“I had never written a proposal before and knew nothing about the process. Ally’s deep knowledge of the publishing industry was indispensable; she walked me through the entire process from beginning to end. The book that resulted was my first published work. Again, Ally was right there with me the whole time, shaping and developing each section and always keeping the big picture in mind. I’ve worked with other editors in a variety of situations, and the fact is I’d choose to work with Ally every single time.”
—Lauren Manoy, author of Where to Park Your Broomstick
“There is one reason why this book came out as wonderfully as it did, and that reason is Ally Peltier. She is a complete professional and truly gifted at what she does. From the nitty-gritty of editing my introduction to sitting down to explain to me just how the publishing process actually works, Ally was superb.”
—Aaron Karo, author of Ruminations on College Life
“I needed a freelance editor to edit five books in five weeks for a new branded series, an exceptionally challenging task. Ally Peltier, who was recommended to me by a trusted colleague, took on the project, and we are thrilled with the results. Ally not only improved each books’ readability, she created a format for the entire book series that is based on a solid understanding of the series’ market. Her ability to understand and translate our vision to the page was incredible: she organized each book to best present its information to the reader and also line edited the content to convey the desired tone. She identified areas for improvement and explained her modifications to the authors clearly, but gently. She submitted her edits with detailed letters addressing overall concerns and suggested excellent solutions. I’ve already contracted with her to do another five titles, and I look forward to a continued relationship.”
—Shannon Berning, Editor, Kaplan Publishing
“Sometimes it’s so difficult to untangle a scene or put your finger on exactly why something is working or not working—much less explain it to the author. But Ally’s comments and suggestions were all right-on-target. Her kind understanding of my work has been of inestimable value to me. Her interest has simply been to make my work the best it can be. I am certain that her insights have improved my novel and I can’t imagine what I would have done without her guidance.”
—Jane Guill, author of Nectar From a Stone
“Without having Ally to encourage my progress through The Book of Renfield, I don’t know that I ever would have found the courage to confront the shadows that needed confronting to see it through. When it was all piled roughly into shape, her editorial guidance was crucial to shaping what was there. This was an important chapter in my life and personal growth and I thank you, Ally, from my heart, for being there.”
—Tim Lucas, author of The Book of Renfield
“Thank God for Ally. From her days at Simon & Schuster to her now independent work as an editor, she’s been an asset to me in everything from proofreading, editing, notes on story and character, to even helping with the action lines and stage directions. From screenplays to stage plays her work has been both timely and efficient. I highly recommend her as long as she doesn’t get so busy that she doesn’t have time to help me out again!”
—David E. Talbert, bestselling author of Baggage Claim, multiaward-winning playwright, and screenwriter of the movie First Sunday.
“Ally edited my nonfiction book proposal and query letter, as well as some sample chapters. I was somewhat weary of the process by the time she read it and her comments and suggestions were helpful, encouraging and reinvigorating. I picked Ally, somewhat blindly, from a MediaBistro.com listing that impressed me. I’d worked once before with someone and it was a terrible experience, so I was a bit wary. Ally, though, was great. First, she worked very quickly with me on a short deadline. She also was extremely professional about her comments and always had good suggestions that did not change or impose on the style and substance of my writing. I was struggling with too much exposition at one point and her suggestion for a technique to fix it was right on. Her line editing was also extremely helpful. She volunteered several literary agent contacts and provided helpful advice. I would happily recommend her to anyone looking for an editor for their project.”
—Eliza Amon, journalist
“I found Ally at mediabistro.com and hired her to write an outline and synopsis of my novel. She also edited my query letter. At first I was a bit wary of working with someone I met on the Internet, but after two minutes on the phone with her I knew that she was going to be great. She’s extremely articulate and professional and the quality of her work is first rate. She’s the real deal and I would recommend her to anyone.”
—Drew Barry, novelist
“I worked with Ally on a personal essay for a contest that Random House put on, winning publication in their anthology Twentysomething Essays by Twentysomething Writers. I knew the piece had potential, but I also knew that I had no idea how to order it, how to pull it together and make it coherent. Ally was able to do that for me, to point out the ways that I could create the structure and rhythm and make it flow. Ally’s sharp eyes and ears were so key to this project. I couldn’t have done it without her.”
—Lauren Monroe, author of “My Roaring Twenties” from Twentysomething Essays by Twentysomething Writers
“My book proposal attracted the attention of four great agents within the first two months of sending it out and I had to choose between them. The success of my proposal was due in large part to Ally Peltier’s editing. From the first rough draft to the final polishing, Ally took a personal interest in my work and used her insider’s experience to help me avoid the pitfalls that sink good proposals before they ever get off the ground. She gave me the guidance to craft a product that got agents salivating!”
