Alex Kempsell 🖋️
@alexeditsbooks.bsky.social
Book Editor || Writer || All-Around Nerd
NOW BOOKING FOR 2025
Find my editing services (and anything else you may want) here:
https://linktr.ee/AlexKempsell
NOW BOOKING FOR 2025
Find my editing services (and anything else you may want) here:
https://linktr.ee/AlexKempsell
Favorite writing quote of the day:
"Writing is making complicated ideas into simple sentences."
-from "Unfuck Your Writing" by Joe Biel & Faith G. Harper
#authorsky #writersky
"Writing is making complicated ideas into simple sentences."
-from "Unfuck Your Writing" by Joe Biel & Faith G. Harper
#authorsky #writersky
July 23, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Favorite writing quote of the day:
"Writing is making complicated ideas into simple sentences."
-from "Unfuck Your Writing" by Joe Biel & Faith G. Harper
#authorsky #writersky
"Writing is making complicated ideas into simple sentences."
-from "Unfuck Your Writing" by Joe Biel & Faith G. Harper
#authorsky #writersky
Finally, after months of slacking, I've posted something new to The Pen Doesn't Have to Be Red! (I also managed to remember that BlueSky exists, so woohoo!)
#Editorsky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
#Editorsky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
The Importance of Taking Breaks
and the real, absolutely true reason why I haven't posted in so long.
open.substack.com
July 17, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Finally, after months of slacking, I've posted something new to The Pen Doesn't Have to Be Red! (I also managed to remember that BlueSky exists, so woohoo!)
#Editorsky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
#Editorsky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
Okay, so... I might've forgotten that Bluesky exists for a little bit.
How we doing, folks?
How we doing, folks?
May 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Okay, so... I might've forgotten that Bluesky exists for a little bit.
How we doing, folks?
How we doing, folks?
Granted, CMOS is a guidebook, so the whole thing is technically just preference. But I'm talking about things that are even more preference-y than others.
Hopefully some authors will see this and realize that their manuscript wasn't as error iddled as they thought.
#BookEditor #WriterCommunity
Hopefully some authors will see this and realize that their manuscript wasn't as error iddled as they thought.
#BookEditor #WriterCommunity
April 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Granted, CMOS is a guidebook, so the whole thing is technically just preference. But I'm talking about things that are even more preference-y than others.
Hopefully some authors will see this and realize that their manuscript wasn't as error iddled as they thought.
#BookEditor #WriterCommunity
Hopefully some authors will see this and realize that their manuscript wasn't as error iddled as they thought.
#BookEditor #WriterCommunity
After struggling to get myself to write sentence after sentence, I did this.
And immediately wrote about seven paragraphs without issue.
Bag on the head works, my friends! Weird shit works! Idk why, but it does.
#writingcommunity
And immediately wrote about seven paragraphs without issue.
Bag on the head works, my friends! Weird shit works! Idk why, but it does.
#writingcommunity
April 4, 2025 at 11:00 PM
After struggling to get myself to write sentence after sentence, I did this.
And immediately wrote about seven paragraphs without issue.
Bag on the head works, my friends! Weird shit works! Idk why, but it does.
#writingcommunity
And immediately wrote about seven paragraphs without issue.
Bag on the head works, my friends! Weird shit works! Idk why, but it does.
#writingcommunity
One of the best testimonials I’ve ever gotten from an author. It’s so sweet and validating, it made me tear up!
It’s also so long I couldn’t fit the whole thing. So if you want to read it all, you can find it on TikTok, insta, and soon my website.
#writingcommunity #bookeditor
It’s also so long I couldn’t fit the whole thing. So if you want to read it all, you can find it on TikTok, insta, and soon my website.
#writingcommunity #bookeditor
April 3, 2025 at 5:29 PM
One of the best testimonials I’ve ever gotten from an author. It’s so sweet and validating, it made me tear up!
