TESTIMONIALS
What others have said ...
AJ Coonan
My book had been in my head for years. Alana helped to bring the characters and the story out of my head and into life in an actual book! My work was my baby, and sharing it for the first time was nerve shredding. Alana helped to alleviate these nerves and encouraged me to have faith. Working with, and being advised by, a professional like Alana gave me the impetus I needed to finish my story and get the book "over the line". Her knowledge of the areas in which I had no experience proved invaluable. Seeing the finished article and reading a paperback of "my novel" was a moment in my life that I will never forget. I could not have arrived at this point without Alana’s help, and will be eternally grateful.
Joan Darbyshire
I would never have had my book, Diaspora Family, published if it hadn't been for Alana. I met her through the Swansea and District Writer's Circle and from the very first she was encouraging and supportive. I had no idea as to whether what I had written was any good or not. It was my first full length effort and had taken 5 years to research and write and I was 81 years old when it was finished. When Alana read the manuscript she was so complimentary that I started to believe it might be a good book after all. Alana made the process easy for me when it was ready to publish. She took most of the responsibility off me but regularly consulted with me about all the details. She explained the processes clearly so I knew what I needed to do. She does all the book ordering for me and is helping me with successful marketing. She was an ideal editor and publisher for me, as a first time author who had no idea about publishing and marketing. Many thanks, Alana, for everything you have done and are still doing for me
Sharon (Swansea)
I just want to say how lovely it has been to work with you. You have been patient, professional and kind. The publishing world is a rough sea to navigate and can be quite a hostile environment. Thank you for your valuable feedback so gently delivered. I am definitely going to act upon this as your evaluation is spot on. I am grateful for your support and friendship and hope to catch up with you again soon.
Andrea Laland
This is the wonderful publisher who helped David publish his book. She gave him back the confidence that others had taken away. Alana is so supportive and has changed David's life by helping him get his book published
Chris Smith
I would like to express my utmost thanks to Alana. My first faltering footsteps into authorship turned to disaster but Alana’s dedication and hard work has restored my faith in the publishing industry. How she has worked so diligently and accurately upon a subject matter in which she has had previously little knowledge or interest I do not know. But what I do know is that any success that this publication achieves will be as a result of her dedication.
​Lynn Griffiths
When we made the decision to have my 95 year old Aunt's poems published as a birthday surprise there was really only one port of call for me and that was to engage the knowledge and skills of Alana. I knew we'd be in the very best of hands. I didn't realise how much she would need to guide and support us at every step. She worked under stressful circumstances as we didn't have that much time to achieve our aim having left it until quite close to the date of the party. It also meant meeting often in the search for correct decisions and Alana happily travelled up and down the motorway to suit our timetable. As one cousin works shifts as a ward sister and the other was trying to care for their mother whilst sneaking off to meet up, it became quite difficult to organise. Alana was always patient kind and understanding always coming up with brilliant workable suggestions. At the end we have the most stunning book of poems of which the whole family is proud and there was absolutely no way we could have achieved it without Alana to help us through. She truly is an expert and always professional throughout. Thank you Alana - you're absolutely amazing.
Yvonne Liles-Crocker
Before being introduced to Alana I thought the book I had written would remain on my computer, as taking it any further felt quite impossible. Handing over my writing to someone for the first time was terrifying but I needn’t have worried. Alana’s professional yet supportive approach gave me the confidence to believe in myself and that my writing was worthy of being made into a book. The work Alana put into organising, editing, working in citations etc was incredible yet made the process seem so smooth and enjoyable. I was overwhelmed with the finished product and believe I couldn’t have gone through this process, enjoyed and gained so much from it, without Alana’s help.
Paula Montez, on behalf of Swansea & District Writers’ Circle
Circle of Sonnets Poetry Anthology
Alana did a marvellous job of editing our very first anthology. She had to collate a whole year’s worth of poetry, many of which also also needed to be categorised into themes and into the poetic forms required for each section of the book. Alana’s depth of knowledge and attention to detail ensured that this was done correctly. The book went on to be shortlisted for a poetry prize.
Paula Montez, on behalf of Swansea & District Writers’ Circle
Anniversary Anthology
Following on from Alana’s excellent editing of the poetry anthology, she was entrusted with the editing of our special anniversary anthology. The idea of an anthology had generated a great deal of creative pieces which Alana collated into a beautifully structured book. As this was our anniversary edition, there was also a tight deadline which Alana kept to, with time to spare! No mean feat considering that there were over 20 contributors with whom to co-ordinate. The speed of delivery did not in any way diminish the thoroughness of her work. Alana – Editor Extraordinaire!
Glenn Hyde (writing as TG Hyde)
I have been fortunate enough to have worked with Alana over the past couple of years. She helped to compile and arrange my first collection of short stories, which had been lying dormant for a while on my memory stick. Then she went on to edit and publish the collection, along with designing the cover. That's no mean feat obviously, and I was delighted with the result.
Due to her encouragement, support and editing skills, I have since gone on to have a novella completed and published, and I am about to release another collection of short stories.
It is down to Alana's meticulous and passionate approach to her work and through helping others that I have achieved any of this. I hope to continue to gain from her inspirational style in the future!
Mike Everley
Alana did a wonderful job of proofreading and editing my book A Moment in Time: Collective Works publication. She was extremely diligent and missed nothing. I also learnt a lot from the process - particularly that it is never a good idea to edit your own work as you see what you think is there rather than what is. I would highly recommend Alana to anyone wishing to have their work edited as she provides a highly professional service.
Huw Thomas (writing as D Huw Thomas)
When I wrote my first book in 2021, my introduction to Alana could not have been more fortuitous She is a very professional lady with bags of talent in her own right. She is also a lady who cares about her clients, which ensures a polished product at the time of publication. Her advice and common sense approach have helped me in my new venture as an author and I hope will continue in the future.