MENTORSHIP & EDITORIAL
MENTORSHIP:
Beyond my role as an educator, I am very interested in working with writers who are seeking short-term (under 1yr), project based mentorships, in particular for writers working in fiction (novels or stories, including graphic novels) or poetry (putting together a collection), but I am very open to the idea of working with writers of hybrid-forms. I am very friendly to genre-fiction, but I may not be as familiar with certain genres to be the best fit depending on the kinds of mentor feedback you are seeking.
What these mentorships usually look like is this: at the beginning, I will assess your manuscript, and offer an initial round of editorial feedback. Following that, we will have check-ins for accountability and support (either via email, phone, or video call) as you work with that feedback, during which time I may assess the manuscript in parts (should need be). Near the end of our term, I will assess the manuscript in full once more. At this point, I will offer suggestions on how to move forward, and make any recommendations for where I think you should consider sending your work once you have deemed it ready.
The cost of such a mentorship relationship depends on many factors: the project (length and genre), the timing of our mentorship relationship (some seasons are much busier for me), and the financial situation of the mentee. I am not opposed to offering mentorship for low-cost or even free, provided there is a clear sense that we would be a good fit, should you have substantial financial barriers and should there be ample space for me to take on such work at low or no cost.
There is no requirement for your having had any previous education in writing, or any previous education at all, and I am very happy to work with writers that have chosen to avoid higher education altogether. The only pre-requisite to working together is that you are serious about writing, and serious about working on your project during our time together, and that you sincerely believe (and I agree) that I would be a good fit for you.
For background: I have taught creative writing at various levels since 2014, and have been regularly teaching for work since 2018. Mentorship has always been the part of this work that has been the most rewarding for me, and the most productive for my mentees. I have done mentorships, as well, through AWP as well as privately—both formally and informally. If you want to work together, and wish to talk to a former mentee of mine, I would be more than happy to connect you. I am also doing more freelance editorial work, and have edited poetry books for Arsenal Pulp Press, and fiction for Book*hug.
IF YOU RESIDE IN CANADA, or otherwise have access to Professional Development funds (which some employers offer) or other grant funding for this kind of work (which is more common in the US than direct funding for artists), I highly recommend researching these as ways to potentially cover our work together. These sorts of grants are often smaller and easier to access. There are likely several levels of grants in Canada particularly that you could possibly use (I am a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada, which has some programs that could help support this work together). Bodies like the Canada Council for the Arts may also allow you to receive funds to sustain yourself during this time as well as to employ me.
EDITORIAL
Beyond mentorship, I am also interested in more editorial clients. I currently edit poetry for Contemporary Verse 2 and Bear Review, and have edited books for both Arsenal Pulp Press and Book*hug.
My proficiency is in structural and developmental editing, though I do a lot of line work as well (but I don’t purport to offer copy or proof editing). I tend to try and preserve the author’s voice rather than overwork in the miniature, while at the same time making the work more effective and efficient.
I am particularly suited to editing fiction (prose or graphic) and poetry, as they are my main mediums of writing, but if you are working on something else and think I would be a good fit, feel free to reach out. I’m really open minded and adaptable.
So if you would like to receive feedback from me on your manuscript, without the ongoing mentorship relationship, or if you are a press looking for an editor, please reach out and let me know what your needs are, and what your budget for the work is, and why you think I’d be a good fit.