Poetry Editing Services
In poetry and life, I am interested in relationships—between form and function, between eye and ear, between the poem and the reader. I have published one full length poetry collection, The Spoons in the Grass are There to Dig a Moat (Sarabande Books, 2016), and four chapbooks of poetry. Recent poems, essayettes, and very short fiction have appeared in Sweet: A Literary Confection, F3LL Magazine, and StoryQuarterly.
I will read your work and ask how form and function play, what each lends, or what created frictions promote regarding the goals of the poem or across the manuscript as a whole. I’m also curious about the poem’s method of approach—on what it depends—image, sound, syntax, line, voice—and how this keystone is functioning for the poem.
In my own work sound-play continues to be significant. I will read your poems aloud to better understand the unit of rhythm (line, stanza, sentence, white space) utilized. Diction choices and attention to connotative meaning will also be examined—are you getting the most out of each word in terms of emotional impact, potential meaning, and precise image? Is the world of the poem well developed, by whatever means you have put to the task? Is the voice authentic to itself and coherent (or if not, is that intentional)?
Of importance too—is there a space for the reader in the poem? I often fear being too clear and find out frequently the opposite is taking place in my poems. I am interested in the reader’s access into psychological space, and into the partnership of meaning making.
SERVICES
Individual Poems
Line Edits for Single Poems: will focus on clarity, image, sensory experiences, and the line/sentence of measurement (prose poems). Is there room for the reader in the poem? How are we changed? Feedback will include what is working really well and suggestions for strengthening how any weaker areas.
Small Packet (5 pages): $70
Large Packet (10 pages): $135
Full Length Collections
(48-80 pages)
Standard: in-depth reading and evaluation of your manuscript: including suggestions for organization, individual poems to cut or ideas of which threads to further develop, title suggestions, and a list of works/poets to read which may be in conversation with your work. I will help you consider how the manuscript could be restructured to create an different reading experience. $280.
Expanded: includes the above, and line edits for each poem in the manuscript. $500.
Chapbooks
(20-35 pages)
Standard: in-depth reading and evaluation of your manuscript: including suggestions for organization, individual poems to cut or ideas of which threads to further develop, title suggestions, and a list of works/poets to read which may be in conversation with your work. I will help you consider how the manuscript could be restructured to create an different reading experience. $140.
Expanded: includes the above, and line edits for each poem in the manuscript. $280.
Something Else
Working on a micro chapbook? Something hybrid? I love the blur of tiny creative nonfiction, the weird short short story. If you have a need that doesn’t fit into these other boxes–please email me!
Testimonials:
“I wanted to reach out to express my gratitude toward your keen editor’s eye….I just want to say a big thank you to you, who is by far, the best editor of a manuscript I have ever had.” -2022
“Oh, my GOD. Thank you so much. Thank you for the book suggestions, the lit mag submission suggestions, but mostly for your close reading and attention to my questions…I know that art is subjective, but your suggestions all ring true to me and that is the best that a person can hope for.”-2022
“Your reading was smart and helpful. The manuscript has undergone significant revision, based in part on your suggestions.” -2022
“…thank you for your critical comments and kind words on my poems. Your insights really helped me to see clearly what I was trying to do with my poetry, and I believe it was this clarity that kept me writing through the years after.” -2021
“The manuscript consultation was helpful and encouraging. Amelia identified some of my poems that were not working well, and I was able to successfully revise them. I appreciated her positive comments very much as well. A pared-down version of my manuscript is going to be published in September…”-2018
“Your comments are enormously helpful. Just what I needed! It always helps to know what’s working, of course, and I appreciate knowing where you weren’t following. You are really good!” -2018
(Since 2017, I’ve offered consultations through Black Lawrence Press; these testimonials were gathered from my BLP clients. I highly encouraged you to check out BLP for other consultation opportunities!)
Amelia Martens 