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If you’re new to writing poetry, take a look at our beginner’s guide. It will help you write your first poem.
If you’ve written a poetry book and plan on getting it published through a publisher such as one of these, ensure you get your poems properly edited.
To help you find a suitable editor, we’ve compiled the following list of 19 top poetry editing services.
1. Eric Muhr
Living in Newberg, Oregon, Eric Muhr is an executive editor and publisher at Barclay Press, as well as a freelance editor. With over 15 years of experience, he has worked on titles such as “Love Is Deeper Than Distance”, by Peg Edera, and “Close to the Ground”, by Nancy Thomas. Eric specializes in poetry, Christian fiction and nonfiction, LGBTQ+ nonfiction, and biographies & memoirs, to give some examples. If you’re looking for proofreading, developmental editing, copy editing, or editorial assessment services, he could be perfect for your project. To request a quote and to learn more about Eric, click here.
2. Shelby Newsom
Specializing in proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing, Shelby Newsom is a Pittsburgh-based freelancer. Currently an associate editor at Autumn House Press as well, Shelby loves helping authors improve their books. She prefers poetry, short stories, literary fiction, and biographies & memoirs, but she is open to working on a wide range of projects. If you’d like to check out some of the titles in her portfolio, “Epithalamia”, by Erinn Batykefer, and “Cage of Lit Glass”, by Charles Kell are two great choices. Quotes and additional information can be requested here.
3. Jeff Alessandrelli
Jeff Alessandrelli is a Portland-based freelance editor and the executive director of Fonograf Editions, a literary arts nonprofit. In terms of credentials, Jeff has a B.A. in Literature, an M.A. in Creative Writing (Poetry), a PhD in Literature/Creative Writing, and extensive experience in teaching college writing, to give some examples. Needless to say, Jeff knows exactly how to improve a book manuscript. He enjoys poetry, contemporary fiction, biographies & memoirs, and music, among other genres. “Lovability”, by Emily Kendal Frey, and “Returning the Sword to the Stone”, by Mark Leidner are just two of the titles that could give you an idea of his skills. If you’re in need of developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, or editorial assessment services, request a quote from Jeff here and see if he can help you out.
4. Madison Schultz
Based in Portland, Oregon, Madison Schultz is a freelance editor who gained valuable insights on the publishing industry at Ooligan Press. In terms of genres, she specializes in both fiction and nonfiction – poetry, self-help & self-improvement, and middle grade fantasy are just a few of her interests. Madison can provide developmental editing, proofreading, copy editing, and editorial assessment, and she adapts her approach to the particular needs of each client. If you’d like to request a quote or to learn about the poetry collections she has worked on so far, feel free to contact her here.
5. Nicole Fegan
A Roanoke-based freelance editor with around 10 years of experience in the publishing field, Nicole Fegan has previously worked at Penguin Random House and The Brown Daily Herald. She is passionate about both fiction and nonfiction, particularly when it comes to poetry, philosophy, sex & relationships, and contemporary fiction, to give some examples. “Pheromones”, by J.J. Cole, and “Coastal Isle”, by Megan May are two titles that could help you get an idea of her skills. If you’re looking for editorial assessment, developmental editing, copy editing, or proofreading services, you can request a quote from Nicole here.
6. Kelly Lydick
Living in Phoenix, Kelly Lydick is a freelance editor, a co-founding and associate editor at Immanence Journal, and the owner of The Story Laboratory. After starting her career at Perseus Books Group, Kelly discovered her passion for poetry, travel, business & management, and romance, to name some genres. In terms of services, she can provide editorial assessment, proofreading, copy editing, developmental editing, and query letter review. Since she doesn’t give any details regarding the poetry collections she has worked on so far, feel free to ask her any questions here.
