The best poetry book developmental editing services

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Janice 5 star rating

Seattle, WA, USA

Editor of hundreds of traditionally published books.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Young Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Poetry, Comics & Graphic Novels, Paranormal Romance, and Romance.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Fantagraphics Books

John 5 star rating

Stockton, CA, USA

I have many years of experience in a wide array of editing and writing duties in a wide variety of genres.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Short Story, Agriculture, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, Computers & Internet, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, Geography, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Philosophy.

Work experience:

  • Oxford University Press
  • MTKG, Inc.
  • University of California Press

Meg 5 star rating

Philadelphia, PA, USA

20+ yrs as a collaborative journalist/editor/poet, using candor and kindness to help writers win awards + publish their poetry + nonfiction.

Genres: Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Music, Psychology, Biographies & Memoirs, Writing & Publishing, Nature, Poetry, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Garden Design Magazine
  • Women's Health magazine
  • Rathalla Review
  • Rosemont College

Laura 5 star rating

New York, NY, United States

Expert developmental and line editor, ghostwriter, and consultant collaborates on all aspects of nonfiction and fiction for adults and kids.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Health & Wellbeing, Poetry, Inspirational, Women's Fiction, and Self-Help & Self-Improvement.

Work experience:

  • Jill Grinberg Literary Management
  • Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers
  • Pocket Books
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Penguin USA
  • Theater Communications Group

Lanette 5 star rating

South Hadley, MA, USA

Do you have a story to tell? I have 35+ years of professional editing experience and amazing reviews. (Scroll to the bottom to read them.)

Genres: Parenting & Families, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Sex & Relationships, Poetry, Fiction, Literary Fiction, and Coming of Age.

Erin L. 5 star rating

Seattle, Washington, United States

24+ awards in writing and editing • 30+ books edited • Specialties include nonfiction and poetry • Ph.D. student, lit and creative writing

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Short Story, Poetry, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Business & Management, History, Nature, and Children’s Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Cavendish Square, Wiley, & other publishers
  • Open Books: A Poem Emporium
  • Killer Visual Strategies
  • Various magazines
  • The Kentucky Standard
  • Sarabande Books
  • Entre Ríos Books

Dakota 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Experienced editor & published writer ▪ I have a passion for literature & words—especially poetry, essay collections, & children's books.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Biographies & Memoirs, Women's Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Thriller & Suspense, and Nature.

Work experience:

  • Atmosphere Press
  • Crazyhorse Magazine
  • The Georgia Review
  • University of Bahrain

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Aemilia 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Literary Agent representing award winning authors. Query/proposal/manuscript edits, specializing in character driven narratives and pitching

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Cultural & Ethnic, Fiction, Poetry, Contemporary Fiction, and Young Adult.

Work experience:

  • Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency, Inc.
  • Phelps Media Group
  • The Paris Review
  • La Unidad Latina Foundation

Douglas 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Dedicated to clarifying and amplifying the creative voices of emerging and established authors.

Genres: Contemporary Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits, Non-Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Short Story, Biographies & Memoirs, Finance & Accounting, Math & Science, and Computers & Internet.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Rowman & Littlefield
  • TPR Press

Jillian 5 star rating

Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Random House editor of prize-winning literary fiction, bestselling commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction. Affordable and friendly!

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Short Story, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Coming of Age, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Penguin Random House
  • The Clegg Agency

Laurel 5 star rating

Portland, ME, USA

I am an experienced editor specializing in K–12 education, memoir, and other nonfiction.

Genres: Education & Reference, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Travel, Humanities & Social Sciences, Poetry, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Solution Tree Press
  • Marzano Resources
  • The Creator Institute

Ally 5 star rating

St. Louis, MO, USA

Experienced copyeditor and proofreader with a background in independent, literary, and academic publishing.

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Non-Fiction, Humanities & Social Sciences, Contemporary Fiction, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

  • David R. Godine, Publisher
  • Yale University

Aaron 5 star rating

Buffalo, NY, USA

Editor in Chief of an art & lit website and English educator who loves all forms of creative writing—both poetry and prose.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Nature, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Writing & Publishing, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • SUNY Erie
  • Wild Roof Journal
  • Hawkes Learning
  • Ohlinger Publishing Services
  • The Closed Eye Open

Talin 5 star rating

New Haven, CT, USA

Poet and editor specializing in poetry with over 10 years of experience editing for top literary journals

Genres: Poetry and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • The Yale Review
  • The Adroit Journal

Christina 5 star rating

Portland, OR, USA

Thoughtful, thorough, and insightful Christian theology editor for 14 years. Globally-minded seminary graduate. K–adult educator.

Genres: Christian Non-Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Non-Fiction, Poetry, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Clatsop Community College
  • Fuller Writing Center
  • Tillamook Bay Community College
  • Judson International School

Mark 5 star rating

Philadelphia, PA, USA

I'm a professional editor, writer, and poet. Assisting others with their writing and creative endeavors is extremely meaningful to me.

Genres: Poetry and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Schuylkill Valley Journal
  • Cleaver Magazine

Jeff 5 star rating

Portland, OR, USA

Dynamic, best-selling writer in multiple genres providing developmental editing, copy editing, manuscript evaluations, and book coaching.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Literary Fiction, Writing & Publishing, Non-Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Music, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Contemporary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Fonograf Editions
  • various universities
  • Independent Publishing Resource Center
  • Dikembe Press
  • Prairie Schooner

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Hire the best poetry developmental editors

So you’ve written your verses, you’ve counted your meters, and you’ve sprinkled your alliterations and you’re ready to take your poetry to the next level? Hire a poetry developmental editor, who can help you hone in on your themes, sharpen your imagery, and define your voice.

Developmental editing looks slightly different when it comes to poetry than fiction or nonfiction. On Reedsy’s marketplace, you can filter your searches and create shortlists for editors who have the specific expertise you’re looking for, as well as years of experience working with both indie authors and traditional publishers. Sign up for a free account today to get in touch with our professionals.

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Step 2

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Step 3

Request quotes

Request quotes from up to five freelancers at any time. They’ll look at your sample pages to give you a tailored quote as well as a sense of how they work.

Step 4

Collaborate

Once you agree on terms and a timeline, you’ll start collaborating using the many communication and editing tools available on Reedsy.