The best poetry book developmental editing services

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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

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

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

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

Michael 5 star rating

Grass Lake, MI, USA

Editor and consultant. Theology, spirituality, philosophy, and literary works (poetry, fiction, sci-fi/fantasy). Worked with Angelico Press.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Biographies & Memoirs, Non-Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Anthologies, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Humanities & Social Sciences, and New Age.

Work experience:

  • Self-employed

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

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

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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

Val 5 star rating

Las Vegas, NV, USA

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

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Picture Books, Children's, Coming of Age, LGBTQ Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romantic Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult, and LGBTQ Non-Fiction.

Work experience:

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

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

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

developmental & copy editor of fiction & poetry | 20+ years experience published novelist & poet | book production & publishing expertise

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Humanities & Social Sciences, Non-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction, and Religion & Spirituality.

Work experience:

  • W. W. Norton
  • Self-employed

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

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

David 5 star rating

Durham, NC, USA

15+ years editing for an award-winning literary magazine. I help writers shape their work with clarity and care.

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

Work experience:

  • Self-employed
  • The Sun magazine

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

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

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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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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.

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