Meet the editor behind Dark Star Lit...
My name is Alison Huff and I started Dark Star Lit because I love stories and I love helping others.
That's a simple description of two things I'm most passionate about, but it's the truth.
I've worked exclusively as a freelance writer and editor for well over a decade. Beyond my own manuscripts, I've contributed to multiple anthologies and online media publications that include Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, BLUNTmoms, Women's Health Interactive, and The Roots Of Loneliness Project, as well as occasional satire for MockMom at Sammiches & Psych Meds.
As a ghostwriter and freelancer, I've written thousands of articles and long-form features. I consider myself lucky to have interviewed interesting people across six continents throughout my career—and yes, sometimes Google Translate had to come to the rescue!
More than two decades in the creative industry.
I've been working in the creative industry for more than 20 years, with employment relating to:
- Graphic design
- Digital art
- Ghostwriting
- Freelance writing
- Marketing
- Editorial (newsroom, website, content, blogs)
- Management (with years working as editor-in-chief of two online publications)
- Public and media relations
- Social media management
By far, my favorite work involves writing and editing. I'm pretty convinced I was put on this earth to make words more beautiful and bring untold stories to life.
A passion for the written word.
Words mean everything—literally and figuratively.
Communication is one of the most innate aspects of the human experience and storytelling is practically in our DNA. I am a passionate reader and writer, with a particular fondness for (and expertise in):
- Fairy tales (twisted and otherwise)
- Modern fables and mythology
- Crossworlds fantasy
- Low fantasy
- Magical realism
- Paranormal romance
- Paranormal mystery
- Contemporary fantasy
- Urban fantasy
- Comic fantasy
- Soft science fiction
- Dystopian/utopian
- Young adult
- New adult
- Women's fiction
- Family saga
- Quirky humor
- Sex and human sexuality
I also have an extensive background in editing statistical, analytic, and research-based content (largely medical/health and sex-related).
As far as what I read for fun during my free time, some of my favorite books include:
Good Omens • Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
The Graveyard Book • Neil Gaiman
The Ocean at the End of the Lane • Neil Gaiman
The Night Circus • Erin Morgenstern
Riot Baby • Tochi Onyebuchi
Discworld (especially the Death series) • Terry Pratchett
Outlander series • Diana Gabaldon
Seven Series • Dannika Dark
Considerate coaching and advice.
I've worked with some of the best editors (and writers!) and gained a lot of insight into how an editor and mentor should work with someone. Critique plays a vital role in any writer's growth—we cannot improve when we don't know what needs improvement—but I firmly believe it should be delivered with honesty and kindness.
I don't pump sunshine (nor will I ever blow smoke up your ass), but I won't cut you or your work down to size, either. My suggestions and advice are always given with your success and evolution in mind.
At the same time, my guidance is not gospel. I always encourage writers to take what they will from my suggestions—use the advice that aligns with their goals and gut instinct, and chuck the rest.
Five different editors will look at the same piece and offer five unique sets of advice—we all bring our individual expertise and opinions to the table. That said, YOU own your work and your voice. After it's polished to a shine, your manuscript should reflect what you want it to—and nothing else.