The best poetry book developmental editing services

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Gene 5 star rating

Houston, United States

Creative, experienced editor of novels, children's books, and poetry. Let's prepare your manuscript for publication together.

Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, Middle Grade, Children's, Comics & Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Poetry, and Literary Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Uptown Stories
  • Simon & Schuster
  • Scholastic
  • HarperEntertainment
  • Daniel Weiss Associates/17th Street Productions
  • Denver Quarterly
  • San Jacinto College South

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

Amanda 5 star rating

Charlottesville, VA, USA

Independent press cofounder, experienced editor, insightful reader. Edits literary and genre fiction at all stages of development.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Horror, Thriller & Suspense, Psychological Thriller, LGBTQ Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, Coming of Age, and Science Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Independent Press
  • C&R Press
  • Virginia Tech
  • Freelance

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

Emily 5 star rating

Waipahu, HI, USA

Nonfiction and Poetry Editor | I help writers publish their books with confidence and intention 🌱 | Spirituality | Self-help | Science

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Self-Help & Self-Improvement, Non-Fiction, New Age, Health & Wellbeing, Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences, Math & Science, Nature, Religion & Spirituality, and Life Sciences.

Work experience:

  • New Degree Press
  • Self-employed
  • LEGACY Magazine
  • Delta Literary Journal
  • The Baltimore Review
  • Berrett-Koehler Publishers
  • Tell Tell Poetry

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

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

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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

reid 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Editor with extensive experience at an independent small press, specializing in literary fiction and poetry.

Genres: Literary Fiction, Fiction, Poetry, Contemporary Fiction, LGBTQ Fiction, and Short Story.

Work experience:

  • Math Paper Press, BooksActually
  • The New School of Drama

Zack 5 star rating

Berkeley, CA, USA

Zack is a widely published writer and experienced editor. He has helped authors polish their work for more than two decades.

Genres: Anthologies, Fiction, Poetry, Literary Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, and Writing & Publishing.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Oppenheimer Investigations Group
  • Notre Dame de Namur University
  • Cornerstone Research
  • Various Master of Fine Arts Programs

Amy 5 star rating

St. Louis, MO, USA

Children's book specialist with over 35 years of experience and 75+ books published. Clients include HarperCollins, Scholastic, and Disney.

Genres: Picture Books, Children's, Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry.

Work experience:

  • HarperCollins Children's Books
  • Stony Brook University
  • Studio Goodwin Sturges
  • Self-employed

Kelly 5 star rating

Phoenix, United States

I am passionate about the written word! I have 20 years of editing experience in all genres, with special attention to business and travel.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Business & Management, Non-Fiction, Travel, Poetry, and Mystery & Crime.

Work experience:

  • Immanence Journal
  • Gently Read Literature (GRL)
  • International Artist Publishing
  • Perseus Books Group
  • Self-employed

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

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.

Jenn 5 star rating

Olathe, KS, USA

Honest and caring editor. Passionate about helping authors succeed, with eight years in the professional literary world.

Genres: Coming of Age, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Mystery & Crime, Contemporary Romance, Romance, Historical Romance, Thriller & Suspense, Women's Fiction, and Poetry.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • TouchPoint Press

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

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

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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.

How it works

Browse profiles, request quotes, then collaborate.

Step 1

Apply filters

Reedsy is home to thousands of professionals. Select the specific services you need and narrow your search based on your book’s genre and requirements.

Step 2

Browse

Then, browse professional profiles to find out more about their personalities and past projects.

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.