSavvy, Narrative Magazine, and Red Hen Press.

Overview

I’m a versatile editor, copywriter, and publishing professional with over 14 years of experience commissioning, editing, managing, and publishing content. With a proven track record of adapting to new styles and target audiences quickly, I have produced content for literary magazines and fiction publishers (short stories, poetry collections, and novels), scholarly and nonfiction publishers (cookbooks, social science textbooks, mental health and psychology books, newspapers, and travel/leisure features), and digital outlets (apps, websites, blogs, and social media). While I am comfortable working in any genre, my expertise includes:


- Young adult, new adult, & literary fiction (ex. my own award-winning realistic fiction, Parnucklian for Chocolate)

- Food, wine, and travel (ex. feature stories for TripSavvy, The Nordic Cookbook)

- Psychology and mental health (ex. Lyra, Doing Qualitative Research in Psychology)

- Poetry (ex. my own award-winning poems, Chopper! Chopper! Poetry for Bordered Lives)


Other particular areas of interest and market knowledge include humor and psychological thrillers.


I grew up in the equestrian world, and I see my editing style as similar to the dynamic between horse and rider: I work to establish a partnership grounded in trust and mutual respect that offers steering and guidance to bring out the best of your skills and individual voice. Whether you need to keep momentum, trim the fat, or find that little bit of magic to pull it all together, I use the needs of your project and target audience as well as my knowledge of successful craft and the market to structure my approach.


I am equally comfortable digging through the weeds as I am looking across an entire field: I thrive in doing surgical deep-dives into grammar as well as broader paint strokes across plots. Whatever level of editing you require, I want our experience to be a dialogue that can flex and adjust as needed along the way while working not only to shape this particular project, but also improve your writing overall and give you the tools and confidence to continue refining your brand.


My experience on both the author and the editor side of the publishing industry gives me a unique perspective on the challenges authors face and the desires publishers have—and how to accommodate those in a happy partnership of which you both can be proud.


Testimonial:


“Aly’s thoroughness and commitment to me as an author has been pivotal in the production of meaningful texts that we can both be proud of. [Her] consummate professionalism, endless patience and boundless emotional intelligence made the tentative steps worthwhile. […] She is the encapsulation of an ‘ideal’ commissioning editor, and I wouldn’t consider working with anyone else.” Dr. Robert Thomas, author

Services
Fiction
Contemporary Fiction Humor & Comedy Literary Fiction New Adult Poetry Short Story
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits Psychology
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • Editor for SAGE Product of the Year Nominee
  • Editor for Most Promising New Textbook Winner
  • Editor for British Book Design and Production Shortlist Nominee
  • Beau Bordeaux Poetry Scholarship
  • First Place Behavioral Sciences at the International Science and Engineering Fair
  • Scholastic Art and Writing Awards
Certifications
  • MA in Publishing
  • BA in Creative Writing and Psychology

Work experience

Self-employed

Oct, 2021 — Present

Provide editorial services and support (from initial idea through to publication), write features articles for a variety of publication outlets, and develop copy, promotional materials, and creative strategy for brands.

SAGE Publications

Sep, 2015 — Oct, 2021 (about 6 years)

Recruit and provide creative development support to new authors and editorial talent on the Research Methods list (across social sciences and humanities).

Phaidon Press

Nov, 2014 — Jul, 2015 (8 months)

Write app-based copy and assist in designing mobile apps for Wallpaper* City Guides and Where Chefs Eat, and typeset, and proofread Phaidon cookbooks.

Jiwar Creation and Society (Barcelona) and Takt Kunstprojektraum (Berlin)

Sep, 2013 — Jan, 2014 (4 months)

Application-only artist in residence programs where I wrote a novel, hosted public readings and exhibitions, and continued to build a network with local and international artists and publishers.

Red Hen Press

Sep, 2012 — May, 2013 (8 months)

Editorial: correspond with authors; prepare manuscripts; evaluate submissions; write reader reports

Design: typeset fiction and poetry books; perform galley, pre-flight, and cover proof checks

Marketing: create adverts, flyers, and graphics; attend selected events and conferences as a brand ambassador

Narrative Magazine

Aug, 2012 — Mar, 2018 (over 5 years)

Evaluate and edit fiction and poetry submissions and recommend for publication or rejection

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Song for Chance

Van Kirk, John

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
The Lust of It All

Moran, Stephanie

Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Lyra

Franchini, Emily

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Proofreading
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment Book Coaching
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Editorial Assessment Proofreading
Interrobang

Piazza, Jessica

Editorial Assessment Proofreading
The Nordic Cookbook

Nilsson, Magnus

Proofreading

Aly has 72 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

ashley W.

ashley W.

Sep, 2024

This is my first publication and my first time using Reedsy, so I was quite nervous about the entire process! Aly went above and beyond in not only editing my manuscript, but also in giving guidance (with book development) outside of what was asked for. She also gave productive and constructive feedback in addition to highlighting certain parts of the manuscript she liked, which I really appre...
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Aimee S.

Aimee S.

Sep, 2024

Aly was so easy to work with and so patient and sweet! This was my first time working with an editor on Reedsy and I didn't know my way around, and she helped me a lot. She is very smart and provided examples in my own work, how I can fix it, and more! I can't wait to work with her again!
Kimberly B.

Kimberly B.

Jul, 2024

Aly continues to amaze me with her insight. I have received feedback in areas of this project that I hadn't noticed myself despite stepping away from it for a period of time. Aly's eyes pick up everything. She makes my work stronger and me, as a writer, more confident.
David A.

David A.

Jun, 2024

Aly was professional, responsive, thorough and provided excellent constructive feedback.
Jonathan K.

Jonathan K.

Jun, 2024

Aly did two jobs for me on the same work. First, a copy edit, and second, a sensitivity check/audit. The copy edit was thorough and highlighted corrections that were very helpful. I think I accepted almost everything, and there were a lot! Regarding the sensitivity check, she was also superb. She went through my mental health memoir with great attention to detail, thoughtfulness and much-welcom...
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