Meet The Writer's Ally™
Clarity, Craft, and Compassion for Nonfiction Authors Who Want to Write the Right Book.
A team devoted to helping nonfiction authors write, refine, publish, and market books that truly reflect their expertise.
Note: We also help select fiction and memoir authors.
We Are Your Ally
About Us
The Writer’s Ally
Writing a book is one of the most meaningful and vulnerable things you can do. It brings up doubts, questions, and fears you didn’t expect, even when you’re already successful in your career. You may worry that:
Your writing isn’t strong enough.
You’re not clear enough.
You’re wasting time.
The book you’re working on isn’t the right book.
You're Not Alone
And You Don't Have to Figure This Out by Yourself
At The Writer’s Ally™, we help you turn your ideas into a clear, polished, publishable book, and guide you every step of the way so you always know exactly what to do next.
Our Founder
Ally Machate
The editor who fell in love with books before she could spell her name.
I taught myself to read when I was three years old because I couldn’t wait for someone else to help. My earliest “books” were construction paper stapled together, covered in stories I would later rewrite again and again. Even as a child, I knew books were my world.
That love never faded. It grew into a lifelong commitment to helping authors bring their ideas to life with clarity, integrity, and excellence.
Before founding The Writer's Ally™
This editor spent years working in the publishing industry.
Before founding The Writer’s Ally™, I spent years working inside the publishing industry, including at Simon & Schuster, where I saw firsthand what makes a book succeed and what quietly holds it back. I learned so much from traditional publishing, but I had to set out on my own to empower authors in a way that I saw was missing. For more than 25 years, I’ve helped hundreds of authors strengthen their manuscripts, refine their messages, and publish books they are truly proud to share.
But my work isn’t just about editing pages. It’s about supporting people.
Most experts know their material. What they don’t know is how to turn that expertise into a powerful, well-structured, meaningful book. And that’s where our team comes in, with empathy, clarity, honest guidance, and a process that makes writing feel possible again.
The Thread That Never Went Away
Even as she grew up, one thing remained constant:
I could always see what a book was trying to become.
Friends handed me drafts. Colleagues handed me manuscripts. Writers handed me pages with the same whispered confession: “I don’t know if this is any good.”
And every time, I brought the same gifts I’ve had since childhood: clarity, compassion, and a deep respect for the craft.
This isn’t just a career for me. It’s the thread that’s run through my entire life.
Our Philosophy: Write the Right Book
Many authors spend years writing the wrong book—a book that doesn’t reflect their expertise, doesn’t serve their goals, or doesn’t move readers.
Our mission is to help you avoid that.
Every decision we make, from how we guide your ideas to how we structure your manuscript to how we support your publishing path, is designed to help you create the right book:
Aligned with your purpose
Positioned for your audience
Transformative for your readers
Structured for clarity
Written in your authentic voice
Built to support your business
Your book shouldn’t be a gamble.
It should be a strategic, empowering extension of who you are.
Publishers We Have Worked With
Our Process: The Right Book Method
The Right Book Method
1
Guide
Find Your Focus
Clarify your message, structure, goals, and audience so you begin with confidence instead of confusion.
2
Develop
Strengthen Your Manuscript
Shape your ideas into a cohesive, compelling book with expert developmental support.
Develop
3
Publish
Bring Your Book to Life
Turn your manuscript into a polished, professional book that reflects the quality of your work.
4
Grow
Share Your Message
Create visibility, momentum, and impact long after your book launches to maximize your opportunities.
Develop
What We Believe
Clarity creates confidence.
Authors feel empowered when they finally see what their book is truly about.
Your voice matters.
We strengthen your writing without ever replacing your tone or message.
You don’t have to do this alone.
Books are too big, emotional, and important to navigate without support.
A great book can change your business and your life.
The right book positions you as an authority, attracts opportunities, and expands your impact. There is no better way to leave a legacy.
