Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Dailey.
Hi Alex, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up loving words and stories—reading books of all kinds and writing my own tales as a child. This love stayed with me through high school, and after community college, I went on to earn my BA in Creative Writing from Grand Valley State University. Post-college, I worked for eight years at a nonprofit arts organization, crafting press releases, newspaper op-eds, human-interest pieces, and a biannual newsletter. I also started picking up freelance writing jobs on the side to get established in that writing realm. Then, after a few years of having a side hustle, I took the plunge into becoming a small-business owner and operating full-time as a freelance writer and editor, leaving my 9-to-5 behind. Writing Dailey will mark its fifth anniversary in early 2026, and I’m grateful for the client base and support I have in Northern Michigan and beyond.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
For the most part, my journey has been smooth. During my years at the arts organization, I made many connections and nurtured strong local relationships, so when I went out on my own as a freelancer, I had people pulling for me and sending referrals my way from the start. Nearly five years later, I still haven’t had to solicit work. Thanks to word of mouth and my community ties, clients find me through mutual friends and acquaintances. All that to say, I’ve definitely faced my share of challenges—wrapping my head around taxes as a small-business owner without much overhead; putting firm boundaries in place with clients; educating people on realistic expectations; striving to find a healthy work-life balance as someone who works from her kitchen table late into the evenings and on weekends sometimes; and so on. But I wouldn’t trade my life as a freelancer for any other job. I am building the life and future that I want and embracing the flexibility of my field.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As a freelance writer and editor, I have the opportunity and pleasure of working with a wide array of businesses, nonprofits, organizations, authors, and groups. I get to write about local Northern Michigan history and communities across Michigan, and the businesses and individuals who make those regions thrive. I work with literary-centric nonprofits, such as the C.S. Lewis Festival and the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book, promoting the written word and helping get more people into reading and appreciating words. Working with fellow writers and local authors gives me a peek into how another writer’s mind works and how they process the concept of story. I love helping tell other people’s life stories, whether they’re community volunteers, business owners, newcomers to the area, etc. I also have the opportunity, as a small-business owner with a flexible schedule, to get involved in fun and exciting events, like the Storykeepers Ball, an entry-level literary event taking place in May 2026 that welcomes all readers to participate and celebrate reading and great stories, regardless of genre. Because of the career I have built, I can be involved with so many groups, book clubs, organizations, and local efforts. Because of this diversity in work and engagement, I have the skill set to write about many different types of places, events, individuals, occurrences, and more. So, I think my experiences, interests, passions, and versatility set me apart as a freelancer.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have never been fond of networking, unless it happens organically at a gathering, in passing at a coffee shop, or something of that sort. Attending events that are built around networking has never appealed to me because they feel forced and slightly inauthentic. Many people love networking and swear by the value of networking events, and I love that for them. I love nurturing connections and allowing them to develop in their own time. I also love when a casual introduction leads to a mutually beneficial mentor-mentee relationship. My advice to others looking to find a mentor or to network in their field would be to let such connections come naturally. Attend lectures or events that interest you; join a friend for happy hour and see whose path you cross; enroll in a continuing education course at your local community college; do some research on other writers or freelancers in your area and message them on social media to see if they’d be willing to meet for coffee and a chat. If you’re open and present, opportunities will come, and the right people will walk into your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://writingdailey.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writing_dailey/