—John A. Zulli, author of The Mind Rules
“As editorial director and managing editor at Hatherleigh Press, I hired Ally as an editor, writer, and project manager for a wide variety of books in the health, self-help, sports, and psychology categories. She was always my first choice for the most difficult or rushed projects. Each project has had a different subject matter, audience, and slant, but in every instance, Ally has understood exactly what the project needed and delivered just the right level of guidance to the authors and to us. But her ability to tailor her editorial and writing skills to a wide variety of books is just one facet of her professionalism. I frequently commented that I wished I could clone her. Ally has a great eye for detail, but also keeps the bigger picture in mind. She has also never missed a deadline, deals calmly and effectively with challenging projects, and is the perfect collaborator. Ally is an absolute find; I wish we had more editors like her we could call on!”
—Andrea Au, Editorial Director, Hatherleigh Press
“It was a pleasure working with Ally in the editing of my short story “Our Lady of the Helicopter.” Ally was professional, responsive and sensitive—and what more can you ask of an editor?”
—Frank S. Joseph, author of the award-winning novel, To Love Mercy
“I’ve worked with Ally several times, most notably as a project editor for an extremely complicated and challenging title (The Complete Book of Paintball, 4th Edition). Her edits were spot-on and I recommend her work highly.”
—Alyssa Smith, Associate Editor, Hearst Books
“Ally Peltier recently edited a piece of my writing that had been accepted into an anthology. She prodded and poked at my musing stubborn soul. ‘I know what you are saying here,’ she proffered, ‘but what were you really thinking right before this happened.’ The final product was something much different than I had ever imagined. By pushing and demanding more from my hidden muse, she brought a new layer of emotion to my piece. There may be many times we secretly wish for an opportunity to have a ‘do-over.’ I am grateful I had the chance to take part in one with Ally.”
—Sherry Bosley, author of “Probable Cause” from New Lines from the Old Line State
“As a contributor to many anthologies, author of a book of short stories, and a fiction editor of a literary journal, I believe I know the tenor of a superb editor when I see one. And Ally Peltier is easy to spot! She shines like the North Star among a myriad stars. Although my short story, “Shanti’s Choice,” had received some prior accolades, Ally saw an opportunity to better the story before publication. Her insights, her gentle but firm probing, her professionalism, integrity, and complete investment in my work, pushed me to become a better writer. What more could I, or any writer, ask for?”
—Lalita Noronha, author of Title: Where Monsoons Cry: Stories
“I had received wonderful reviews of Ally’s work at Harcourt, before our two companies
merged. I contacted her to create [reading group] guides based on these. She lives up to all the acclaim, and then some. She is a talented writer who consistently creates top rate guides for us on a regular, timely basis. Her finished work is praised by our authors, editors, booksellers, and consumers—her discussion questions provide insightful, conversation-starting analysis for a wide range of book subjects. She is trustworthy, incredibly punctual, and has made a large impact on the sales of our paperback list. I heartily recommend Ally and her Ambitious Enterprises for any sort of editorial project.”
—Carla Gray, Associate Director of Marketing, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
“I just got finished reading over the nonfiction book proposal that Ally wrote and the sample chapter she edited, and I was exceptionally happy with them. She really outdid herself. I’m extremely happy with the material and ready to start sending it out to publishers and editors. I barely EVER am satisfied with a first draft proposal, so this is really a pleasure.”
—Jaimee Garbacik, Acquisitions Editor, The Literary Group International
“Ally is a strong ghostwriter and editor who lets her clients look like heroes while she labors behind the scenes. Ally wrote an illustrated book that I edited, and she made my task easy by offering countless insights and suggestions on how the visual and written aspects of the book might be best integrated. She’s also a deadline hawk!”
—Lisa Campbell, Associate Editor, Chronicle Books
“Ally is a fantastic freelancer. She produces quality work, is organized, and has never missed a deadline. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that Ally is also both exceptionally friendly and honest—two traits which make her a pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Ally to anyone in the publishing world seeking a freelancer.”
—John Mercun, Coordinator, Simon & Schuster – Digital Group
“We selected Ally out of numerous writers to develop and write our book proposal, which interested several publishers in our project. We ultimately signed with Chronicle Books. We now look forward to working with Ally as our writer on the book itself. Her writing style and experience are invaluable.”
—Ron Woodson & Jaime Rummerfield, authors of High Style (Chronicle Books, 10/08)
“Ally is a reliable writer and a pleasure to work with. She is always conscientious about meeting deadlines and fulfilling writing guidelines, and she ensures that both content and prose match the tone, level, and many specific requirements our projects entail. She has always been professional and dedicated to her work through the entire writing and revision process.”
—Margo Orlando, Associate Editor, SparkNotes
“Ally is a pleasure to work with. She is a great collaborator and brings a fresh, professional touch to a project. She is able to take an idea and flesh it out to create interesting copy that not only fits within the correct size limitations, but also conveys the right feeling for the subject matter.”
—Leanna Weller Smith, Graphic Designer and Project Coordinator
“Ally’s editorial skills helped us to say more clearly what we intended to say. Her suggestions about structure, pacing, and focus were extremely useful.”
