In this article, we shine a spotlight on Steve Alexander, known as Alex, a senior editor at ILLUMINATION Integrated Publications. He offers fresh perspectives on the craft of writing and editing.

Alex joined Medium in November 2019, motivated by the belief that he had engaging stories to share. Beyond being a prolific author, he is also an avid reader.

He writes under the pseudonym The Wordsmith™—a title he adopted during his previous career as a litigation attorney, where he viewed himself as a craftsman of language.

At 73 years old, Alex has retired from the courtroom but continues to write to entertain, inspire, and provoke thought.

Originally from San Diego, California, he relocated to Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2006 to assist his sister in caring for their mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer's. After her passing, he decided to remain in the area.

Now a septuagenarian, Alex, who identifies as a northern, urban, liberal, gay atheist, continues to reside in Fayetteville, a region often characterized by its conservative values.

His primary focus is memoir writing, but he also engages in political commentary and poetry when creativity strikes. He is recognized as a leading writer on LGBTQ topics.

In addition to his contributions to Illumination and Illumination-Curated, his works can also be found in various Medium publications such as Prism & Pen, Found in My Journal, CRY Magazine, Politically Speaking, and the Readers Hope, among others.

Alex began writing for Illumination in July 2020 and became part of the editorial team in mid-2021. Subsequently, Dr. Mehmet Yildiz invited him to edit for Readers Hope, where he mentors aspiring writers. His role as a line editor and advisor on publishing policies has been invaluable.

His editorial approach leans towards line editing, which requires a meticulous eye for detail. While his assessments can be strict, he maintains a fair and compassionate stance, deeply invested in both the success of the articles and their authors.

Alex meticulously reads each piece, focusing on how to best articulate the author's message without overshadowing their voice. He finds line editing to be a time-consuming yet rewarding process, taking pride in guiding new writers and helping seasoned ones enhance their craft.

For further insights into Alex's journey, you can explore his engaging writer biography featured in Illumination-Curated.

We would like to highlight a selection of his compelling stories to provide a glimpse into his writing style.

Father and Son Before the Transformation :link: foundinmyjournal.com

Memories of Our Fathers :link: medium.com

Culture and Debauchery in Seattle after A Year of Cultural Deprivation and Enforced Celibacy in Fairbanks :link: medium.com

How One of Life’s Grander Moments Occurred in One of Its Grottier Places, New Year’s Eve 1988 :link: medium.com

A Song That Reminds Me of Something Exceptional :link: medium.com

Crossing The Line :link: medium.com

Can We Find Common Ground on Gay Rights and Religious Liberty :link: medium.com

Stop My Seed Arising :link: medium.com

Our Passing Moment :link: medium.com

Thank you for exploring the engaging narratives crafted by The Wordsmith™.