7. Joshua Wilson
With an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and a PhD in English, Joshua Wilson excels at developmental editing, query letter review, and editorial assessment. A Seattle-based freelancer, Joshua’s main passion is poetry, which is why he earned both the Academy of American Poets Prize and the Iowa Poetry Prize. Some of the poets he has collaborated with so far are Fred Moten, Farid Matuk, and Alice Notley. If you’d like to learn more about his portfolio, check out “Evening Oracle”, by Brandon Shimoda, and “Sergei Kuzmich from All Sides”, by Jessica Laser. Feel free to request a quote here, and keep in mind that he works on a wide range of fiction and nonfiction projects.
8. Ariel So
Specializing in copy editing and proofreading, Ariel So is a Boston-based freelancer who gained valuable work experience at Coffee Stained Press, Scripps College Journal, and Red Hen Press. She enjoys both fiction and nonfiction, particularly when it comes to poetry, self-help & self-improvement, literary fiction, and short stories, to name some genres. If you’d like to learn more about Ariel’s portfolio, make sure to look up “Wave If You Can See Me”, by Susan Ludvigson, and “Open the Dark”, by Marie Tozier. Quotes and additional information can be requested here.
9. Kary Wayson
With 10 years of experience in the publishing industry, Kary Wayson is a freelance editor based in Seattle, Washington. Besides her freelance activity, she is also a manuscript consultant at Hugo House and an associate editor at Poetry Northwest. Kary can provide editorial assessment, copy editing, and proofreading for both fiction and nonfiction authors. Some of her favorite genres are poetry, LGBTQ+ nonfiction, art, and fiction mashups. “Detonation”, by R J Keeler, and “Orange”, by E. Briskin are two titles that can help you learn more about her editing style. To request a quote, access this page.
10. Elena Marinaccio
A freelance editor based in Richmond, Virginia, Elena Marinaccio has previously worked at Archie Comics, Cinco Puntos Press, and The Art Avenue Magazine. Due to her extensive experience, she can provide high-quality copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. If you’re curious about her skills, make sure to check out “Beauty is a Verb: The New Poetry of Disability”. Poetry, political science & current affairs, literary fiction, and comics & graphic novels are some of her favorite genres. To learn more about her interests and to request a quote, click here.
11. Laura Ross
Living in New York, NY, Laura Ross has been working in the publishing industry for over 30 years now. She has gained experience as a director of publication, a literary agent, a director of advertising and promotion, and an editorial director, so she knows exactly how to turn a book into a bestseller. Passionate about both fiction and nonfiction, Laura specializes in poetry, picture books, and health & well-being, to give some examples. “Dying to Be Perfect”, by Susan Barry is just one of the many titles you will find in her portfolio. If you need copy editing, developmental editing, editorial assessment, or query letter review services, feel free to request a quote from Laura here.
12. Abi Pollokoff
Abi Pollokoff is a Seattle-based freelance editor and managing editor at Poetry Northwest Editions. With an M.F.A. in Poetry and a Louisiana Literary Award from the Louisiana Library Association, among other credentials, Abi has what it takes to help you improve your book. In terms of services, she can provide editorial assessment, copy editing, indexing, and proofreading for poetry, history, children’s nonfiction, and photography projects. If you want to learn more about the poetry collections she has edited so far or to request a quote, access this page.
13. Dylan Garity
Dylan Garity is an experienced freelance editor who lives in New York, NY. Before starting his freelance career, he gained extensive work experience at Button Publishing, Inc. As he is interested in both fiction and nonfiction, Dylan specializes in poetry, romance, health & well-being, and fantasy, among other genres. “Depression & Other Magic Tricks”, by Sabrina Benaim, and “Helium”, by Rudy Francisco are two of the best titles you will find in his portfolio. To request a quote for his copy editing, developmental editing, proofreading, or editorial assessment services, click here.
14. Douglas Piccinnini
A freelance editor, consultant, and writer, Douglas Piccinnini has been working in the publishing field for around 15 years now. He has a B.A. in English Literature and Language, an M.F.A. in Creative Writing, a Best Poetry Collections of 2015 Award from Literary Hub, and many other credentials. You can get an idea of his skills by checking out “Blood Oboe”, a title written by him and Cal Bedient. Douglas can provide developmental editing, editorial assessment, and copy editing for poetry, contemporary fiction, and short story authors, to name some genres. To learn more about him and to request a quote, click here.