Why Our Clients Trust Us
Authors tell us they feel:
- relieved after their very first conversation
- seen and supported throughout the process
- grounded knowing they have a guide they can trust
- proud of the book they finally create
- more confident in themselves as authors
“My book would simply never have come to pass without TWA’s ongoing guidance, prodding and advice, and on top of that the quality was vastly improved. As an author I’ve received many compliments on how well written people find my book, and I assure them that it was TWA that made it so polished.”
Patrick Geddes
Author of Transparent Investing
We protect you from the publishing traps.
Predatory publishing packages. Cheap, ineffective editing. Overhyped shortcuts. We’ve seen it all, and we make sure you never fall for it.
“Very helpful, talented, and supportive. I would absolutely recommend The Writer’s Ally™. An innovative and insightful approach to publishing. Not the typical squishy publisher approach!”
Gwen Acton
Author of Leadership for Scientists & Engineers
We help you write the right book, not just any book.
Our nonfiction clients aren’t trying to crank out a draft in a weekend. They care about quality, impact, and alignment with their business and goals.
“I was looking for a quarterback to help me know what calls to make in editing, designing, publishing, and marketing my book, and The Writer’s Ally™ was that quarterback. They were incredibly helpful from start to finish. Since publishing my book, I’ve gotten invitations to speak at Duke and Harvard, I’ve published articles with major publications including The Week and Teen Vogue, and I’ve gotten positive reviews from Kirkus and Publisher’s Weekly.”
Cara Peterson
Author of The Effortless Perfection Myth
We’re a team, not a single editor.
You get access to award-winning editors, former Big Five publisher talent, and experienced book marketers. Your book gets exactly the expertise it needs.
“I’m beyond blown away! One round of feedback from TWA accomplished more than two years of attending writing workshops. I feel much more confident about my writing … I finally have something strong enough to compete in the current marketplace.”
Christopher J. Harris
Author
We align the book with your bigger vision.
Because the “wrong book” wastes your time. The right book transforms your platform.
“I’ve wanted to publish forever. I have all these books on my desktop that I’m so excited about, but I just couldn’t do it. TWA has these amazing packages that are flexible, there were some things I needed and some things I didn’t. The fact that they can do different types of books is wonderful.”
Joanie Strulowitz
Author of Ballad: The Light Follower
Why We Exist
Every author deserves a partner who believes in their message as much as they do.
At The Writer’s Ally™, our work is guided by a simple philosophy:
Books have the power to change minds, open doors, and shift lives. We exist to help authors bring those books into the world with confidence and integrity. Our mission, vision, and values reflect the belief that every meaningful book deserves thoughtful guidance, compassionate support, and editorial excellence.
Vision
We envision a world where authors feel confident, supported, and deeply proud of the books they bring into the world. Our goal is to be the most trusted, human-centered partner for authors, a place where clarity replaces confusion, craft meets purpose, and publishing becomes a joyful, empowering experience. We help authors share their message with integrity, knowing their words can shape conversations, inspire change, and open doors.
Mission
At The Writer’s Ally™, our mission is to empower authors with the clarity, confidence, and support they need to write the right book, one that reflects their expertise, honors their voice, and reaches the readers who need it most. We believe books have the power to transform lives, and our role is to guide authors through the writing and publishing journey with excellence, integrity, and unwavering care.
Core Values
The foundation of every book we help bring into the world.
Clarity
We believe clarity transforms everything. Our role is to help authors see their book, and their message, with fresh eyes so they can write with confidence, purpose, and direction. Clarity replaces confusion, reveals the path forward, and empowers authors to create the right book for their readers.
Care
Writing a book is vulnerable. That’s why we lead with compassion, humanity, and genuine partnership. We create a safe, supportive environment where authors feel encouraged, understood, and guided, never judged. Care is at the center of every conversation, every edit, every decision we make.
Craft
Your book deserves thoughtful attention and professional excellence. We bring decades of publishing experience, editorial rigor, and a deep respect for language to every manuscript. Craft means honoring your voice, elevating your ideas, and helping you produce a book that is marketable and that you’re proud to share.
How Our Values Show Up in Your Experience
When you work with us, you feel the difference
You always know your next step—that’s Clarity.
You feel supported, respected, and understood—that’s Care.
