I want you to feel completely at ease and respected for who you are when you work with me. I place a great deal of importance on equality, diversity and inclusion; our strengths lie in our differences.

I’m a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community (I’m queer and trans non-binary), and have experienced discrimination and exclusion over the years. My experience has only made me more determined to ensure that I provide the most supportive and inclusive environment for others, both professionally and personally, and that I work with others who share those values.

Throughout the last two decades of my working life, I’ve consistently sought work with individuals and organisations who champion equality, diversity and inclusion. As a postgraduate student (studying for an MA in Gender Studies), I worked with university disability services, providing support to students who require additional provisions to ensure they get the most out of their studies. As a designer I worked with museums and galleries to create exhibitions that were not only accessible to all visitors, but that actively celebrated equality and diversity. I worked on numerous projects about women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration rights and disability rights, working with members of those communities to ensure accurate and appropriate representation, and to provide friendly and professional support throughout the process. I also co-curated and designed a group art exhibition celebrating trans and non-binary identities (in which I also exhibited my own work).

As a publisher, I regularly work with diverse authors, and it’s one of the highlights of what I do. My own writing embodies my values and I’m passionate about reading and supporting diverse creators. As an editor, my approach is no different; I want to support the work of a broad range of writers and ensure that working with me is a positive experience. Not just in terms of the quality of work I provide, but also in making sure that you feel valued and comfortable being entirely yourself during our time working together.

And I think it’s worth noting that “equality” doesn’t mean treating everyone the same, but rather that it’s about making sure that everyone has equal opportunities and access to services. With that in mind, I’ll work to accommodate any additional or specific needs you might have; if we need to tweak processes or timelines, or you want a little more support on certain elements of your project, you only need ask and we can figure out a plan that works for you.

If you have any questions, do feel free to get in touch for an informal chat by emailing me at alexjgardner@hotmail.co.uk