Editing Services
Editorial Background
My editorial experience draws directly from my work as a writer in various genres and disciplines. I offer a keen eye for thematic development, tone, and clarity. My goal as an editor is to help you develop a manuscript that speaks to your lived experience and enchants your audience. By working with me, you will develop your own unique voice as you find a home for your writing.
My Services
In addition to my experience as an editor, I worked for four years as Coordinating Editor with Arc Poetry Magazine, and as a private mentor for Resilient Writers. I sit on the editorial board of several magazines, including Canthius and long con magazine, and in the past, Arc Poetry Magazine and In/Words Magazine, and use this knowledge in my editorial approach to help your work stand out. Additionally, I hold an MA in English from the University of Waterloo, and a BA in English from Carleton University.
In addition to my experience as an editor, I worked for four years as Coordinating Editor with Arc Poetry Magazine, and as a private mentor for Resilient Writers. I sit on the editorial board of several magazines, including Canthius and long con magazine, and in the past, Arc Poetry Magazine and In/Words Magazine, and use this knowledge in my editorial approach to help your work stand out. Additionally, I hold an MA in English from the University of Waterloo, and a BA in English from Carleton University.
I offer the following editorial services:
If you are interested in feedback and consultation for smaller batches of poems, please book me via Brick Books' Poetry Consultation Service.
As well, I offer virtual mentorship sessions for grant writing, marketing and promoting, organizing and funding book tours, and networking in the literary world.
Please get in touch via the form below to inquire about my rates and options.
If you are interested in combining editorial and illustration services, please indicate so in your query.
- Full length manuscripts
- Chapbook manuscripts
- Grant applications
- Individual essays and creative non-fiction
If you are interested in feedback and consultation for smaller batches of poems, please book me via Brick Books' Poetry Consultation Service.
As well, I offer virtual mentorship sessions for grant writing, marketing and promoting, organizing and funding book tours, and networking in the literary world.
Please get in touch via the form below to inquire about my rates and options.
If you are interested in combining editorial and illustration services, please indicate so in your query.
Illustration Services
Everyone judges a book by its cover. As an artist, my goal is to pinpoint themes and motifs in your work and render them through visual language. We will collaborate to understand the emotion, colour, and tone you aim to evoke in your work, resulting in eye-catching artwork that helps your book stand out on a shelf.
I provide art services for the following in full colour and black and white. I work in watercolours, acrylics, and digital art:
Please get in touch via the form below to inquire about my rates and options.
If you are interested in combining editorial and illustration services, please indicate so in your query.
See below for samples of my work, or view my portfolio.
I provide art services for the following in full colour and black and white. I work in watercolours, acrylics, and digital art:
- Cover art (books, chapbooks, albums)
- Interior illustrations
Please get in touch via the form below to inquire about my rates and options.
If you are interested in combining editorial and illustration services, please indicate so in your query.
See below for samples of my work, or view my portfolio.
Testimonials
"I had the honour of working with Manahil as a mentor, editor, and illustrator for my chapbook A Girl’s Favourite Colour. This was my first time putting together a poetry collection, and Manahil was so helpful with explaining the publication process (ex: print runs, intellectual property rights, and marketing timelines). Manahil truly embodies the role of a mentor, and my writing flourished under her care. Our editing sessions allowed me to develop my understanding of form, storytelling, and manuscript curation. We also worked together to design a beautiful and eye-catching cover that perfectly embodies the themes of my chapbook. I would highly recommend working with Manahil for any of your editorial or illustration needs!"
—Lisa Shen, Mississauga Youth Poet Laureate 2023-2025 and author of A Girl’s Favourite Colour (Ansruther Press, 2024)
"When I was unsure of whether a collection of poems would cohere, Manahil was able to identify and articulate the themes, echoes, and overall tone of the manuscript that would end up as my chapbook 320 lines of poetry (counting blank lines). Even the title of the chapbook was a suggestion from Manahil, which called back to a poem within the manuscript, and it perfectly encapsulated my poetic voice. If a manuscript assessment is meant to help an author determine the strengths and weaknesses of their project, Manahil delivers with grace, experience, and assurance."
—Chris Johnson, Managing Editor of Arc Poetry Magazine and author of 320 lines of poetry (counting blank lines) (Anstruther Press, 2023)
"I have gone to Manahil for feedback on countless poems and short stories at this point, and I have never been disappointed! Her editorial style is incisive, cutting to the heart of any problem areas, but always honouring your intentions; she can see what that heart is yearning for, but perhaps not quite getting at. I trust Manahil with my work again and again—you should too!"
—Conyer Clayton, Editor and author of But the sun, and the ships, and the fish, and the waves. (Anvil Press, 2022)
"I loved working with Manahil Bandukwala. Her illustrations and art designs are evocative, expressive, and full of character, and she possesses the craft to realize some extraordinary concepts. Furthermore, she is flexible, enthusiastic, and easy to collaborate with, and is comfortable with modifying her artistic vision based on further conversation with the client. I highly recommend this exceptionally talented artist!"
—Kevin Wilks Lau, composer of The Seeker
—Lisa Shen, Mississauga Youth Poet Laureate 2023-2025 and author of A Girl’s Favourite Colour (Ansruther Press, 2024)
"When I was unsure of whether a collection of poems would cohere, Manahil was able to identify and articulate the themes, echoes, and overall tone of the manuscript that would end up as my chapbook 320 lines of poetry (counting blank lines). Even the title of the chapbook was a suggestion from Manahil, which called back to a poem within the manuscript, and it perfectly encapsulated my poetic voice. If a manuscript assessment is meant to help an author determine the strengths and weaknesses of their project, Manahil delivers with grace, experience, and assurance."
—Chris Johnson, Managing Editor of Arc Poetry Magazine and author of 320 lines of poetry (counting blank lines) (Anstruther Press, 2023)
"I have gone to Manahil for feedback on countless poems and short stories at this point, and I have never been disappointed! Her editorial style is incisive, cutting to the heart of any problem areas, but always honouring your intentions; she can see what that heart is yearning for, but perhaps not quite getting at. I trust Manahil with my work again and again—you should too!"
—Conyer Clayton, Editor and author of But the sun, and the ships, and the fish, and the waves. (Anvil Press, 2022)
"I loved working with Manahil Bandukwala. Her illustrations and art designs are evocative, expressive, and full of character, and she possesses the craft to realize some extraordinary concepts. Furthermore, she is flexible, enthusiastic, and easy to collaborate with, and is comfortable with modifying her artistic vision based on further conversation with the client. I highly recommend this exceptionally talented artist!"
—Kevin Wilks Lau, composer of The Seeker