Your book becomes stronger, sharper, and more intentional—that’s Craft.
These values aren’t just statements. They’re the foundation of how we partner with every author.
Who We Serve
Thought leaders, coaches, and consultants
People building authority who want a book that elevates their brand, not one that confuses their audience or damages their credibility.
Purpose-driven entrepreneurs
Individuals with something meaningful to say who want their book to create real impact and support their business. If you’re overwhelmed, stuck, unsure, or terrified of writing the wrong book, you’re in the right place.
Insecure business authors
Experts who know their stuff but are unsure how to turn their ideas into a nonfiction book that’s powerful, polished, and professional.
Note: We also work with select fiction and memoir authors.
Celebrating Our Clients' Award-Winning Success
Our Story
The Writer’s Ally
For more than two decades, beginning as a book editor at Simon & Schuster and continuing through hundreds of collaborations with nonfiction (and fiction) authors, agents, Big Five publishers, and thought leaders, Ally and her team have helped experts transform their ideas into books they’re genuinely proud of.
Books that sound like them.
Books that elevate their credibility.
Books that move readers and move their business forward.
Editorial Team
A small, trusted team of editors, designers, publishing experts, and marketing specialists, hand-selected and personally overseen by Ally.
Harrison Demchick
Developmental Editor
Harrison came up in the world of small press publishing and has worked on more than 80 published novels and memoirs, several of which have been optioned for film. An expert in literary, commercial, and speculative fiction, he is known for writing some of the most detailed editorial letters in the industry.
He is also an author (including The Listeners) and an award-winning screenwriter whose short film The Farmhouse won Best Horror at Austin After Dark.
Melissa Jeglinski
Developmental Editor
With 25+ years of publishing experience, Melissa began her career at Harlequin Enterprises, rising to Senior Editor of one of its most successful romance series. She later transitioned into agenting, expanding her expertise across mystery, women’s fiction, historical, and mainstream fiction.
Her clients’ work includes a Newbery Honor title and multiple USA Today and New York Times bestsellers.
Laura Shovan
Developmental Editor
Laura Shovan is a children’s author, educator, and Pushcart Prize-nominated poet. Her chapbook, Mountain, Log, Salt, and Stone, won the inaugural Harriss Poetry Prize. Her work regularly appears in journals and anthologies for children and adults. Laura’s middle-grade novel-in-verse, The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, won multiple awards, including NCTE Notable Verse Novel. Her novel Takedown was selected for Junior Library Guild, PJ Our Way, and the ALA’s Amelia Bloomer/Rise Feminist Books Project. A Place at the Table, written with author/activist Saadia Faruqi, was named a Sydney Taylor Notable in 2021. Laura is a longtime poet-in-the-schools for the Maryland State Arts Council and serves on the faculty of VCFA’s MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults..
Nora Bellot
Developmental Editor
Formerly of Writers House literary agency, developmental editor Nora Bellot is passionate about great storytelling and has extensive experience with what agents and publishers look for at both the manuscript and query level—and by extension, knows what readers are after as well. She’s equally at home nerding out with authors about fantasy world-building, breaking down the components of an argument in serious nonfiction, or nailing down the character voice for an illustrated bunny in a picture book. A few prominent projects include Kat Howard’s Roses and Rot (Gallery/Saga 2016), James Clear’s New York Times bestselling Atomic Habits (Avery 2018), and Reema Zaman’s I Am Yours (Amberjack 2019).
Ginni Smith
Developmental Editor
Ginni has worked on 800+ books, ranging from high-profile nonfiction titles in business, self-help, and memoir to popular fiction, with private clients and publishers such as BenBella, Amazon, Hallmark Publishing, and Matt Holt. She is a traditionally published author (11 titles) and has ghostwritten both fiction and nonfiction. Her specialty is refining a client’s vision into a polished, expressive, market-ready work.
Emily Rapoport
Developmental Editor
With 20+ years of experience and a background at Berkley/Penguin, Emily is passionate about sharing the best of commercial fiction, including women’s fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, and romance with readers. Emily has edited iconic works by Nora Roberts and Ken Follett.
