Testimonials
Satisfied customers are our top priority ... but you don't have to take our word for it! Keep reading to see what our clients are saying about us. You can also check out Alissa's CV and Portfolio for more on her experience and qualifications, including current corporate clients. Want to leave feedback about your own experience working with Red Pen for Rent? Fill out our Client Feedback Form!
"Red Pen for Rent, where have you been all of my writing life? Alissa helped me take my self-help guide for women, The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love, to another level. As an advice columnist, empowerment coach, and motivational speaker, I am in the business of helping others to live up to their full potential.
That is exactly what Alissa and her team did for my book. She is a masterful guide and courageous editor who helped me cut my book almost in half to get to what will serve my readers the most. My objective is to be of service and I can't do that if the lessons I have to share are lost. I originally had 2 or 3 books in one until Alissa skillfully wielded her 'red pen.'
I am so grateful that this company exists and plan to work with Alissa for a long time."
–Abiola Abrams, Author of The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love and Dare
Services provided: Developmental Editing, Copyediting
That is exactly what Alissa and her team did for my book. She is a masterful guide and courageous editor who helped me cut my book almost in half to get to what will serve my readers the most. My objective is to be of service and I can't do that if the lessons I have to share are lost. I originally had 2 or 3 books in one until Alissa skillfully wielded her 'red pen.'
I am so grateful that this company exists and plan to work with Alissa for a long time."
–Abiola Abrams, Author of The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love and Dare
Services provided: Developmental Editing, Copyediting
Working with Alissa, I am amazed to see how many tiny details she notices that no other editor has ever commented on before. She has a genuine talent for pointing out problem areas (and explaining WHY they are problems), as well as offering creative solutions. Her feedback and editing have proven educational, encouraging, and inspiring. I look forward to working with RPFR on several other projects in the near future. Thank you!
–Derek E. Ladd, Author (multiple genres)
Services provided: The First Date, Copyediting
–Derek E. Ladd, Author (multiple genres)
Services provided: The First Date, Copyediting
"I was first impressed with the Manuscript Critique; Alissa was able to fill in the missing pieces and provide consistency where other editors could not. I found the service professional, timely, and personal.
The experience has been all positive, and when next my writing efforts calls for experts, or I'm asked for a recommendation, you will get a call."
–Franklyn Jones, Author of At the Rainbow's Very End
Services provided: The First Date, Substantive Editing, Proofreading
The experience has been all positive, and when next my writing efforts calls for experts, or I'm asked for a recommendation, you will get a call."
–Franklyn Jones, Author of At the Rainbow's Very End
Services provided: The First Date, Substantive Editing, Proofreading
"Despite what trepidation I approached having my work edited for the first time with, Alissa proved to be quite approachable, understanding the intent of my story while shaving away exhausting passages and unintentional redundancies that kept it from being its best.
Even after the main process was done, she was available to help clarify meaning behind her edits and discuss questionable segments to help line them up with the spirit of the work. Her perspective helped bring about a number of smaller changes, a few larger ones, and my novel is all the better for it."
–Lucas Paynter, Author of Outcasts of the Worlds
Services provided: Copyediting, Proofreading, Book Interior Formatting
Even after the main process was done, she was available to help clarify meaning behind her edits and discuss questionable segments to help line them up with the spirit of the work. Her perspective helped bring about a number of smaller changes, a few larger ones, and my novel is all the better for it."
–Lucas Paynter, Author of Outcasts of the Worlds
Services provided: Copyediting, Proofreading, Book Interior Formatting
"An extra special thank you to Alissa McGowan and Red Pen for Rent for completing the editing of this book and making it a much better story. She worked at warp speed to help get the new finished product out quickly for everyone to enjoy and did a fantastic job.
Her editing is nothing less than amazing. She truly brought the novel from good to great to even better."
–N.J. Danner, Author of Tragically Broken
Service provided: Substantive Editing
Her editing is nothing less than amazing. She truly brought the novel from good to great to even better."
–N.J. Danner, Author of Tragically Broken
Service provided: Substantive Editing
"After working with Alissa on my manuscript, I discovered several serious issues that needed to be hashed out before taking my work on to the next level. She is a master at her craft and will take your book from good to great! I highly recommend Red Pen for Rent to anyone who needs an expertly skilled and professional editor. And who doesn't?"
