I offer professional, Friendly, & thorough conversations & critiques on poetry, short fiction, & hybrid works. I also work with artists of all varieties developing writing that may help further their ambitions - assisting with artist statements and applications. My variety of Editorial services can be combined in a number of ways - it all depends on your needs! simply scroll down to review my services & fill in the query form!
some TESTIMONIALS ! :
— “I have now hired Sophie twice, and this time was a continuation of the work I had already hired her for (helping me shape up and edit a poetry collection). As usual, her insights are helpful, and her love of poetry shines through on her every comment….she is able to artfully pool from her cultivated web of information and apply it directly to my work, managing to exceed my high expectations in the process. Would highly recommend to anyone!”
— “Sophie’s critiques were straightforward and displayed mastery of poetry. She went above and beyond to provide additional materials and recommended readings to improve my craft.”
- “Sophie helped me polish my MFA application. I deeply appreciated the transparency and ease of communicating with her in advance about pricing and timing, such that our mutual expectations were clear and simple. Her objective and supportive eye helped me submit a much stronger and more professional application than the draft I started with. I got accepted into two prestigious programs, and learned a lot about how to communicate about my work with the professional poetry world. Her extremely reasonable fee will continue to pay off in the months and years to come, as I now have a solid blueprint for an artist statement to use in myriad future projects.”
—”Superb editing, very kind and open in communication. Sophie gives honest feedback that can be clearly understood, as well as sound guidance regarding the publishing world.”
literary editing & Manuscript consultations
Close Reading of Poems: $70 for 2-3 pages (12 point font, one poem per page only). (You may add on a one hour follow-up Zoom call for an additional $60): A careful offering of line edits and paragraph of criticism addressing your poems as a group.
Poetry Manuscript Review with Line Edits: $500 for 25-40 pages (chapbook-length); $550 for 48-70 pages, $625 for 70-90 pages: A thorough look at your arranged manuscript, with line edits and a letter of at least one page addressing form, order, craft, intention, tone, and other elements regarding individual poems. This offering includes a half-hour phone call follow-up to review comments and talk about what your next step might be.
Fiction, Non-Fiction and Hybrid Works: For rates, query with an introduction to your work, details of your project, and what you’re looking for!
office hours
As someone who deeply believes in the benefits of one-on-one mentorship, I offer conversation and consultations for anyone who’d like to get a fresh eye on their work or insight into the world of poetry. Not everyone has the time to take a class, or even is interested in taking one! But maybe you have an active writing life, and desire an encouraging and objective eye to take a look at your work. Perhaps it’s simply been awhile since anyone read your poetry, and you’re a little nervous to share. Maybe you’re curious about meter, but have never found a way to put it into practice. Office Hours can approach all these concerns and curiosities. This can be expanded into a weekly service if desired, expanded time-wise, and/or made as content-specific as you like, for example, working on a particular craft element. Write to me describing your interest and we’ll get started !
OFFICE HOURS, Option #1 : Imagine walking into the office of an approachable professor & showing them a poem or two on the spot for feedback, and / or asking questions about publishing, MFA programs, post-MFA life, residencies, etcetera. One hour fee: $60
OFFICE HOURS, Option #2: Send me 3 pages of poetry to critique! ( Standard 12 pt. font, 1 poem to page, or number totaling in 3 pages). You will receive careful line edits with an accompanying email on the poems in general, and one hour long call to be used as you wish! ! Fee: $125
More about office hour choices: Office hours may be scheduled ahead of time for up to 3 hours. After the first hour, dependent upon availability, on-the-spot extensions may be made in half hour increments ($25).
submission management (for poets)
Want to get your writing out there, but bewildered about where to begin? Are you a seasoned writer who would like to get the task of submissions finally off your plate? Whatever your situation is, I’d love to assist you! My submission services are focused on the best interests, hopes, and goals of each individual client; submission services are not a one-size-fits-all story! Query below to start conversation, where we figure out how I can best help meet your needs. Hourly fee (after consult): $55.
If you are a writer just starting out with publishing poetry and have questions specific to that arena only, I offer a half-hour Q & A / general directive / encouragement etcetera on that part of the poetry business in a half hour Zoom call: $25.
Artist Statements, applications, and more:
For visual artists, writers, and musicians, crafting a statement about one’s work can feel awkward or intimidating, especially if it is for an important application towards a fellowship or job or grant, etcetera. I can help you through the process of presenting a true representation of your work—in your voice—in a manner tailored to your desired audience. I have worked with a wide variety of experiences: from artists in their early careers, applying to graduate schools and still finding their methods/mediums, to those who have received NEA or Guggenheim grants and shown their work internationally. My assistance is always discreet; my role in any kind of individual’s process is not that of a ghostwriter, but a hands-on guide. Hourly rate: $50