Her diverse work ranges from Face Value by UK beauty journalist Kathleen Baird-Murray to Sarah Bryant’s historical fiction Sand Daughter and mysteries like the Templar Knight series by Maureen Ash and the Southern Sewing Circle series by Elizabeth Lynn Casey.
Amy Handy
Copyeditor & Proofreader
A professional editor for three decades, Amy has served publishers including John Wiley & Sons, Abbeville Press, and Kensington Publishing. An avid reader, she has also had sideline careers as a theatrical costume and props coordinator and the owner of a paint-your-own pottery studio. When not busy editing, she can be found at her work table creating mixed media resin collages for local art shows.
Julie Haase
Copyeditor & Proofreader
Julie has 30+ years of editing experience and specializes in memoir, literary fiction, short stories, and narrative nonfiction.
She is the author of The CopySitter’s Tips and Tricks for Great (Narrative) Writing and is certified through UC-Berkeley’s editing program. Julie also serves as The Writer’s Ally Online Business Manager & Publishing Manager.
Rich Storrs
Copyeditor & Proofreader
Rich Storrs believes in the Oxford comma, periods inside quotation marks, and one space after all punctuation. After eight years with Spencer Hill Press, he now edits independently for bestselling and award-winning authors across major publishers, including Harlequin, Tor, St. Martin’s, Disney/Hyperion, and Entangled. He is also a middle-school teacher and a dedicated advocate for clear writing.
Karen Stoff
Copyeditor & Proofreader
After 28 years in the military, Karen shifted into creative work, earning an MFA in Creative Writing and publishing two novels. She also completed the Professional Sequence in Editing certificate program from UC Berkeley.
Karen now edits across literary fiction, nonfiction, romance, memoir, thrillers, and historical genres, bringing precision and compassion to every manuscript.
Support Team
Julie Haase
Online Business Manager
With 20 years of project-management experience in the printing industry, Julie ensures every project runs smoothly. As an author and self-publisher herself, Julie brings her wealth of experience, sense of urgency, and belief in constant improvement to help the Writers Ally staff deliver the best possible experience to our clients. Julie welcomes you to The Writers Ally and can’t wait to help you put your best word forward!
Hannah Diedrich
Client Project Manager
A passionate reader with strong organizational instincts, Hannah excels at managing timelines, communication, and the many moving parts of the publishing process. As Project Manager for The Writer’s Ally, Hannah firmly believes in maintaining an exceptional standard of service. She recognizes the importance of keeping all lines of communication readily accessible to empower the best creative process.
In Memoriam
Cecille “Twinkle” Garcia
Customer Care & Project Manager
For six years, Twinkle was the heart of The Writer’s Ally behind the scenes.
She welcomed new writers, supported editors, and ensured every client felt cared for.
It is with great sadness that we said goodbye to Cecille “Twinkle” Garcia. She was taken from us by COVID-19 on May 17, 2021, followed by her husband, Elmer, about a week later on May 25. Their daughter, Sophie, is now under the care of her Aunt and Uncle. If you feel so moved, help support her with a small donation to her family.
Together, we bring decades of combined experience across:
Traditional Publishing
Independent and Hybrid Publishing
Manuscript Evaluation
Book Development
Book Design
Author Platform Building
Book Marketing & Launches
Long-Term Leverage & Strategy
Our role is simple:
To support you, clarify your ideas, elevate your writing, and guide your book to completion. We also help you market and leverage your book, so it grows your reach, authority, and impact long after launch.
A Team Built with Intention
Every editor, designer, consultant, and publishing specialist who works with The Writer’s Ally™ was chosen because they have real industry experience and because they care as much about your book as you do.
Our team combines decades of experience across traditional and independent publishing, but even more importantly, we share a commitment to honesty, kindness, and excellence.
Your book is safe here.
You Don’t Have to Walk This Path Alone
With the right guidance, authors transform:
doubt becomes confidence
overwhelm becomes clarity
messy drafts become powerful books
confusion becomes a clear, guided path
And most importantly: you start to believe in your message again.
That’s the heart of The Writer’s Ally™.