Kristin Gustafson

Kristin Gustafson – Editor

I'm a published poet who wants to make your writing sing. I specialize in copyediting and proofreading fiction and poetry.

Overview

My love for editing comes from a love of language and a passion for helping authors. As an author and poet, I know how daunting it can be to share your work with others. That is why I am committed to offering my clients a collaborative editing experience, where I support them every step of the way.


I started editing in 2017 as the Assistant Editor of Poetry for Quiz & Quill Magazine. In that position, I helped the Poetry Editor select pieces for print. Outside the magazine, I revised and provided suggestions for countless poems, short stories, plays, and essays in my hands-on writing courses.


I started my freelance editing career in December 2018; I edited everything from blog posts to articles to poetry manuscripts. I was hired as a Marketing and Revisions Editor for New Degree Press in June 2020, where I edited over a dozen manuscripts (including poetry collections, novels, and nonfiction books).


My poetry has been published or is forthcoming in ALOCASIA, Anti-Heroin Chic, the Bitchin' Kitsch, Bullshit Lit, Cartridge Lit, Cleveland Scene Magazine, Coffee People Zine, Contemporary Verse 2, Gone Lawn, Gordon Square Review, HAD, LEVITATE Magazine, Meniscus Literary Journal, Misery Tourism, Moss Puppy Magazine, Open Minds Quarterly, Progenitor Art & Literary Journal, The Quarter(ly), Quiz and Quill Magazine, Soliloquies Anthology, Something Involving a Mailbox!, Troublemaker Firestarter, and Y2K Magazine.

Services
Fiction
Action & Adventure Fantasy Poetry Romance Science Fiction
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Contemporary Verse 2's 2023 2-Day-Poem Contest: 2nd Place
  • Literary Cleveland Breakthrough Writing Resident 2023-2024
  • Finalist in Gordon Square Review's Blackout Poetry Contest
Certifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Creative Writing (2019)

Work experience

Gordon Square Review

Feb, 2022 — Jun, 2023 (over 1 year)

As one of three volunteer poetry readers, I helped the poetry editor select the best poems for publication via Submittable.

New Degree Press

Jun, 2020 — May, 2022 (almost 2 years)

I coordinated editing, proofreading, cover design, interior layout, and marketing efforts for each author. Over the course of five-month sessions, I offered personalized developmental, line, and copy edits, deadline reminders, and marketing support to each of my authors via Zoom and written communication. During my two years at NDP, I helped over 20 authors raise over $125,000 toward their publishing costs.

Self-employed

Dec, 2018 — Present

I specialize in editing poetry and fantasy/science-fiction novels. My services include line editing, copyediting, and proofreading.

The Comic Book Project

Sep, 2018 — Dec, 2018 (3 months)

I taught middle school students how to create comic books from start to finish; I offered editing suggestions as students requested them.

Quiz & Quill Literary Magazine

Aug, 2018 — May, 2019 (9 months)

I assisted the Poetry Editor in selecting poems for publication and assisted in selecting fiction and nonfiction pieces for the magazine as necessary.

Wexner Center for the Arts

Aug, 2018 — Nov, 2018 (3 months)

I curated a syllabus and taught 6th-grade classes about the fundamentals of poetry and storytelling. I offered editing suggestions as students requested them.

Otterbein University

Jan, 2016 — Apr, 2019 (about 3 years)

I read and edited dozens of poems, plays, essays, short stories, and scenes from novels for my peers as a part of Otterbein's Creative Writing program.

Portfolio

Kristin has 14 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Isaac L.

Isaac L.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Working with Kristin was wonderful. She was clear on expectations, timeline, and pricing. She delivered ahead of schedule, and her work was thorough, detailed, and very thoughtful. I will definitely be working with Kristin again!
Ramiz Firas J.

Ramiz Firas J.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
Kristin was a wonderful editor to work with! She was extremely kind, on time, and provided quality feedback that also helped me understand the art of writing poetry. She was patient with her explanations, she answered every question in detail, and she made my work pop in a way that I never expected it to! I am much more confident in my collection, as well as my skill as a writer after working w...
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David S.

David S.

Feb, 2023

Pinned
I've written a whole book and I still struggle to express how great Kristin is. Whatever you take out of this review, multiply it by--as my calculus teachers used to say--an arbitrarily large number. I'm uncharacteristically at a lack for words! Her mastery of grammar made my prose 100% better. I also learned a lot along the way. I didn't know about the difference between an ellipsis and an em...
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Jacquelyn M.

Jacquelyn M.

Aug, 2024

Kristin was wonderful to work with. She not only polished up my work but she made my pieces really come together and pop. She always replied in a timely fashion and answered all my questions with honesty and clarity. I’m grateful for working with her and will hopefully bring my second book to her!
Adora M.

Adora M.

Oct, 2023

I enjoyed working with Kristin. She helped me clean up some lines to help get my point across and to show me how to create the best impact.

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