Poetry

The Poetry Editor
    

The Poetry Editor
charges a small fee per double-spaced page or project for:

Poetry critiques
($5 or less per page with $25 minimum)

Critiques of brief poetic devotionals(same fee as poems)

Writing consult
for children’s picture book ($35) or book proposal package of full-length fiction or nonfiction for any age group ($125)


Final edit
only on final revisions of poems, devotional writings, or picture book text for kids


For more information on each service, click the related button to your upper left or the bottom of this page.


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Since 1983, The Poetry Editor has helped poets and writers to become their own best editors.

Self-publishing provides an increasingly popular option, but before you decide to self-publish, consider sending a batch of your poems, chapbook, poetry book, children’s picture book text, or book proposal to a traditional publishing company. How? Follow these steps taken by freelance poets and writers who have successful careers in writing for traditional markets:

• Notice who publishes the books, magazines, journals, or e-zines you like to read.

• Make a list of companies whose work seems most in line with yours.

• Find the website for each publisher and get a feel for their products and needs as you study the titles in their book lines and/ or the poems, stories, and articles they archive online.

• Carefully study and follow the writers' guidelines typically posted on each company's website.

• Submit your complete manuscript or batch of 3-5 poems to one editor at a time.

• Keep track of where and when you send your work. Wait 3 to 6 months before you follow up.

• While waiting to hear about one manuscript or batch of poems, start another.

• If the editor returns your submission, read your work aloud. Listen for rough spots. Revise as needed, then submit your poems or writings to the next publisher on your list.

• If you need help to know how to improve your poetry, read lots of poems and study the suggestions on this website, The Poetry Editor blog, and the book Poetry: Taking Its Course.

• If you want the professional opinion and personal feedback of a well-published poet and well-practiced poetry instructor, get a critique from The Poetry Editor.

• For help with a book proposal or children’s picture book, consider a writing consult.

• When you receive your critique from The Poetry Editor, follow suggestions and complete your final draft before you get a final edit. Hiring a freelance editor will rarely be needed if you market your work to a traditional publisher since they provide in-house editing at no charge. However, professional editing is vital to the overall quality of your book if you plan to self-publish.

©2009-2012, Mary Harwell Sayler
All Rights Reserved.
Do not use without her permission.