—Steve and Melanie Tem, authors of The Man on the Ceiling
“I hired Ally to do an appraisal of my manuscript for a novel and I couldn’t have been happier. Her work was thorough and extremely helpful. She does not make “cookie cutter” suggestions; moreover, she has the innate ability to assume the voice of her author, thus her ideas for improving the manuscript were all in line with my intended tone. Furthermore, her recollection and understanding of my work was very impressive. Her ability to cite events and story lines weeks after reading gave me the confidence that she took this consultation very seriously. I fully recommend her work and plan on using her services again in the very near future.”
—Michael Blitzer, novelist
“Ally can be trusted to handle all your editorial needs, from unraveling awkward sentences to streamlining the storyline to intensifying the plot. While she possesses a sharp-eye for detail, she never misses the bigger-picture items. Working with Ally has been a joy. Not only is she professional, she’s flexible, trustworthy, and always willing to offer advice. I incorporated several of her suggestion after a Manuscript Consultation and have a better manuscript because of it!”
—Cara Frazier, novelist
“Having always written on assignment or submitted fiction or essays to venues I knew, when I decided to offer an essay on writing to the Writer’s Journal, I had no idea how to write a query letter. That matters a great deal—I knew that. Ally read my draft and suggested major changes, which I made. It worked! I sold the article, and got paid. When you want to know something about the writing trade, Ally is the one to go to!”
—Carter Jefferson, freelance writer and editor of The Internet Review of Books
“In our phone consultation, Ally explained many intricacies of the publishing process and industry and provided invaluable insight on the important relationships between editors, agents, and writers. I’m confident that her input will contribute greatly to the success of our website for writers. I look forward to consulting with her again in the future.”
—Shravan Kambam, website developer
“I think any great coach should be able to clearly identify strengths and weaknesses to help you reach your full potential. This is exactly what Ally Peltier has done for me. When I came to Ally I had a lot of ideas but was struggling to translate them into a cohesive book. Ally helped me in many ways: outlining, brainstorming, editing, insider advice about the publishing industry, and, most importantly, she encouraged me when I needed encouragement and pushed me when I needed a swift kick to get motivated. Ally creates a safe space to share your work and delivers the perfect blend of honest criticism with heartfelt compassion. I recommend her services highly.”
—Laura Cannon, wedding officiant, life transformation coach [www.divinetransformation.com]
“Despite the fact that I’m a professional writer, when I began work on my first book, I found myself in that awkward and frustrating place most writers inevitably find themselves—stuck. Worse than that, my words were devoid of flavor and substance. My brain was crying. And when I reached out for help, as many writers are often too stubborn to do, I fell into the warm arms of a fantastic coach. Ally’s experience in the publishing industry is more than a little impressive, and when you speak with her, she is warm and approachable. A bonus for someone who has earned the right to brag about her credentials, but remains perfectly humble.
Ally has a way of coaxing the thoughts right out of your heart. I’ve worked with plenty of editors, but haven’t met any that resonate with me so succinctly. She was right on target with my mission. In fact, she was several steps ahead and could pull me in closer when I was flailing about. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with someone as professional, creative and focused as Ally. I hope I don’t go into another word coma, but if I do, she’s the first one I’ll call to bring me back to life.”
—Stefanie Ellis, journalist and food writer
“Ally, your program tonight was GREAT, and very timely for me. You’ve probably guessed that I have been confused whether to include my academic credentials in my proposal or not. It’s all so complicated. So much to do, so little time. Thanks again. You are one of the few MWA members with serious expertise to share who is willing to actually share.”
—Lauren (Reisterstown, MD)
“Ally is an excellent instructor; she knows her subject (writing for profit – to be published) and conveys this knowledge to her students. Because of her incredible energy and creativity, Ally is a known quantity, and students sign up for classes with her name as instructor. She has made an outstanding difference in the Writers’ Workshop program here at AACC. Ally is a treasure!”
—Pattie Nolton, Assistant Director Lifelong Learning, Anne Arundel Community College
“I really enjoyed Writing and Marketing Freelance Articles. In every class I learned something new and helpful. Ally did a great job of distilling all the information out there and presenting it in a useful format. She explained the nuances of the business and how to navigate the traps and pitfalls. Her upbeat, positive attitude encouraged us and made us believe that getting published is possible! She is an excellent teacher and mentor for the fledgling writer who is trying to break into this market.”
—Susan (Ellicott City, MD)
“Ally’s Writing and Marketing Freelance Articles offers rapid-fire information and the opportunity to create an article, which she and class members critique. Her relaxed personality makes absorbing the excellent course content surprisingly painless. I highly recommend this course! Four out of four stars.”
—Claire Ferguson, author of the Ozzie and Gold Ink Award winning book, Helaman Ferguson: Mathematics in Stone and Bronze
