Alexandra McKee
Trading as: Word Works
Based in:
Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland
Professional memberships
Association of Freelance Editors, Proofreaders and Indexers of Ireland – Full Member Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading – Professional Member Editors’ and Proofreaders’ Alliance of Northern Ireland – Member
Educational qualifications
Bachelor of Arts, Boston College, 1992 Certificate in Book Publishing, New York University, 1995
Training and professional development
Proofreading PDFs (PTC, 2022) Writing for the Web (PTC, 2021) Efficient Editing (CIEP, 2021) Practical Mark-up with PDFS (SfEP, 2017) Fiction Editing (Publishing Ireland, 2013) On-screen Editing (SfEP, 2013) Intro to Proofreading (SfEP, 2011) Intro to Web Editorial Skills (SfEP, 2011)
Experience
Freelance editor, proofreader, writer and graphic designer since 2005. Worked for five years in book publishing in New York City (1993 to 1998) — two years with Simon & Schuster, three years with Stewart, Tabori & Chang.
Services offered
EDITING: Copy-editing, substantive editing, Americanisation, fiction, non-fiction, cookery books and craft publications; manuscript critique
PROOFREADING: Words documents; PDFs; InDesign content and layout
COPYWRITING: Web copy, business copy and feature articles
DESIGN: Publication design and layout; logos; business flyers, and publicity and marketing materials
Subject areas
Fiction, non-fiction, cookery books and craft publications
Examples of work undertaken
Getting Married in Northern Ireland bridal magazine (sub-editor 2013 to present) Self-published books – fiction and non-fiction Published books: The Railroad and the Art of Place (Center for Railroad Photography & Art, 2016); Various Small Books (MIT Press, 2012); Ghost Dancing: Sacred Medicine and the Art of JD Challenger (STC, 1998); Play with Your Pumpkins (STC, 1998); Our Grandmothers (STC, 1998); Gardens: An Engagement Calendar for 1998 (STC, 1998); A Christmas Carol (STC, 1997); Wolf Walking (STC, 1997); Little Moments of Happiness (STC, 1997); I’m Afraid (STC, 1997); Leaves: In Myth, Magic, and Medicine (STC, 1997); Women of Flowers (STC, 1996); Microcosmos (STC, 1996)
Testimonials
“We worked with Alexandra to help proof read recipes for a programme. She was thorough and professional. Highly recommended!” Amanda Hamilton
Alexandra has proved to be a wonderful editor. She took my debut novel under her wing and helped turn it into a book worthy of publication. I was a very under-confident writer, but she never made me feel my work was mediocre, rather, she guided me towards a better understanding of the art of writing. She is friendly, approachable, and always replied promptly to my many emails. Her expertise has been invaluable and I have no hesitation in highly recommending her.
Ellie Joyce, Young Eagle Rising, 2022