It’s also so long I couldn’t fit the whole thing. So if you want to read it all, you can find it on TikTok, insta, and soon my website.
#writingcommunity #bookeditor
It’s also so long I couldn’t fit the whole thing. So if you want to read it all, you can find it on TikTok, insta, and soon my website.
#writingcommunity #bookeditor
If you get really good at past perfect tense, you will be your editor's best friend. That is a 100% guaranteed promise.
#authorcommunity #writingcommunity #authorsky
#authorcommunity #writingcommunity #authorsky
March 29, 2025 at 12:48 AM
If you get really good at past perfect tense, you will be your editor's best friend. That is a 100% guaranteed promise.
#authorcommunity #writingcommunity #authorsky
#authorcommunity #writingcommunity #authorsky
New post is up in the Substack! The week hasn't ended yet, so I count this as sticking to my bi-weekly schedule. Plus I got to rail against epithets, so that's fun.
Enjoy!
#writingcommunity #Bookeditor
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
Enjoy!
#writingcommunity #Bookeditor
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
Epithets annoy me, and they should annoy you too
And you better believe I'll tell you every little reason why. Buckle up, my friend!
open.substack.com
March 22, 2025 at 11:59 PM
New post is up in the Substack! The week hasn't ended yet, so I count this as sticking to my bi-weekly schedule. Plus I got to rail against epithets, so that's fun.
Enjoy!
#writingcommunity #Bookeditor
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
Enjoy!
#writingcommunity #Bookeditor
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
Hey, it's me, that really good idea for your story you had while you were showering, driving, doing dishes, or sleeping.
...
You're never gonna fuckin see me again. ✌️
#writersky #writingcommunity
...
You're never gonna fuckin see me again. ✌️
#writersky #writingcommunity
March 19, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Hey, it's me, that really good idea for your story you had while you were showering, driving, doing dishes, or sleeping.
...
You're never gonna fuckin see me again. ✌️
#writersky #writingcommunity
...
You're never gonna fuckin see me again. ✌️
#writersky #writingcommunity
I can’t help you with copyright, but I can help with copyleft… by helping take care of the errors you LEFT in this COPY.
…
I’ll see myself out.
#writersky #bookeditor #writingcommunity
…
I’ll see myself out.
#writersky #bookeditor #writingcommunity
March 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I can’t help you with copyright, but I can help with copyleft… by helping take care of the errors you LEFT in this COPY.
…
I’ll see myself out.
#writersky #bookeditor #writingcommunity
…
I’ll see myself out.
#writersky #bookeditor #writingcommunity
Editors, when we see someone ask another editor a direct question via social media, what we're NOT gonna do is swoop into the comments with things like this.
This is predatory toward the author and rude to the editor they were asking.
I get that we're all just trying to make a living, but c'mon...
This is predatory toward the author and rude to the editor they were asking.
I get that we're all just trying to make a living, but c'mon...
March 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Editors, when we see someone ask another editor a direct question via social media, what we're NOT gonna do is swoop into the comments with things like this.
This is predatory toward the author and rude to the editor they were asking.
I get that we're all just trying to make a living, but c'mon...
This is predatory toward the author and rude to the editor they were asking.
I get that we're all just trying to make a living, but c'mon...
Oh, okay author-client... so you're just gonna make me cry this morning with how thoughtful, supportive, and appreciative your responses on my feedback form were? Just gonna make me weep with sheer niceness and validation? Huh?!
WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! WHERE DO YOU FIND THE AUDACITY?!
#BookEditor
WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! WHERE DO YOU FIND THE AUDACITY?!
#BookEditor
a woman is crying while holding a napkin in front of a box with the letter i on it
ALT: a woman is crying while holding a napkin in front of a box with the letter i on it
media.tenor.com
March 12, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Oh, okay author-client... so you're just gonna make me cry this morning with how thoughtful, supportive, and appreciative your responses on my feedback form were? Just gonna make me weep with sheer niceness and validation? Huh?!
WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! WHERE DO YOU FIND THE AUDACITY?!
#BookEditor
WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT?! WHERE DO YOU FIND THE AUDACITY?!
#BookEditor
And now for some positivity!
The authors I work with are the best, and I shall hear nothing to the contrary. 🤩
#BookEditor #writingcommunity #writersky
The authors I work with are the best, and I shall hear nothing to the contrary. 🤩
#BookEditor #writingcommunity #writersky
March 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
And now for some positivity!
The authors I work with are the best, and I shall hear nothing to the contrary. 🤩
#BookEditor #writingcommunity #writersky
The authors I work with are the best, and I shall hear nothing to the contrary. 🤩
#BookEditor #writingcommunity #writersky
New post on Substack, finally.
I’ll confess that this one is a thinly veiled excuse to tell everyone about one of my favorite DC villains: Torque! But I still tied it into writing.
Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
I’ll confess that this one is a thinly veiled excuse to tell everyone about one of my favorite DC villains: Torque! But I still tied it into writing.
Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
March 7, 2025 at 2:03 AM
New post on Substack, finally.
I’ll confess that this one is a thinly veiled excuse to tell everyone about one of my favorite DC villains: Torque! But I still tied it into writing.
Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
I’ll confess that this one is a thinly veiled excuse to tell everyone about one of my favorite DC villains: Torque! But I still tied it into writing.
Check it out!
open.substack.com/pub/akempsel...
I think what non-ADHD people don't understand about ADHD medication is that it doesn't make you concentrate. It's not some magic 'cure.' It doesn't make you focused or motivated.
It just makes these things *possible.*
The medication just unlocks the door. You still have to get it open.
It just makes these things *possible.*
The medication just unlocks the door. You still have to get it open.
February 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I think what non-ADHD people don't understand about ADHD medication is that it doesn't make you concentrate. It's not some magic 'cure.' It doesn't make you focused or motivated.
It just makes these things *possible.*
The medication just unlocks the door. You still have to get it open.
It just makes these things *possible.*
The medication just unlocks the door. You still have to get it open.
I don't know if I'll ever learn to vibe with text-based social media. It just feels so much more like shouting into the void than video-based kinds.
But also, maybe I just don't know how to do it right? Eh. 🤷
But also, maybe I just don't know how to do it right? Eh. 🤷
February 26, 2025 at 11:01 PM
I don't know if I'll ever learn to vibe with text-based social media. It just feels so much more like shouting into the void than video-based kinds.
But also, maybe I just don't know how to do it right? Eh. 🤷
But also, maybe I just don't know how to do it right? Eh. 🤷
So the thing with me and social media is that when I fall out of the habit of posting, I REALLY fall out of the habit.
Like, I forgot/was too busy to post for a week, and now I feel an aversion to even looking at the apps. 😮💨
Like, I forgot/was too busy to post for a week, and now I feel an aversion to even looking at the apps. 😮💨
February 26, 2025 at 1:40 AM
So the thing with me and social media is that when I fall out of the habit of posting, I REALLY fall out of the habit.
Like, I forgot/was too busy to post for a week, and now I feel an aversion to even looking at the apps. 😮💨
Like, I forgot/was too busy to post for a week, and now I feel an aversion to even looking at the apps. 😮💨
Hey, you know what’s cool?
…
No, seriously, do you? I wanna know. None of these youths think I’m hip and happenin’.
…
No, seriously, do you? I wanna know. None of these youths think I’m hip and happenin’.
February 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Hey, you know what’s cool?
…
No, seriously, do you? I wanna know. None of these youths think I’m hip and happenin’.
…
No, seriously, do you? I wanna know. None of these youths think I’m hip and happenin’.
Went out of town for the weekend (plus Monday) and decided to make it a social media break while I was at it.
I feel refreshed!
