“Alexandra Shelley has an uncanny ability to immediately see a work’s essence, and I think that’s because she sees its author’s essence. I will forever be grateful for her x-ray vision into the heart of my memoir, and her willingness to gently argue with me when I was quite obviously wrong. I don't even want to imagine what the writing process would've been like without her voice in my ear, or what kind of shape my book would've taken without her expert guidance. “

— Simone Gorrindo
Author, The Wives (Simon & Schuster)

“I first met Alexandra as a student in one of her classes at The New School in the early ‘90s. I wrote a short story in that class that ultimately inspired my first novel, The Tobacco Wives. What I appreciate most about Alexandra is not only her keen eye and invaluable guidance as an editor, but also her ability to inspire the best in her clients.”

— Adele Myers
Author, The Tobacco Wives (HarperCollins)

“Alexandra combines rare talents: She offers the technical insights of an experienced editor and the wisdom of a thoughtful reader. She also has the patience of a saint.”

— Joshua Max Feldman
Author, Start Without Me (William Morrow)

“Working with Alexandra is like Navy SEALs training for writers. But if you apply, are accepted, and persevere? You'll find yourself writing at an entirely different level…. It's no wonder Alexandra has been the top choice of so many publishers, editors and authors—and has humbly, quietly orchestrated some of the finest books of the past 30 years.”

— Eric Lindner
Author, Tiger in the Sea: The Ditching of Flight 923 (Lyons Press)

“I worked with Alexandra on my seventh book, but my first historical novel and wish I had discovered her sooner. It is no overstatement to say she is simply a genius at what she does. There is no way my book would have gone to auction and sold so quickly if I hadn't worked with Alexandra.”

— Jennifer Coburn
Author, Cradles of the Reich (Sourcebooks, 2022)

“It has been a pleasure to work with Alexandra Shelley. She has a keen editorial mind and has helped me by asking questions about my characters and their situations. Sometimes I might not want to hear the questions but they are in service of making my stories deeper and richer. My thanks to her for seeing things I missed and for her generosity of spirit!”

— Bonnie Glover
Author, Going Down South (One World/Penguin Random House) and The Middle Sister (One World/Penguin Random House)

“Alexandra has been my muse, teaching me how to improve my writing, challenging me to be honest and authentic, and giving me the courage to address some of the most difficult aspects of writing my books. What drew me to Alexandra initially was her willingness to share my excitement and passion for the story I needed to tell…. Her expertise and coaching allowed me to succeed at doing that.”

— Jo Ivester
Author, The Outskirts of Hope (She Writes Press) and Once a Girl, Always a Boy (She Writes Press)

“Alexandra Shelley’s editorial process is impressive and rare: it’s as exciting as it is exacting. She is incisive, asks the important and right questions that encourage an author to move ahead with understanding and much-needed momentum. With her good humor and wit, she makes the process of developing a book entertaining…. But most importantly, her alchemical process makes good works great.”

— Laurie Fox
Agent, Linda Chester Literary Agency, Author, The Lost Girls (Simon and Schuster) and My Sister from the Black Lagoon (Simon and Schuster)

“Alexandra Shelley, without doubt, got my novel from patchy draft to a publishable manuscript which went to a three-way auction within days of being submitted to British editors. She is the most incisive, encouraging, and imaginative editor I’ve ever worked with… showed me how to inject tension, lighten the gloom, successfully hand off points of view, and most of all deepen the manuscript so that I had a cast of characters who were worth caring about.”

— Susie Steiner
Author, Homecoming (Faber & Faber) and Missing, Presumed (HarperCollins)

“With humor, grace, and a fine critical eye, Alexandra tackled (and improved) every aspect of my manuscript: structure, pacing, characterization, and trimming the "fat." She's also a pleasure to work with—as kind and encouraging as she is brilliant—and I wouldn't hesitate to hire her again.”

— Karen Abbott
Author, Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War (HarperCollins)

“For my third novel I decided to learn how to do it the right way! Alexandra Shelley asks the tough questions about character, plot, location, pacing, and point. With gentle encouragement, unflinching honesty, and deft tips, she enabled me to live up to my own promise. More importantly, she helped me do right by a great American hero.”

— Elizabeth A. Cobbs, Ph.D.
Author, The Tubman Command (Arcade Publishing) and Fearless Women (Harvard University Press)

“Alexandra has an uncanny ability to see the good in a manuscript. My book wouldn't have been acquired so quickly or become a New York Times bestseller without her.”

— Martha Hall Kelly
Author, Lilac Girls and Lost Roses (Ballantine Books)

“Alexandra Shelley worked for Bridge Works Publishing for 10 years as a fiction editor and Deputy Editorial Director. It is axiomatic that a good editor get the best results from a writer…. Alexandra was a topnotch example of that -- patient but firm, understanding but intuitive about how to make improvements. The resulting titles reveal her magic touch.”

— Barbara Phillips
Editorial Director, Bridge Works Publishing Co.

“What I loved most about working with Alexandra was how she innately understood the subject matter. With her keen eye, she helped me to restructure the manuscript, adding layers of historical and character detail while patiently guiding me to the finish line.”

— Kathleen Grissom
Author, Crow Mary, Simon & Schuster

“From the first chapters of the novel, she helped me believe I could produce a publishable book, and after I’d finally written the last chapter, she convinced me I HAD done it and shooed me in the direction of the agent who took it on. I am so thankful that I found a mentor who shares my passion for bringing the truth of fiction into the world.”

— Kathryn Stockett
Author, The Help, Amy Einhorn/Penguin

“Alexandra Shelley is the freelance editor I have turned to for help for over a decade. She has worked closely with many of our authors and every time she has stepped in, she has worked her magic and vastly improved every manuscript she touched. She is a true pro.”

—Jed Lyons
President and CEO, The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group, Inc.

“At every stage, she was rigorous, yet supportive, warm and encouraging. I found it an exhilarating and even thrilling experience to work with her and her suggestions for the manuscript improved it immeasurably. I recommend Alexandra with the most lavish praise and gratitude, and I strongly encourage all writers serious about bringing their work to the next level to hire her without delay.”

— Kitty Zeldis
Author, Not Our Kind, HarperCollins