Editing & Manuscript Critique Services:
I work with poetry and nonfiction writers as an editor and writing coach. I offer a variety of services, including: manuscript critique in poetry, manuscript shaping and development in nonfiction, and editing of artist and grant applications.
Experienced in writing across disciplines, I think strategically about story, form, audience, and creative process. My approach is grounded in curiosity and the deep belief that our stories matter. I also bring training in poetry therapy and writing with an eye to healing. Please contact me at mori0181@umn.edu for a consult.
Manuscript critique in poetry is tailored to your needs and includes a big picture review with an eye to ordering, narrative arc or thematic cohesion, and line edits.
Global critique in nonfiction (essay or book-length) is tailored to your needs and includes a big picture review of elements such as theme, voice, ordering, and form.
Developmental editing in nonfiction provides more intensive focus on elements such as content and story, organization, voice, and form.
Final editing is for a writing project in the later stages of revision. I work with you on the details of paragraphs, transitions, and sentence-level line edits.
Testimonials:
“Print out every page, pore over every word, and call Rachel Moritz! Those are my ritual steps for taking a book across the finish line. Rachel excels at grasping both the bird-eye’s view of a project and its acute details. She has experience working across poetry and prose, navigating both traditional and experimental structure. She brings a poet’s ear, a sharp mind, a kind heart, and a steady hand to each project. Rachel can help you materialize your book from start to polish. “ -Gabrielle Civil, author of Experiments in Joy (2019) and the déja vu (2022)
“Rachel provided both support and expert guidance that allowed me to continue pursuing my project and present it in the most professional and engaging way possible. She has a flexible attitude and was willing to help me exactly how I needed and to provide a helpful, balanced perspective of both support and constructive criticism. My project became much stronger once she was involved and the final product was much more polished due to her hard work.” –Caryn Polito, author of Peaceful Medicine (2015)
“Rachel did a fantastic job editing my poetry manuscript. She was easy to work with, answered all of my questions, and provided thoughtful feedback that helped me improve the manuscript as a whole. I felt like she ‘got’ my work, and offered valuable suggestions to increase both the energy and focus of the writing. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for help with editing.” –Erica Skog, poet