I feel refreshed!
February 19, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Went out of town for the weekend (plus Monday) and decided to make it a social media break while I was at it.
I feel refreshed!
I feel refreshed!
“Alex, you’re crying! You okay?”
Yeah, I was just thinking about the Portals scene from Avengers: Endgame again.
Yeah, I was just thinking about the Portals scene from Avengers: Endgame again.
February 7, 2025 at 5:27 AM
“Alex, you’re crying! You okay?”
Yeah, I was just thinking about the Portals scene from Avengers: Endgame again.
Yeah, I was just thinking about the Portals scene from Avengers: Endgame again.
Writers! Authors! Lend me your ears--er... or your eyes, I guess. Ahem. We've got an updated editing availability for the first half of 2025!
I offer copy, line, and developmental editing, along with a few other smaller services.
Let's talk about your manuscript!
#writersky #editorsky #authorsky
I offer copy, line, and developmental editing, along with a few other smaller services.
Let's talk about your manuscript!
#writersky #editorsky #authorsky
February 6, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Writers! Authors! Lend me your ears--er... or your eyes, I guess. Ahem. We've got an updated editing availability for the first half of 2025!
I offer copy, line, and developmental editing, along with a few other smaller services.
Let's talk about your manuscript!
#writersky #editorsky #authorsky
I offer copy, line, and developmental editing, along with a few other smaller services.
Let's talk about your manuscript!
#writersky #editorsky #authorsky
My favorite editor-community moment was when some doofus posted something like "Ugh, so the word 'they' can be singular now? I don't think I'll ever get used to that" and every book editor in the world came crashing down on them like a tidal wave of UM ACTUALLY. 😂
#editorsky
#editorsky
February 4, 2025 at 3:49 PM
My favorite editor-community moment was when some doofus posted something like "Ugh, so the word 'they' can be singular now? I don't think I'll ever get used to that" and every book editor in the world came crashing down on them like a tidal wave of UM ACTUALLY. 😂
#editorsky
#editorsky
I just typed "does it feet" instead of "does it fit" into a comment of this manuscript and didn't realize it until I went back to check something else an hour later.
I might be tired.
#editorsky
#writersky
#authorsky
I might be tired.
#editorsky
#writersky
#authorsky
February 3, 2025 at 5:11 PM
I just typed "does it feet" instead of "does it fit" into a comment of this manuscript and didn't realize it until I went back to check something else an hour later.
I might be tired.
#editorsky
#writersky
#authorsky
I might be tired.
#editorsky
#writersky
#authorsky
Dang it. This story made me cry again, just trying to find the quote. 😭 Seriously, my writing partner struck emotional gold with this one. Go read.
open.substack.com/pub/necessar...
#writersky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/necessar...
#writersky #authorsky
January 30, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Dang it. This story made me cry again, just trying to find the quote. 😭 Seriously, my writing partner struck emotional gold with this one. Go read.
open.substack.com/pub/necessar...
#writersky #authorsky
open.substack.com/pub/necessar...
#writersky #authorsky
As I work on this short story competition entry, I’ve discovered a roadblock I never considered:
It’s possible to just not vibe with the prompts. I didn’t have this problem with the Flash Fiction competition, but they're just not meshing with my brain.
Still gonna give it my all, though.
#writersky
It’s possible to just not vibe with the prompts. I didn’t have this problem with the Flash Fiction competition, but they're just not meshing with my brain.
Still gonna give it my all, though.
#writersky
January 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
As I work on this short story competition entry, I’ve discovered a roadblock I never considered:
It’s possible to just not vibe with the prompts. I didn’t have this problem with the Flash Fiction competition, but they're just not meshing with my brain.
Still gonna give it my all, though.
#writersky
It’s possible to just not vibe with the prompts. I didn’t have this problem with the Flash Fiction competition, but they're just not meshing with my brain.
Still gonna give it my all, though.
#writersky