The best poetry book developmental editing services

Sign up for free to meet top developmental editors on Reedsy

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

Jenn 5 star rating

Olathe, KS, USA

Honest and caring editor. Passionate about helping authors succeed, with ten 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

John 5 star rating

Los Angeles, CA, USA

Writer/editor with 10 years experience editing scholarly books and journal articles in literary studies, art history, and architecture.

Genres: Architecture, Non-Fiction, Art, Humanities & Social Sciences, Philosophy, Poetry, and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Large museum/cultural institution in Los Angeles
  • large museum/cultural institution in Los Angeles
  • Self-employed

Staci 5 star rating

Raleigh, NC, USA

Your story matters. Literary editor with 10+ years in memoir, essays & poetry. I help writers bring honesty and craft to the page.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Short Story, Biographies & Memoirs, and Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

  • The Sun Magazine
  • NC State Magazine
  • NC State University College of Design
  • American Veterinary Medical Association
  • Broadside Literary Arts Magazine
  • Northern Illinois University
  • Sauk Valley Media

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

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

Christina 5 star rating

Portland, OR, USA

Thoughtful, thorough, and insightful Christian theology editor for 17 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

📞 Chat with our team

Need a hand finding the perfect professional? Our team is here to help. Get in touch for recommendations.

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

Aaron 5 star rating

Buffalo, NY, USA

I am Editor in Chief of a literary publication and former English professor 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

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

Douglas 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

I help writers understand and develop their instincts — reflecting craft back, placing it in context, and refining it with honest advice.

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
  • River Avenue Digital

Dakota 5 star rating

New York, NY, USA

Seasoned editor & published writer with a passion for literature & language—in particular: 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

Val 5 star rating

Las Vegas, NV, USA

Literary Agent, acquiring editor, & author with 10+ years of experience specializing in character-driven storytelling and romance.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, LGBTQ Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, LGBTQ Non-Fiction, Romance, and Thriller & Suspense.

Work experience:

  • Row House Publishing
  • Self-employed
  • Tessera Editorial
  • Poetry International and Fiction International
  • Luminary Publishing
  • D4EO Literary Agency

John 5 star rating

Fort Collins, CO, USA

Seasoned, communicative manuscript editor

Genres: Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Political Science & Current Affairs, Humanities & Social Sciences, Buddhism, Religion & Spirituality, Poetry, Fiction, History, Philosophy, Sociology, and Music.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • Raritan: A Quarterly Review, New Brunswick, NJ
  • English Department, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  • Undergraduate Writing Center, University of Texas, Austin, TX
  • English Department, Miami University, Oxford, OH
  • Lubbock Meditation, Lubbock, TX
  • Programs for Academic Support Services, Texas Tech University

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

Sam Rose 5 star rating

Portland, OR, USA

Lyric or narrative, explorations of identity, family, grief or love—I'm excited to read your poetry and help make it the best it can be.

Genres: Poetry and Fiction.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

Jeff 5 star rating

Portland, OR, USA

Dynamic, multi-genre writer/editor providing professional 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

Browse 2,000+ additional profiles

Create your free Reedsy account and begin requesting free quotes.

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.

Reedsy | Developmental editing — find the gem | 2024-09

Find the gem in your early draft

The best developmental editors in the industry are on Reedsy. Come meet them.