–Jason G., Author (sci-fi)
Service provided: Developmental Editing
–Jason G., Author (sci-fi)
Service provided: Developmental Editing
"I worked with Alissa and I thought she was outstanding! I have never had any professional writing training. I never attended any writer's conventions, and I almost failed out of English class in school. However, she was able to sort through my work and find the truth. I will have to admit that the truth can be painful at times but if you are truly honest with yourself and seek to create the best work that you can, YOU NEED IT! It turns out that what I thought was a novel was actually more "notes" about my story than an actual story. I found her advice helpful and will use a lot of it. In the end, I may not be the next Stephen King; however, I believe she gave me the tools I needed to become the best Stephen King I can be."
–SFC Kristina Smith, Author (fiction)*
Service provided: Manuscript Critique
*SFC Smith is the co-author of The Ultimate Deployment Guidebook; Red Pen for Rent was not associated with that project.
–SFC Kristina Smith, Author (fiction)*
Service provided: Manuscript Critique
*SFC Smith is the co-author of The Ultimate Deployment Guidebook; Red Pen for Rent was not associated with that project.
"I was very pleased with Alissa's careful attention to detail as she read my book manuscript. She cut out extraneous words like a professional chef cuts veggies: quickly, sharply, and efficiently."
–Dr. Lynne A. Isbell, Author of The Fruit, the Tree, and the Serpent: Why We See So Well (nonfiction, anthropology)
Service provided: Substantive Editing
"Alissa is AMAZING. Her Manuscript Critique completely opened up my eyes to what needs fixing! Before, I knew my manuscript needed work, but I didn't know where to start. Thanks to Alissa, I now know exactly what I need to do."
–Author (YA fantasy)
Service Provided: Manuscript Critique
–Author (YA fantasy)
Service Provided: Manuscript Critique
"Alissa did a great job critiquing my manuscript. She provided meaningful and detailed feedback. She responded immediately to email and finished my critique ahead of schedule. Her comments and feedback have renewed my excitement for completing my project."
"The attention to detail was astounding. The edits and comments were insightful and presented in an easy to digest format. I hope to have Alissa read all my future work."
–Justin Robertson, Author (speculative fiction)
Services provided: Manuscript Critique, Copyediting
"The attention to detail was astounding. The edits and comments were insightful and presented in an easy to digest format. I hope to have Alissa read all my future work."
–Justin Robertson, Author (speculative fiction)
Services provided: Manuscript Critique, Copyediting
"I was flinching and braced for some vague ego-bruising, but instead found your approach to some badly needed criticism as gentle as could be (now I'm worrying about that hyphen). Truly, I can't thank you enough for giving so much time and constructive feedback. I'm now approaching my story with a clear perspective and new vigor."
–J.D. Billet, Author (speculative fiction)
Service provided: Manuscript Critique
–J.D. Billet, Author (speculative fiction)
Service provided: Manuscript Critique
"I had a great experience working with Alissa. She was prompt in her response to my questions, knowledgeable, and offered additional resources to guide me through the developmental process. I would recommend her to any writer looking for an editor."
–Serrene Turpin, Author (speculative fiction)
Service provided: Developmental Editing
–Serrene Turpin, Author (speculative fiction)
Service provided: Developmental Editing
"Alissa McGowan has edited several chapters for me in my science-fiction/fantasy and murder mystery manuscripts. She has also edited several chapters of my children's picture book manuscripts.
In every case she was professional and diligent. There is not one manuscript I can point to that was not improved by her editing and insight. I intend to have her edit all my manuscripts before they go to the publisher."
–Kathleen Kunkler, Author (speculative fiction and children's literature)
Service provided: Substantive Editing
In every case she was professional and diligent. There is not one manuscript I can point to that was not improved by her editing and insight. I intend to have her edit all my manuscripts before they go to the publisher."
–Kathleen Kunkler, Author (speculative fiction and children's literature)
Service provided: Substantive Editing
"Alissa is very talented. She maintained my work and voice, and yet put magic into it. When I submitted my first draft it got bad reviews, but when she worked on it everyone enjoyed it.
She managed to bring out every emotion and thought that I myself couldn't put into words. She understood my characters as much as I did. She understood what I wanted to say.
All in all, I was really happy with the finished work."
–MGM Villar, Author of It's Him (chick lit)
Services provided: Co-writing, Proofreading
She managed to bring out every emotion and thought that I myself couldn't put into words. She understood my characters as much as I did. She understood what I wanted to say.
All in all, I was really happy with the finished work."
–MGM Villar, Author of It's Him (chick lit)
Services provided: Co-writing, Proofreading