CHILDREN'S BOOKS / YOUNG ADULT
"I highly recommend Allister Thompson to any author who is interested in critical feedback and willing to put the work into both small and substantive changes. He not only provided very detailed notes on areas that required attention from a developmental standpoint but he also did a thorough job of line-editing. I've heard a lot about the nature of author-editor relationships being antagonistic and, this being my debut novel, I wasn't sure what to expect. Allister is professional while having a sense of humour and being good-natured all around. With reasonable rates and always delivering edits on time, the entire process was pretty painless despite the work that needed to be done in order to get my manuscript to a publishable state. That said, I have no doubt in my mind that his skilled editing and critiques are what eventually led to my 4-star review in CM Magazine and other sites."
— Kat Kruger, author of The Night Has Teeth
"It’s been a joy working with Allister Thompson for almost five years now, and I hope it’s just the beginning of our relationship. Allister has a great eye for story, character development, and he’s a brilliant puppet master, making all the pieces fall together seamlessly. He also manages to give me extra special treatment, or at least make me feel as though he does, which is no doubt how he treats all his authors. I never really worry about anything, because I know he’s got every aspect of the process under control, from story development, to editorial mastery, to marketing and production. If I never work with another editor but Allister, I’ll be one very happy writer."
— Philippa Dowding, author of the acclaimed Lost Gargoyle Series
"I shall always be grateful to Allister Thompson. He was the first person in the publishing world to champion my debut book Red Wolf. At the time the manuscript had already been on the desks of many other acquisition editors who had all rejected it. Allister was working at Dundurn then, and he pushed for a contract for me, quenching the publisher’s anxiety about introducing the difficult and sensitive topic of Indian Residential Schools to middle grade readers. Allister became my editor and was a delight to work with, always so enthusiastic about my talent and the work I had done. And now with an endorsement from Joseph Boyden, a Silver Birch nomination, and a Moonbeam award, his faith in me and Red Wolf has been confirmed. I know he is so proud of me! And I am indebted to him."
— Jennifer Dance, award-nominated author of Red Wolf and Paint
"Allister is the most straightforward and helpful editor that I have worked with (and continue to work with). He gives real advice and suggestions versus either agreeing with me or pointing out mistakes. His knowledge of the industry makes him a great editor not just in style but also in real-world publishing."
— Lucy Leiderman, author of Lives of Magic in the Seven Wanderers series
"I worked with Allister Thompson on five titles when he was Series Editor for Napoleon Publishing's Stories of Canada books. While I wrote the words, Allister made them presentable, both through his considerable editorial skills and his patient and thoughtful matching of those words to the appropriate visual elements. The recognition that those books received (multiple Norma Fleck, Red Maple nominations), was due in large part to Allister's skills and I would not hesitate to recommend his talents to anyone seeking considered and sensitive editorial input."
— John Wilson, Governor General's award nominee and author of more than forty books for kids, teens and adults
"Allister has proven to be a marvellous editor with an eye for grammatical detail and plot inconsistencies. We teamed up on six novels, and my admiration for his editorial skills grew with each one. Allister made the editing process virtually painless, not attempting to rewrite manuscripts, but rather working to make the stories shine in my voice. He was always professional and patient as we went through each chapter — a true pleasure to work with on every project. Anyone working with Allister is in very kind and capable hands."
--Brenda Chapman, acclaimed young adult and crime fiction novelist
“When I decided to self-publish my latest kids book series, I knew I needed a professional editor who understood children’s publishing. I went with Allister because of his experience with many quality publishers and authors. I was not disappointed. With his professional and personal approach I knew my manuscript was in good hands. Allister tightened up my writing, caught my mistakes and overall made Ganked a better young adult novel. He is now my first choice for all my independent publishing projects.”
— Liam O'Donnell, author of Ganked and over 35 books and graphic novels for kids and teens.
