Conversations with Alexis Augustine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Augustine.

Hi Alexis, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was always taught, growing up, that I needed to choose a practical career, and the creativity I craved was better kept as a hobby. I chose Social Work in college because it was flexible and I’d have numerous opportunities after I graduated. I worked a number of jobs after receiving my diploma that had nothing to do with my degree. They were fulfilling in ways, but didn’t completely fill my cup. I began writing while working at a daycare, and it served as my creative outlet. Still, it wasn’t enough. It was some months after that when a friend approached me about writing her book. She asked for some insight, and I was happy to help. I always wanted to help people, and I wanted creativity to be at the core of it all. Through that experience, I learned what my passion was, and in discovering it, I took off at a sprint, wrote many cover letters, and applied to every open position at the Big 5 publishing houses, only to be met with rejection after rejection. I thought this dream was coming to an end before it even began. I’d changed jobs and was working at a fitness club, helping people in the only way it seemed this life would allow, and I was miserable. There was this moment; it may have been desperation or passion that drove me to be vulnerable, but I posted on TikTok, asking if anyone could help me carve this path for myself. This was where I discovered some of my very first clients and the people I consider my good friends. I spent the first year of my new endeavor doing work pro bono. I worked full-time at the fitness club, and then I’d stay up until 3 or 4 am working on editing projects, only to wake up 3 hours later for my full-time job. The second year was when I began charging a highly discounted rate. I went through many trials and tribulations, working through my process and polishing it for the future. I eventually went part-time at the fitness club to dedicate more time to editing, but I was still miserable. When I was checking people in for their workouts, I was thinking about how much time I was wasting. So, in June of 2025, I took a leap of faith and quit my part-time job to focus on editing full-time. This past year has been challenging to say the least. It has been about learning marketing skills, time management, and financial planning, and amongst it all, I lost my grandmother, who was my biggest cheerleader. Carving out this path isn’t easy, and I’m still working toward this dream every day, and while I do it for myself, I do it in my grandmother’s memory because of who she always knew I’d become.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly not been smooth. When building a business, regardless of type, you run into many roadblocks. For me, I had to learn when to terminate contracts and on what basis. I had to choose my morals over money. However, one of the biggest challenges along the way is learning to talk about my work, showcase it to attract clients, and stand out in the crowd. Marketing my business is just marketing myself. That is what makes me stand out. Nobody is going to be like me. That creates a level of vulnerability that can make situations feel a little personal, but I’ve learned to detach myself from that way of thinking. I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but I will be perfect for the right people.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I primarily specialize in developmental editing, but I do offer other services. Recently, I’ve added book coaching to my list, which I am very excited about. As a book coach and developmental editor, I focus on big picture items. This can include, but is not limited to, foreshadowing, character development, pacing, plot structure, context, and subtext. I also address genre conventions and reader expectations. My preferred genres are thriller, mystery, suspense, romance, and dystopian, but I’ve worked on a lot of fantasy and have a special place in my heart for that as well. I am most proud of the relationships I’ve created with my clients. This job requires a lot of trust, and I’m forever grateful for each person who has blessed me with theirs. What sets me apart is that I’m more than just an editor. I’m a fact checker, a cheerleader, someone who is direct and empathetic all at once, a comedian sometimes, and more than anything, I am a friend. I will never tell you there are too many questions or make you feel like a burden, and I truly believe that your story deserves to be told.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
This is a challenging question, because we are living the change right now. One potentially big shift that we are witnessing currently is the rise of generative AI and the decline of people seeing the value in hiring a human editor. This is a very scary time to be marketing myself and building a business because less and less people are hiring human editors. I think the next 5-10 years will likely involve more education and allowing that information to be more accessible to writers. This will allow authors to make an educated decision for the trajectory of their novel. I can’t stop people from using generative AI, despite its effect on the planet and lack of human intelligence, but there are people out there who want to understand what I do and see the benefit in utilizing these services. Those are the people I keep pushing forward for because all I’ve ever wanted was to help people chase their dreams.

Pricing:

• Developmental Editing: .022 per word
• Line Editing: .019 per word
• Brainstorming Sessions: $50 per hour
• Book Coaching: $300 per month

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oakanddaggerediting.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oak_and_dagger_editing/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568543878949
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@oakanddagger