15. Elizabeth Sheridan
Specializing in poetry, business & management, LGBTQ+ nonfiction, and a few other genres, Elizabeth Sheridan is a freelance editor based in Iowa City. In terms of credentials, she has a Publishing Certificate from the University of Denver Publishing Institute and years of experience in editing, to give some examples. “The Book of Jane”, by Jennifer Habel, and “Radicals, Volume 1”, by Meredith Stabel, Zachary Turpin, and Roxane Gay will help you get an idea of her skills. If you need proofreading services for your project, feel free to request a quote from Elizabeth here.
16. Carrie Wicks
Living in Seattle, Washington, Carrie Wicks is a freelance editor who has previously worked at The Leonhardt Group, Marquand Books, and Modernist Cuisine. With over 15 years of experience in the publishing field, Carrie specializes in proofreading and copy editing. Her favorite genres are poetry, literary fiction, women’s fiction, and art, to give some examples. If you’d like to request a quote or to ask about the poetry collections she has edited so far, click here.
17. Ruth Tang
With a passion for fiction, Ruth Tang specializes in poetry, LGBTQ+ fiction, literary fiction, and a few other genres. Currently a freelance editor, she started her career in the publishing industry at Math Paper Press, where she worked for around four years. In terms of services, Ruth can provide developmental editing, copy editing, proofreading, and editorial assessment. “Poems for the Sound of the Sky Before Thunder”, by Topaz Winters, and “What Happened: Poems 1997 – 2017”, by Alvin Pang are just two of the best titles in her portfolio. If you’re looking for a New York-based editor that could help you polish your writings, request a quote here.
18. Mona Moraru
Mona Moraru is a Boston-based freelance editor who also works at the Chicago Quarterly Review, Catamaran Literary Reader, and CareerPro Global, Inc. She has a B.A. with Honors in English from Oberlin College, a Professional Certificate in Editing from University of California, and several other credentials. Mona specializes in both fiction and nonfiction. Poetry, travel, cultural & ethnic, and literary fiction are only a few of the genres she is interested in. If you need copy editing or proofreading services, Mona could be perfect for your project. To learn more about her portfolio and to request a quote, access this page.
19. Martha Sprackland
Living in London, UK, Martha Sprackland has 12 years of experience in the publishing field. Currently a freelance editor and writer, Martha started her career at Faber & Faber in 2012, where she worked as an assistant editor. In terms of genres, she is interested in fiction and nonfiction, particularly when it comes to poetry, short stories, biographies & memoirs, and literary fiction. “A Greek Verse for Ophelia and Other Poems”, by Giovanni Quessep, and “Isn’t Forever”, by Amy Key may help you get an idea of Martha’s skills. If you’re looking for developmental editing, copy editing, editorial assessment, or proofreading services, you can request a quote here.
Some More Top Poetry Editing Services
20. Emily Price
A freelance editor who gained valuable work experience at Delta Literary Journal, New Degree Press, and LEGACY Magazine, Emily Price has a lot to offer. In terms of specialties, she can provide copy editing for poetry, religion & spirituality, self-help & self-improvement, and literary fiction authors. “Consequences of Flight”, by Pei Ja Anderson, and “Into the Orange Grove”, by Grace Hasson are two of the best titles in her portfolio. To request a quote and to learn more about the genres Emily is interested in, click here.
21. Jess Chandler
Based in London, UK, Jess Chandler is a freelance editor with B.A. and M.A. degrees in English Literature. Besides her editing career, she is also the director of Prototype Publishing and House Sparrow Press. If you want to learn about her portfolio, make sure to check out “Republic Of Dogs/Republic Of Birds”, by Stephen Watts, and “RED EYE”, by Iain Sinclair. Jess specializes in developmental editing, proofreading, editorial assessment, and copy editing. While her favorite genre is fiction, particularly when it comes to poetry, anthologies, and short stories, she’s happy to work with nonfiction authors as well. Quotes can be requested here.
Do you know of any other poetry editing services? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.