ADULT FICTION
"When I started shopping for an editor as I was finishing up my first novel, Allister was highly recommended. I've never met the man yet I consider him a friend. He was exceptional to work with. I employed almost all his suggestions, including the big one, which meant changing the whole thing to third person. It was a bit tedious but certainly the right thing to do. His thorough and thoughtful editing and insightful observations made my characters more rounded and helped produce a novel of which I am very proud. I continue to keep in touch with Allister and fully intend to have him edit my next book. I wouldn't think of using anyone else."
— Graham MacDermott, author of Revenge River
"I’m extremely grateful to Allister Thompson for his outstanding copyedit. My book is a period piece and his sharp eye caught errors with respect to time frame that I and other early readers had missed. And it goes without saying, he knows his grammar. I’ve been fortunate to great reviews and I must credit the extra layer of quality that a good copyedit provides as a contributing factor. What an invaluable service! I won’t hesitate to use Allister on my next novel."
— Doug Greenall, author of Death of a Guru
"My experience in working with Allister is that not only does he get what I’m saying, but he also gets what it is I’m trying to say, which is perhaps the most important skill a good editor can have. His open-mindedness is matched with a critical eye, and while he is respectful of a writer’s work, he is not beyond telling them where there might be problems. He helped make the process of bringing my first novel to press feel more like a partnership. Allister possesses the skills that every writer should be looking for in an editor."
— Michael Januska, prize-winning short story writer and author of Riverside Drive
"Anyone can check for spelling mistakes, dot a few 'i's and cross a few 't's. If you're looking for a creative, dynamic and visionary editor who can see the hidden potential and really help a writer carve a piece of art from a block, then Allister Thompson is your man. A writer must have faith in his editor; I trust Allister's judgement implicitly."
— C.B. Forrest, author of the Charlie McKelvey mysteries, shortlisted for two Arthur Ellis awards
"I've worked with many book editors, story editors in film and producers over the years, but the two novels of mine that Allister edited have been the most enjoyable and enlightening creative experiences of my life. He is a master wordsmith with the rare ability to push material to its potential while respecting the original vision of the project. I trust his decision-making implicitly, and that's paramount when you turn over a year's worth of work to an editor. Allister is a treat to work with, and he's been a key component to the success of my writing."
— Scott Carter, author of Blind Luck and Barrett Fuller's Secret
"I have been using Allister Thompson's editing services for the last 8 months. I have found Allister to be very professional and enjoyable to work with. I've been impressed by his eye for detail and his suggestions that help make my novel a much better book. Also, he meets the agreed-upon deadlines and he responds quickly to any of my questions and concerns. He's been very helpful, more than I expected, in moving my project forward. I would gladly recommend Allister for any editing services that you may need."
— Frank Rockland, author of Fire on the Hill
"I’ve had the delight of having Allister as my editor for the five books in my mystery series. We’ve developed a good working relationship, respecting each other’s opinion. He is able to see the forest for the trees, not something I as a writer can always easily do. He invariably finds those sneaky errors I have totally missed no matter how many times I have read them. I know my books are better for his editorial improvements."
— R.J. Harlick, author of the Meg Harris mysteries, shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel.
"When looking for an editor, I tend to value someone who recognizes a vision and helps bring clarity to the work — and Allister brings precisely that. Writing is an immersive experience, and like all writers I can be defensive about my characters and my ideas. But all that is for naught if I write something that other people can't follow. Beyond being a spot-on copy editor, Allister has helped sharpen my ideas, bring lucidity to confusing but important passages and even helped me discover new authors who have been tremendously influential on new works. I work exclusively with Allister and wouldn't consider anyone else."
— John Griffin, author of Darkness
“The writer/editor relationship, I imagine, could be a nightmare. I say ‘imagine’ because my only experience with an editor was working Allister Thompson, and it was absolutely wonderful. He was thorough, understanding, calm, and provided great advice as he navigated the editing of my manuscript. I highly recommend Allister in any editorial role, and I would work with him again in a heartbeat.”
— Liam Card, author of Exit Papers From Paradise
“I have had the joy to work with Allister on three of my novels (Cemetery of the Nameless, When Hell Freezes Over and A Case of You). I found him to be perceptive, persistent, exceptionally professional, and very adept at the nuts and bolts of editing. He's one of those rare editors who can winnow out a writer's meaning in a poorly executed sentence or paragraph, rather than imposing his own ideas on what we poor ink-stained wretches are attempting to say. He can also see the big picture and was instrumental in helping weed out redundant passages, moving scenes around for better storyline flow, and tightening up dialogue. In short, I would not hesitate one moment to be able to work with him again. One more thing: Mr. Thompson has a terrific (and slightly acerbic) sense of humour that I found really enjoyable when the going got tough.”
— Acclaimed crime novelist and musician Rick Blechta
"Allister Thompson was the editor for The Tanglewood Murders. He will be my first choice for my next book. Allister has a talent for seeing a book objectively, helping to polish each chapter, each paragraph and each sentence as needed while keeping his vision on the finished work as a whole. I found Allister's process to be honest, direct and respectful of the words on the page. Editing is as much an art form as writing. While many editors seem to wield a red pen as if it were a paint brush, Allister's process brings out the best in one's work so that the original textures, grains and colours shine through even more clearly than they did before."
— David Weedmark, novelist and Governor General's Award nominee for poetry
"As a first-time novelist, choosing an editor was a key priority. Fortunately, a few good friends were kind enough to offer the criteria they used making their decision. I did a lot of homework creating my short list.
The stars must have been aligned when I chose Allister, because I do not know how I could have made a better choice. In addition to his excellent copy editing, his suggestions on all aspects of the project were delivered in a professional and timely fashion.
Allister’s expertise in the entire process of creating a novel, from soup to nuts, proved invaluable to me. His professionalism and experience came through clearly in all of his suggestions.
My professional life was spent in corporate America, where elite customer service was a rare commodity. Allister should consider writing a piece on this subject. The value for his services exceeded my expectations by a considerable amount.
I will use Allister again, and I suggest strongly to those reading this to add Allister to your short list immediately."
— Ron McCormack, author of The Big Play
"As I read through his editorial evaluation, I made a detailed list of his concerns and recommendations. Every item he mentioned needed attention. I found myself pleased to make the changes because I have no doubt Solar Flare is now an even better read. Bravo, Allister. You done good. It was a pleasure. I recommend him without hesitation."
— Rodney Romig, author of the Dan Trix mysteries
NON-FICTION
"I have worked with Allister on several books and highly recommend him. He has excellent editing skills and vast knowledge of the publishing world. He is fast, accurate, flexible, and responsive. Allister has an amazing eye for detail and a very high standard of professionalism. I look forward to working with him again on my next book."
—Lise Leblanc, author of the "Wish I Knew" series
“Allister Thompson has a unique ability to maintain, and in many cases strengthen the stylistic integrity of the writing he edits. His editing remains true to the author's vision while ensuring best stylistic practice and clean-as-a-whistle formatting. His easygoing nature makes communication a breeze, and knowing that he is overseeing my work gives me the confidence to know that my ideas are going to be presented to the world in the best possible light. Look no further for your editing needs.”
— Sean Kelly, author of Metal on Ice: Tales from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes
“I had total confidence in Allister Thompson as he faced the challenge of overseeing production of my book on the passenger ships once operated by Canada Steamship Lines. His responsibilities involved not only editing the text but also ensuring the proper placement of more than 120 illustrations. As a former copy editor myself, I can state unequivocally that he rose to both those challenges superbly. As a result, my book turned out better than I dared hope.”
— John Henry, author of Great White Fleet: Celebrating Canada Steamship Lines Passenger Ships
"Among the myriad choices that must be made in the creation of a book, choosing an editor is fundamental. Is it difficult to find a good editor, when you’re a first-time author? I really don’t know, because I had the good fortune to find a great one from the outset.
Allister Thompson is professional, reliable, exacting, and thorough, and at the same time approachable and supportive. He provides invaluable guidance on the 'big picture’, helping to clarify a book's scope and potential, as well as dealing expertly with the editorial minutiae.
Throughout my interaction with Allister I had complete confidence and trust in his work. He was a touchstone of good sense and stability in what can be a challenging learning process. I would recommend him unreservedly."
— David Beattie, author of Ossie & The Babe
"I highly recommend Allister Thompson to any author who is interested in critical feedback and willing to put the work into both small and substantive changes. He not only provided very detailed notes on areas that required attention from a developmental standpoint but he also did a thorough job of line-editing. I've heard a lot about the nature of author-editor relationships being antagonistic and, this being my debut novel, I wasn't sure what to expect. Allister is professional while having a sense of humour and being good-natured all around. With reasonable rates and always delivering edits on time, the entire process was pretty painless despite the work that needed to be done in order to get my manuscript to a publishable state. That said, I have no doubt in my mind that his skilled editing and critiques are what eventually led to my 4-star review in CM Magazine and other sites."
— Kat Kruger, author of The Night Has Teeth
"It’s been a joy working with Allister Thompson for almost five years now, and I hope it’s just the beginning of our relationship. Allister has a great eye for story, character development, and he’s a brilliant puppet master, making all the pieces fall together seamlessly. He also manages to give me extra special treatment, or at least make me feel as though he does, which is no doubt how he treats all his authors. I never really worry about anything, because I know he’s got every aspect of the process under control, from story development, to editorial mastery, to marketing and production. If I never work with another editor but Allister, I’ll be one very happy writer."
— Philippa Dowding, author of the acclaimed Lost Gargoyle Series
"I shall always be grateful to Allister Thompson. He was the first person in the publishing world to champion my debut book Red Wolf. At the time the manuscript had already been on the desks of many other acquisition editors who had all rejected it. Allister was working at Dundurn then, and he pushed for a contract for me, quenching the publisher’s anxiety about introducing the difficult and sensitive topic of Indian Residential Schools to middle grade readers. Allister became my editor and was a delight to work with, always so enthusiastic about my talent and the work I had done. And now with an endorsement from Joseph Boyden, a Silver Birch nomination, and a Moonbeam award, his faith in me and Red Wolf has been confirmed. I know he is so proud of me! And I am indebted to him."
— Jennifer Dance, award-nominated author of Red Wolf and Paint
"Allister is the most straightforward and helpful editor that I have worked with (and continue to work with). He gives real advice and suggestions versus either agreeing with me or pointing out mistakes. His knowledge of the industry makes him a great editor not just in style but also in real-world publishing."
— Lucy Leiderman, author of Lives of Magic in the Seven Wanderers series
"I worked with Allister Thompson on five titles when he was Series Editor for Napoleon Publishing's Stories of Canada books. While I wrote the words, Allister made them presentable, both through his considerable editorial skills and his patient and thoughtful matching of those words to the appropriate visual elements. The recognition that those books received (multiple Norma Fleck, Red Maple nominations), was due in large part to Allister's skills and I would not hesitate to recommend his talents to anyone seeking considered and sensitive editorial input."
— John Wilson, Governor General's award nominee and author of more than forty books for kids, teens and adults
"Allister has proven to be a marvellous editor with an eye for grammatical detail and plot inconsistencies. We teamed up on six novels, and my admiration for his editorial skills grew with each one. Allister made the editing process virtually painless, not attempting to rewrite manuscripts, but rather working to make the stories shine in my voice. He was always professional and patient as we went through each chapter — a true pleasure to work with on every project. Anyone working with Allister is in very kind and capable hands."
--Brenda Chapman, acclaimed young adult and crime fiction novelist
“When I decided to self-publish my latest kids book series, I knew I needed a professional editor who understood children’s publishing. I went with Allister because of his experience with many quality publishers and authors. I was not disappointed. With his professional and personal approach I knew my manuscript was in good hands. Allister tightened up my writing, caught my mistakes and overall made Ganked a better young adult novel. He is now my first choice for all my independent publishing projects.”
— Liam O'Donnell, author of Ganked and over 35 books and graphic novels for kids and teens.
ADULT FICTION
"When I started shopping for an editor as I was finishing up my first novel, Allister was highly recommended. I've never met the man yet I consider him a friend. He was exceptional to work with. I employed almost all his suggestions, including the big one, which meant changing the whole thing to third person. It was a bit tedious but certainly the right thing to do. His thorough and thoughtful editing and insightful observations made my characters more rounded and helped produce a novel of which I am very proud. I continue to keep in touch with Allister and fully intend to have him edit my next book. I wouldn't think of using anyone else."
— Graham MacDermott, author of Revenge River
"I’m extremely grateful to Allister Thompson for his outstanding copyedit. My book is a period piece and his sharp eye caught errors with respect to time frame that I and other early readers had missed. And it goes without saying, he knows his grammar. I’ve been fortunate to great reviews and I must credit the extra layer of quality that a good copyedit provides as a contributing factor. What an invaluable service! I won’t hesitate to use Allister on my next novel."
— Doug Greenall, author of Death of a Guru
"My experience in working with Allister is that not only does he get what I’m saying, but he also gets what it is I’m trying to say, which is perhaps the most important skill a good editor can have. His open-mindedness is matched with a critical eye, and while he is respectful of a writer’s work, he is not beyond telling them where there might be problems. He helped make the process of bringing my first novel to press feel more like a partnership. Allister possesses the skills that every writer should be looking for in an editor."
— Michael Januska, prize-winning short story writer and author of Riverside Drive
"Anyone can check for spelling mistakes, dot a few 'i's and cross a few 't's. If you're looking for a creative, dynamic and visionary editor who can see the hidden potential and really help a writer carve a piece of art from a block, then Allister Thompson is your man. A writer must have faith in his editor; I trust Allister's judgement implicitly."
— C.B. Forrest, author of the Charlie McKelvey mysteries, shortlisted for two Arthur Ellis awards
"I've worked with many book editors, story editors in film and producers over the years, but the two novels of mine that Allister edited have been the most enjoyable and enlightening creative experiences of my life. He is a master wordsmith with the rare ability to push material to its potential while respecting the original vision of the project. I trust his decision-making implicitly, and that's paramount when you turn over a year's worth of work to an editor. Allister is a treat to work with, and he's been a key component to the success of my writing."
— Scott Carter, author of Blind Luck and Barrett Fuller's Secret
"I have been using Allister Thompson's editing services for the last 8 months. I have found Allister to be very professional and enjoyable to work with. I've been impressed by his eye for detail and his suggestions that help make my novel a much better book. Also, he meets the agreed-upon deadlines and he responds quickly to any of my questions and concerns. He's been very helpful, more than I expected, in moving my project forward. I would gladly recommend Allister for any editing services that you may need."
— Frank Rockland, author of Fire on the Hill
"I’ve had the delight of having Allister as my editor for the five books in my mystery series. We’ve developed a good working relationship, respecting each other’s opinion. He is able to see the forest for the trees, not something I as a writer can always easily do. He invariably finds those sneaky errors I have totally missed no matter how many times I have read them. I know my books are better for his editorial improvements."
— R.J. Harlick, author of the Meg Harris mysteries, shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Award for best crime novel.
"When looking for an editor, I tend to value someone who recognizes a vision and helps bring clarity to the work — and Allister brings precisely that. Writing is an immersive experience, and like all writers I can be defensive about my characters and my ideas. But all that is for naught if I write something that other people can't follow. Beyond being a spot-on copy editor, Allister has helped sharpen my ideas, bring lucidity to confusing but important passages and even helped me discover new authors who have been tremendously influential on new works. I work exclusively with Allister and wouldn't consider anyone else."
— John Griffin, author of Darkness
“The writer/editor relationship, I imagine, could be a nightmare. I say ‘imagine’ because my only experience with an editor was working Allister Thompson, and it was absolutely wonderful. He was thorough, understanding, calm, and provided great advice as he navigated the editing of my manuscript. I highly recommend Allister in any editorial role, and I would work with him again in a heartbeat.”
— Liam Card, author of Exit Papers From Paradise
“I have had the joy to work with Allister on three of my novels (Cemetery of the Nameless, When Hell Freezes Over and A Case of You). I found him to be perceptive, persistent, exceptionally professional, and very adept at the nuts and bolts of editing. He's one of those rare editors who can winnow out a writer's meaning in a poorly executed sentence or paragraph, rather than imposing his own ideas on what we poor ink-stained wretches are attempting to say. He can also see the big picture and was instrumental in helping weed out redundant passages, moving scenes around for better storyline flow, and tightening up dialogue. In short, I would not hesitate one moment to be able to work with him again. One more thing: Mr. Thompson has a terrific (and slightly acerbic) sense of humour that I found really enjoyable when the going got tough.”
— Acclaimed crime novelist and musician Rick Blechta
"Allister Thompson was the editor for The Tanglewood Murders. He will be my first choice for my next book. Allister has a talent for seeing a book objectively, helping to polish each chapter, each paragraph and each sentence as needed while keeping his vision on the finished work as a whole. I found Allister's process to be honest, direct and respectful of the words on the page. Editing is as much an art form as writing. While many editors seem to wield a red pen as if it were a paint brush, Allister's process brings out the best in one's work so that the original textures, grains and colours shine through even more clearly than they did before."
— David Weedmark, novelist and Governor General's Award nominee for poetry
"As a first-time novelist, choosing an editor was a key priority. Fortunately, a few good friends were kind enough to offer the criteria they used making their decision. I did a lot of homework creating my short list.
The stars must have been aligned when I chose Allister, because I do not know how I could have made a better choice. In addition to his excellent copy editing, his suggestions on all aspects of the project were delivered in a professional and timely fashion.
Allister’s expertise in the entire process of creating a novel, from soup to nuts, proved invaluable to me. His professionalism and experience came through clearly in all of his suggestions.
My professional life was spent in corporate America, where elite customer service was a rare commodity. Allister should consider writing a piece on this subject. The value for his services exceeded my expectations by a considerable amount.
I will use Allister again, and I suggest strongly to those reading this to add Allister to your short list immediately."
— Ron McCormack, author of The Big Play
"As I read through his editorial evaluation, I made a detailed list of his concerns and recommendations. Every item he mentioned needed attention. I found myself pleased to make the changes because I have no doubt Solar Flare is now an even better read. Bravo, Allister. You done good. It was a pleasure. I recommend him without hesitation."
— Rodney Romig, author of the Dan Trix mysteries
NON-FICTION
"I have worked with Allister on several books and highly recommend him. He has excellent editing skills and vast knowledge of the publishing world. He is fast, accurate, flexible, and responsive. Allister has an amazing eye for detail and a very high standard of professionalism. I look forward to working with him again on my next book."
—Lise Leblanc, author of the "Wish I Knew" series
“Allister Thompson has a unique ability to maintain, and in many cases strengthen the stylistic integrity of the writing he edits. His editing remains true to the author's vision while ensuring best stylistic practice and clean-as-a-whistle formatting. His easygoing nature makes communication a breeze, and knowing that he is overseeing my work gives me the confidence to know that my ideas are going to be presented to the world in the best possible light. Look no further for your editing needs.”
— Sean Kelly, author of Metal on Ice: Tales from Canada's Hard Rock and Heavy Metal Heroes
“I had total confidence in Allister Thompson as he faced the challenge of overseeing production of my book on the passenger ships once operated by Canada Steamship Lines. His responsibilities involved not only editing the text but also ensuring the proper placement of more than 120 illustrations. As a former copy editor myself, I can state unequivocally that he rose to both those challenges superbly. As a result, my book turned out better than I dared hope.”
— John Henry, author of Great White Fleet: Celebrating Canada Steamship Lines Passenger Ships
"Among the myriad choices that must be made in the creation of a book, choosing an editor is fundamental. Is it difficult to find a good editor, when you’re a first-time author? I really don’t know, because I had the good fortune to find a great one from the outset.
Allister Thompson is professional, reliable, exacting, and thorough, and at the same time approachable and supportive. He provides invaluable guidance on the 'big picture’, helping to clarify a book's scope and potential, as well as dealing expertly with the editorial minutiae.
Throughout my interaction with Allister I had complete confidence and trust in his work. He was a touchstone of good sense and stability in what can be a challenging learning process. I would recommend him unreservedly."
— David Beattie, author of Ossie & The Babe
