“I first worked with Erin as a contributor to Scars: An Anthology, and I was impressed that she valued my writing enough to let it shine through the editing process. Our brains seemed to somehow sync. After I got my own book deal, I discovered that my publisher hired freelance editors. I knew Erin would be the perfect editor to bring in to help work on my book, so I crossed my fingers and played matchmaker: it worked! And I’m so glad. I can’t give Erin enough credit—from developmental to final editing, she knew exactly what my story needed, and after about nine months of creative push and pull, she made a brilliant observation that gave my book the beginning I had been searching for, my opening equivalent of Cheryl Strayed’s hiking boot going over the ledge of the PCT in Wild. Erin is a dream editor, one I will always choose if I can.”
“I approached Erin when a trusted & admired writer friend recommended her editing services. ‘I always run my work past Erin before sending it out,’ she said. And I can see why. Erin is quick, has an exacting eye for detail, and a perceptive ear for the underlying themes and motifs of a piece of writing. I found her suggestions and corrections heightened the strengths in my writing, sharpened the impact, and honoured the intent and my voice. She gave just enough direction to make the piece stronger and was able to see what I was trying to do with the structure, offering suggestions that fit. I also know that, if needed, she would probably be able to take a piece down to the foundation and suggest a direction for rebuilding. I highly recommend her services.”
Nancy Huggett’s work has won the American Literary Review’s CNF award and has been published in Citron Review, EVENT, The Forge, Literary Mama, and Prairie Fire.
“If you’re looking for top-notch editing and guidance on the publishing process, look no further than Et Alia. Working with Erin on my first children’s book has been such a delight. Her attention to detail, talent, care, and passion for what she does is quite evident and rare. She challenged me to hone in on my experience as an immigrant, giving the story deeper meaning and purpose. But that's not all. Erin guided me through every stage of the process, from manuscript to revising a query letter and feeling prepared to send them to publishers with confidence. She gently challenges you to take your writing to the next level and see it reach its fullest potential.”
—E. Ballay, author of Tiki Tholley Reads Her Reflection (Iowa)
"As a writer, I have worked with many editors from a diverse range of literary journals and small presses. Some of the editors were pushy, some were pushovers. A few of them acted like they would rather have nothing to do with me. A few would consistently forget my name. But then there’s that rare and special breed of editors who know what they’re doing, who were born to do this. They are the editors who are actually interested in you and your story. Aside from an engaging and helpful conversation I had with Erin about my essay—a conversation that would help to make me think differently about my writing—I have also grown into my writer self while under her guidance and through her expert advisement. When we worked through editing my essay, I was able to be at ease because I could just feel how I was handing my deeply personal essay to an editor who was going to treat it kindly, treat it with respect, and who was determined to improve the ways in which an essay can reach out to the reader. As an editor, I know how difficult it can be to convince a writer that her work is good, that those compliments weren’t fake, but testimonials to the ways in which they supported her work. My experience working with Erin was one that showed me how with the right kind of care and support my writing could thrive. I have become more confident in myself as a writer and editor after I saw how Erin was invested in my success. I felt like my essay was treated with extreme love and excitement."
Chelsey Clammer 's essay, "Cut," appeared in Scars: An Anthology (Et Alia Press, 2015). Chelsey is the author of BodyHome and Circadian. Her work has appeared in Black Warrior Review, The Rumpus, McSweeney’s, Hobart, Essay Daily, and The Water~Stone Review, among more than one hundred other publications. Chelsey received her MFA in Creative Writing from Rainier Writing Workshop.
“Erin was the perfect editor for my memoir. She went above and beyond! Not only did she offer clear, thorough, and helpful suggestions for improving my work, she was also a warm and empathetic reader who boosted my writing confidence. I would recommend her to anyone who needs a quick, careful, and compassionate editing professional.”
—Dr. Leigh Pittenger, author of Confessions of a Bible-Belt Yogi (Louisville, KY)
