Ally Machate is the founder of The Writer’s Ally and a former Simon & Schuster editor with 20+ years of experience helping authors create high-quality, marketable books. She’s worked with bestselling authors, industry leaders, and passionate indie storytellers to develop books that get results—whether that means more readers or more clients. Known for her strategic insights and straight-shooting style, Ally believes editing is more than just fixing—it’s transforming. She’ll share how smart editorial decisions can elevate a manuscript from forgettable to unforgettable, and why great editing is the real secret to publishing success.

Felicia’s editing is informed by her diverse professional experience. After graduating with a BA with honors and MA in English from Stanford, she worked as a nanny in France, a technical writer for the Space Shuttle Program, and a video game tester before earning a Ph.D. in linguistics from UCLA. After teaching linguistics at schools including the University of British Columbia and the University of Florida, she launched her career as a writer and editor, working on books published by major academic presses such as Routledge and commercial imprints such as Skyhorse. She is also a published author of both fiction and nonfiction and member of the Horror Writers Association.

Alex Morin is a passionate editor, book coach, and co founder of Working Writers Co., where he helps aspiring and seasoned authors transform their ideas into polished, publishable manuscripts. With a degree in English Literature from the University of British Columbia and two decades of experience in promotional advertising, Alex brings creative flair and strategic insight to the editing process. A lifelong storyteller, Alex has always been driven by the power of words to move, inspire, and connect. In 2020, after a life-altering experience involving his son’s near-death, he chose to fully align his life with his passion for writing and helping others share their stories.