Alexis Augustine

Alexis Oaks has been working as a freelance editor for about two years, specializing in developmental editing that addresses bigger picture elements such as plot structure, pacing, character development, and romance arcs. She originally pursued a degree in social work and completed an internship at a foster care and adoption agency, but after graduation she realized she wanted to help people in a different way. She explored roles at a daycare, in customer service, and at a fitness center assisting clients with their goals, yet none fully satisfied her until she drew on her love of reading and her background in compassion to enter editing. After applying to Big Five publishers and facing rejections, Alexis gained experience by editing for free, researched extensively through online resources from seasoned editors, and eventually began charging for her services. In her daily work she edits up to 50 pages, which takes eight to 12 hours, emphasizing show-not-tell techniques and providing detailed feedback. She markets her business primarily through TikTok, supplemented by other social platforms and word-of-mouth referrals, and finds her greatest reward in encouraging authors not to give up and watching them grow as writers. Her long-term goal is to expand into a larger company within five years by bringing on additional editors.