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.
- 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.
Testimonials
"Manahil’s editorial approach was both rigorous and generous. She didn’t impose changes but rather guided them, offering suggestions that felt organic to my intent. She asked questions that pushed the work toward greater clarity and resonance. Her understanding of line breaks and white space enhanced the musicality of the collection, ensuring that each poem breathed on the page. Her skill with form and experimentation allowed the manuscript to retain its individuality while becoming sharper, more cohesive, and more affecting. Beyond the technical aspects, Manahil brought a deep understanding of poetry’s emotional and intellectual layers. She engaged with the themes of the work in a way that made the editing process feel like a true collaboration rather than a critique. Her notes were insightful and encouraging, making even difficult revisions feel like discoveries. I loved working with Manahil and hope I will again. Any poet would be lucky to have her as an editor."
—Cornelia Hoogland, Full Manuscript Edit, 2025
"As an editor who required another set of eyes on my own work, I have to say that Manahil's expert edits on my poetry manuscript were, in short, exquisite. I've been working on the poems for a while now; the edits highlighted my path forward. Manahil's page-long comments were thorough and brought an enlightened understanding of the poems and their part in the narrative arc of my collection. All this was in addition to Manahil's encouragement. What expertise! Manahil is on my contact list now for any further projects."
—Sharon Lax, Manuscript Assessment, 2025
"When looking for an editor to help me with my book, I wanted someone honest enough to give useful editorial advice and supportive enough that they don't further the self-doubts which already plague me. Manahil Bandukwala was perfect. She highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript and helped clarify my thoughts regarding theme. She provided much needed structural edits, as well as line by line editing. Her comments are helping me bring the book to its full potential. I hope to work with her in the future as well, and I would recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone who needs any type of good editorial services."
—Tehmina Khan, Full Fiction/Non-Fiction Manuscript Edit, 2024
"I hired Manahil Bandukwala to do a substantive edit on a poetry manuscript. Her feedback was incredibly discerning and generous. In her timely responses she delineated the major themes, and found secondary ones as well, (which I had not noticed). Having her eyes and ears on the MS allowed me to see it in a fresh, new way. She has a light, but sure touch with editing, which is supportive without sacrificing honesty. It was a blessing to find her. Manahil had lots of positive things to say, but she did not shy away from highlighting areas to work on, sharing many tips drawn from her own experience with presses, and as a writer. I plan to hire her in the future. She is absolutely worth her fee."
—Mori McRae, Substantive Editing on Poetry Manuscript, 2024
"The overall quality of Manahil’s work is first rate. The suggestions were specific and always helpful. The comments not only made individual lines better but also assisted in expanding the overall meaning and logic of the poems. She also gave some precise examples to help me understand her poetic perspective, especially as it relates to the understanding of the audience...I received a great deal of feedback, from helpful general comments to absolutely excellent specific suggestions...There were no gaps in her analysis. She not only covered the basics but also challenged me to explore some new approaches to my work. She obviously has a great poetic sensibility that she easily applied to my work...She got the work back to me very quickly, which is surprising since she really put a lot of time into reading, understanding, and analyzing my work...Manahil is a thoroughly professional editor with a sympathetic attitude and all the technical skills to encourage writers to perfect their work, and I much appreciated her approach."
—Jim MacDonald, Brick Books Poetry Consultation Service, 2024
"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
—Cornelia Hoogland, Full Manuscript Edit, 2025
"As an editor who required another set of eyes on my own work, I have to say that Manahil's expert edits on my poetry manuscript were, in short, exquisite. I've been working on the poems for a while now; the edits highlighted my path forward. Manahil's page-long comments were thorough and brought an enlightened understanding of the poems and their part in the narrative arc of my collection. All this was in addition to Manahil's encouragement. What expertise! Manahil is on my contact list now for any further projects."
—Sharon Lax, Manuscript Assessment, 2025
"When looking for an editor to help me with my book, I wanted someone honest enough to give useful editorial advice and supportive enough that they don't further the self-doubts which already plague me. Manahil Bandukwala was perfect. She highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript and helped clarify my thoughts regarding theme. She provided much needed structural edits, as well as line by line editing. Her comments are helping me bring the book to its full potential. I hope to work with her in the future as well, and I would recommend her wholeheartedly to anyone who needs any type of good editorial services."
—Tehmina Khan, Full Fiction/Non-Fiction Manuscript Edit, 2024
"I hired Manahil Bandukwala to do a substantive edit on a poetry manuscript. Her feedback was incredibly discerning and generous. In her timely responses she delineated the major themes, and found secondary ones as well, (which I had not noticed). Having her eyes and ears on the MS allowed me to see it in a fresh, new way. She has a light, but sure touch with editing, which is supportive without sacrificing honesty. It was a blessing to find her. Manahil had lots of positive things to say, but she did not shy away from highlighting areas to work on, sharing many tips drawn from her own experience with presses, and as a writer. I plan to hire her in the future. She is absolutely worth her fee."
—Mori McRae, Substantive Editing on Poetry Manuscript, 2024
"The overall quality of Manahil’s work is first rate. The suggestions were specific and always helpful. The comments not only made individual lines better but also assisted in expanding the overall meaning and logic of the poems. She also gave some precise examples to help me understand her poetic perspective, especially as it relates to the understanding of the audience...I received a great deal of feedback, from helpful general comments to absolutely excellent specific suggestions...There were no gaps in her analysis. She not only covered the basics but also challenged me to explore some new approaches to my work. She obviously has a great poetic sensibility that she easily applied to my work...She got the work back to me very quickly, which is surprising since she really put a lot of time into reading, understanding, and analyzing my work...Manahil is a thoroughly professional editor with a sympathetic attitude and all the technical skills to encourage writers to perfect their work, and I much appreciated her approach."
—Jim MacDonald, Brick Books Poetry Consultation Service, 2024
"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
