Allyson Machate

Baltimore, MD USA
Website: http://www.allymachate.com
Contact

Professional Experience

Formerly an acquiring editor at Simon & Schuster, I'm now a nationally bestselling book collaborator (ghostwriter/ book doctor), award-winning editor, and expert publishing consultant. If you have a message, philosophy, or program that can help others, then I can help you! I love working with purpose-driven entrepreneurs and service-based professionals, helping them become published authors so they can garner major media and plum speaking gigs, attract larger audiences and ideal clients, and help others while creating the lifestyle they desire. I have extensive experience with self-help/how-to titles and specialize in prescriptive nonfiction including business, health and wellness, mind/body/spirit, home and garden, and relationships and other topics of interest to women. If you have a book manuscript or proposal in need of serious help, I'm your gal. Please see www.allymachate.com or www.thewritersally.com for more info and testimonials.

Expertise

Editor
16 Years
Writer
16 Years
Other, Specify
16 Years

Specialty

Business (general)
15 Years
Other, Specify
15 Years
Health
15 Years

Industries


Book Publishing Consumer
16 Years
Online/new media
16 Years
Nonprofit
13 Years

Total Media Industry Experience

16 Years

Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Simon & Schuster (10+), Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (10+), Pearson/Premedia Global (10+), HarperCollins (6-10), Rodale Inc./Prevention Books (6-10), Hay House (1-2), Copyediting.com (1-2), Inkshares (3-5), Reader's Digest (1-2), Editorial Freelancers Association (1-2), Sunrise River Press (1-2)

Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)

Focuson Entertainment (6-10), Thunderpaw Business Intelligence (6-10), SEALFIT (3-5)

Other Work History

Most recently, I collaborated on the ***national bestseller*** THE WAY OF THE SEAL (Reader's Digest Books, 12/13) and doctored (with ghostwriting/line editing portions) WHOLE-PET HEALING (Hay House, due out 7/15), KEEP THIS, TOSS THAT (Reader's Digest, 4/15) and UNBEATABLE MIND 3rd ed. (CreateSpace, 3/15) among many other projects. In addition my writing has appeared in venues such as ConsumerSearch.com and The Writer, and books such as SPARKNOTES PHILOSOPHY 101 and the Writer's Digest 2009 GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS. On staff, I served at Brundage Publishing and Simon & Schuster/Touchstone Fireside. Since then, I've written, doctored, and edited more than a hundred manuscripts and proposals for publishers, literary agents, and writers on a freelance basis. I have spoken for the Maryland Writers Association (chapters and conference), League of Utah Writers, Bay to Ocean Writers Conference, Florida Writers Conference, Balticon, the Federal Women's Training Program, and more.

Technical Skills

Can use Microsoft Word "Reviewing" features for easy, paperless editorial work.

Unions

Authors Guild, Freelancers Union

Computer Skills

Windows 7, Microsoft Office 2013, some HTML, Wordpress

Equipment

Desktop computer system, fax machine, color printer/scanner/copier, digital camera.

References

References available on request. See www.allymachate.com and www.thewritersally.com for praise from clients.

Awards

Small Business Book Awards Top Resource 2013, Andrew Bergman Creative Writing Award, Portia Dunham Fiction Award

Associations

Phi Beta Kappa, Author's Guild, Association of Ghostwriters, National Nonfiction Authors Association, Editorial Freelancers Association, Maryland Writers Association, AvantGuild/Media Bistro, Golden Key International, Phi Eta Sigma

Showcase

Article Writing Samples

The Great White Way
(LazyHousewife.com 8/25/2006)
This humororous piece discusses how white jeans--a post-80s fashion faux pas--can turn a lazy housewife into a whirling dervish of cleanliness. And give your lazy buns a great workout, too!
Want More Clients and High Profile Opportunities? Write a Book
(The Business Monthly 3/4/2013)
If you want to establish yourself as an expert in your field, there's no better method than to publish a book. This article explores some reasons why and offers tips on getting started.
Platforms: Your Background Matters
(Writer's Digest 4/1/2008)
This article discusses what an author platform is, why it's necessary, how it's used, and how writers can begin to build one. Also appeared in the Writer's Digest 2009 Guide to Literary Agents and Funds for Writers.
How to Select the Right Freelance Editor
(The Writer Magazine 4/1/2009)
This article helps writers understand the differences between the most common editorial services and offers advice on how to properly evaluate and select the right freelance professional for their project and personality. A shorter version also appeared in Funds for Writers 11/7/2010.
The Streets of San Diego
(J3tlag.com 12/1/2005)
As pleasant as it may seem today, San Diego is home to a deliciously seedy past. This article details some of the fun facts you might learn on an historic walking tour of Southern California's brightest city, and recommends taking one on your next visit.
5 Book Proposal Musts
(Gotham Ghostwriters Blog 11/29/2011)
With so much riding on this one document, you have to be prepared to make the best pitch possible to agents and/or publishers. Make sure to do these five critical things, and you'll be well on your way to landing that book deal.
Why Fiction Writers Need Editors
(Nan Reinhardt writer's blog 1/11/2012)
In this guest blog for author Nan Reinhardt, I offer four reasons why fiction writers need editors and explain what I feel is your best choice for assistance when you can't hire a pro--and why it's a great resource even if you do intend to hire someone.

Book/Catalog Copy

Promise Me
(Simon & Schuster 9/1/2010)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for the NYT Bestseller Promise Me by Richard Paul Evans, who I actually had the pleasure of meeting at League of Utah Writers Roundup in 2009. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers.
Divine Match-Up RGG and Author Q&A
(Pocket Books 1/4/2008)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for the YA novel, Divine Match-Up, by Jacqueline Thomas. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers. I also did the Author Q&A (look for the link on the left).
The Big Burn
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 6/1/2010)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for The Big Burn by Timothy Egan. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers.
The Other Queen RGG and Author Q&A
(Touchstone Fireside/Simon & Schuster 5/23/2008)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for The Other Queen, by Philippa Gregory. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers. I also wrote the Author Q&A.
Far From Here
(Howard Books/Simon & Schuster 8/1/2011)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for Far From Here by Nicole Baart. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers.
Buddha's Orphans
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 6/20/2011)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for Buddha's Orphans by Samrat Upadhyay. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers.
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt 6/25/2012)
This is a Reading Group Guide created for the memoir When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood. I have done dozens of these for both fiction and nonfiction, and for various authors/publishers.