Services

I work with individuals, groups, and organizations that want their publications and communications to be conscious and anti-oppressive with regards to race, class, sexuality, gender, ability, age, body size, religion, nationality, and more. Scroll down or click the buttons below to learn more about the services I currently offer.

Interested in chatting with me about a project, or want a quote? Contact me!

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Speaking & Training

I regularly offer custom-designed talks, presentations, and trainings for groups and organizations that are interested in deepening their awareness and skills related to inclusive language, on topics such as:

• The Art and Style of Conscious Language
• Editing for Inclusion
• Countering Sexism and Transphobia in Language
• Engaging in Difficult Conversations

I’ve provided trainings to editors’ associations, presses and academic journals, publishing networks, museums and cultural institutions, colleges and universities, healthcare providers, media companies, foundations and nonprofits, and more. Past clients include:

TESTIMONIALS

“After our two sessions with Alex, staff members walked away feeling empowered to make decisions based on context, to respectfully and clearly engage in dialogue with colleagues and clients, and to minimize harm in all aspects of editing. Alex is knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and caring, and made sure to hold space for all questions and ideas that emerged during our time together. Alex is the perfect facilitator for any team or individual looking to put the principles of conscious language into practice.”

—Shayna Keyles, Senior Acquisitions Editor, North Atlantic Books

“Alex brings so much positive energy for what language could be doing, if only we can shovel out the piles of accumulated junk that isn’t serving us. As a freelancer it can be easy to see conscious language as homework, or to approach it from that fear-based place that if you don’t do it right you’ll get fired, but when Alex speaks about it as measurable progress toward a liberated world, the work moves to a less of a dry duty and more of a joyful investment. And we all need more actionable hope when the world is on fire.”

—Kellie M. Hultgren, KMH Editing, Professional Editors Network

“Alex’s presentation profoundly resonated with our folks in Editorial, Production, and Marketing as well as other departments. Alex said what we were longing to hear—that there is a way to write, edit, and publish not only in ways that don’t exacerbate existing harmful practices, but in ways that liberate both the subject and the reader. Alex offered concrete examples to help us see how words, phrases, and ideas that we take for granted serve the function of shaping our reality—and that if we begin to see the unseen, we can take steps to create a more equitable and just world.”

—Desirée Bartlett, Senior Content Development Editor, Corwin Press, SAGE Publications

“Alex has a brilliant framework for conveying the truth and nuances of how language is not neutral. Alex’s Radical Copyediting approach asks us to wield the positive power of liberatory language to make our world a better place, word by word. Our answer has to be yes!”

—Lee Wind, Director of Education and Programs, Independent Book Publishers Association

“Alex is a dynamic presenter—engaging, even on Zoom, and skilled at sharing an abundance of information in a short time. Alex tailored the presentation to our group, covering general topics like inclusive language and also talking through scenarios specific to our organization. Alex’s workshop got rave reviews—participants were energized to apply what they learned and eager for more.”

—Sarah Stanton, Senior Editor, Sounds True

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sensitivity reading & consulting

Sensitivity reads (also called authenticity reads or cultural research reads) are something I’ve been doing for my entire career, long before there was a name for it—by always editing with an eye for how a text might be unintentionally playing into biased stereotypes or harmful unconscious cultural norms with regards to race, class, gender, disability, sexuality, and more.

It’s gratifying that the publishing industry has begun to value this skill, and many publishers now seek to integrate anti-oppression into their process by creating advisory boards, teams of sensitivity reviewers, and lists of freelancers who offer this service. I serve on the Equity & Accountability Panel for Skinner House Books, do consulting with presses on this topic, and also provide sensitivity reads on individual projects.  

If I’m not the best person for a job I always do my best to connect people with other editors and consultants who have lived experience as people of color, disabled folks, queer and trans folks, people from particular religious or cultural backgrounds, and so forth.

Past clients include:

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copyediting

As the name of this site speaks to, I’m a copyeditor at heart. I’ve been copyediting for close to two decades, and I still take on occasional copyediting jobs that particularly interest me, mostly in progressive nonfiction and academic writing (e.g., dissertations).

I’ve copyedited far too many books and other products to count, but some of my favorites are: