“First and foremost, Alessandra Lusardi understands what works and what doesn’t.

This sounds like a simple thing, but it isn’t. It can’t be taught – not in a meaningful way. Every writer writes brilliantly in his head; getting the brilliance down on the page is the tricky part. That yawning gap between conception and execution is where Alessandra thrives as an editor. She is enthusiastic about the creative process. My first conversation with her after she read my book proposal – the first conversation I ever had with her – was exhilarating. She hadn’t just read the proposal, she’d really thought about it, considered the possibilities and pitfalls. A book is not a group effort like a movie. It is the author’s story, the author’s voice, the author’s vision. And Alessandra understands this. She is a passionate advocate for the author. She brings keen insights to every draft, quickly pinpointing what hasn’t yet made the journey from brain to page, whether it’s a dodgy structure, a wandering tone, or narrative blind alleys. She recognizes when the author has strayed from his own path; and she doesn’t just point this out, she has well-thought-out ideas for getting him back on track. She also recognizes when the author has nailed an idea or a chapter or a whole draft, and she makes that clear. I am grateful that I had Alessandra as my editor; she made my first solo book project a memorable and satisfying experience. 

She made me a better writer.”

—Douglas Perry, author of The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers who Inspired 'Chicago', and Eliot Ness: The Rise and Fall of an American Hero