Owner, Editor, Coach, Collaborator – Red Pen for Rent (2012–present)

Clients include Bella Books (2020–present), GCLS Writing Academy (2019–present), Terry Hines & Associates (2020–present), Certify-Ed (2021–present), and dozens of independent authors, small and large businesses, and academic presses.

Freelance Proofreader – Graphic Orb (2010–2013)

Proofread a large volume of advertising and communication projects for brand editorial style and consistency using various client-specific style guides (clients included Amgen, Sony, Gooding, Honda Financial Services, and Intel); verified content against project documentation; reviewed materials at various stages of development; worked in collaboration with project managers and production artists

Catalogue Production Manager – Gooding & Company (2012)

Produced two 300-page art-quality catalogues for Gooding & Company’s 2012 Pebble Beach Auctions in just 5 weeks: assigned writers; edited text; wrote text; coordinated text review process; and managed vendors, writers, and car specialists

Writer/Editor – Eco Family News (2009–2010)

Researched and wrote articles, compiled newsletters, proofread and edited articles and correspondence

Editor – Actor’s Ink ezine (published by Now Casting) (2008–2009)

Edited text and layout of Actor’s Ink ezine and transcribed interviews

Writer/Photographer – Animal Match Rescue Team (2008)

Wrote blurbs and took photos of shelter animals to help increase their odds of adoption

Writer – Milestone SEO (2007)

Wrote articles relating to water damage and mold remediation and then posted those articles to sites such as Article Sphere with keywords linking back to the company’s website.

Moderated “Education: Dialectics and Linguistics in the Classroom” panel at “Looking Askew: Odd-Angle Approaches” at California State University, Northridge (April 2012)

Presented “Alcatraz versus the Establishment” at “Looking Askew: Odd-Angle Approaches” at California State University, Northridge (April 2012)

Presented “Coming of Age in Middlesex” at “Sex…or Something Like It” at California State University, Northridge (March 2012)

Presented “Dangers of the Condescending Narrator: A Critical Perspective on Brandon Sanderson’s Alcatraz Series for Middle-Grade Readers” at “Once Upon a Precipice” at California State University, Northridge (April 2011)

Founding member of Editorial Freelancers Association Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Community (EFA-DEB)
GCLS Awards Judge since 2016
Director of EFA-DI Welcome Program (2018–2019)
Member-at-Large on EFA Board of Directors (2016–2017)
President of the Chattanooga Writers’ Guild (2014–2016)

“Alissa is one of my favorite editors to work with. Not only is she a very good editor but she is also the person you want to work with in regards of deadlines and proactive communication. She certainly makes my life a lot easier and I’m thankful to have her as part of our team.”

–Astrid Ohletz, CEO of Ylva Publishing (client of Red Pen for Rent, 2013–2023)

“A consummate professional: prompt, deadline-oriented, meticulous. Knows her own worth and delivers on it!”

–Mark Fox, PETT Fox, Inc. (client of Red Pen for Rent, 2012–2020)

“Alissa has the best eye of any proofreader I’ve met. She is very sharp and driven to producing high-quality work.”

–Gabriel Molina, Alissa’s former supervisor at Graphic Orb

“Although I’ve only had the pleasure of working with and supervising Alissa McGowan for a few years, within that short timeframe she was one of the best wordsmiths I’ve come across in a great while – and I’ve been in the fast-paced, cutthroat, deadline-driven print-production industry for over a decade.

Alissa was one of my top well-rounded and diligent proofreaders. She was dependable in every respect and was my go-to proofreader for most heavy-text jobs, which included pharma and many additional complex projects, because she was so well-organized, fast, and thorough. When copyediting was needed, Alissa, being well-read and a master of English grammar was entrusted to copyedit and occasionally rewrite pieces of text for our clients; and she did this with ease and professionalism, always keeping in mind my instructions as well as the desires of our clients.

It’s just easy to work with Alissa. I trust her to do the job; but more so, I trust her to do the jobs I request well. She definitely made my job easier. When my clients are happy, so am I. Would I hire Alissa again? Absolutely. Would I recommend her to copyedit, rewrite, or proofread for me again? Yes, yes, and yes.”

–Sydni Lord, Graphic Orb Proofreading Department Manager