Thanks to my dear friend, David Fields, who graciously laid punch-up editing work on me from CA, I was offline for several days, but now I’m back and in a thoughtful, giving mood. These moods don’t always last long, and it’s a freebie, so read on!!
The editing gig gave me great confidence in my skills – it also reminded me that, when I read your poetry (as when you read mine and let me know), typos are easily missed… and my OCD kicks into a new, extremely useful gear.
SO, POETIC FRIENDS – if you are about to submit a poem for publication; if you are worried about the format of your cover letter; or if you just need that “second pair of eyes,” which are so valuable before sending your work to seasoned editors, USE ME. FOR FREE.
Send me up to three poems (.doc or .docx are fine), and I can email you back my proofs with changes which you may accept or reject, and it’s all free. (If I get deluged, I may start charging, but I’d announce well in advance – and the money will go toward my fund to attend the Dodge Poetry Festival next year.) Included with the three poems are cover letters and biographies. If it’s a full chapbook, I’ll charge $5 per manuscript up to 25 poems; just sent a check.
You can also “snail-mail” me your documents with a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and they will be returned to you (hopefully without lots of bloody red ink all over them!).
Amy Barlow Liberatore
email: sharplittlepencil AT gmail DOT com
snail: 1626 Fordem Avenue, #102, Madison, WI 53704
My poetry will commence tomorrow. I simply feel the need to give back to all the wonderful folks who have given me a glimpse of their souls, their whimsy, their dark sides… because rose buds or rusty, jagged edges, you all write your LIVES. I love that about each and every one of you.
Peace, Amy
Sharp Little Pencil 
Mike Patrick
I’m glad your back. In only that short time, I missed our repartee.
Now, I’ll be sending you my first 300 poems. Could you edit and have them back by Saturday?
While I jest, you could be inundated. Good luck.
Sharp Little Pencil
If I am inundated, I will let folks know about time lag.
Bring it on, big boy. Let’s see… if I will edit a 25-page chapbook for $5, that would make the 300 poems… CHRISTMAS!!
Hee hee, Amy
California Ink in Motion
You are really a sweetheart aren’t you? Happy to know someone like you lives out there. Such Kindness!
Sharp Little Pencil
I mean it, Ms. L. Ms. L toe at Christmas.
I really mean it. I want ALL of us to shine with editors everywhere! Love, Amy
Old Raven
My goodness … how generous you are!
Sharp Little Pencil
So glad to do it; I hope folks take the offer seriously. Thanks, hon. Amy
Pat Hatt
Aren’t you being so nice, helping those with your ocd vice. I know with rhyming not so much a typo but structure at times, but people get the point of my chimes, so I don’t get hung up on that, unlike the book by Pat. That’s where my ocd kicked in, have fun I feared you may get flooded, watch out for that word FREE..haha
Sharp Little Pencil
Pat, see Mike Patrick’s comment below. Ha ha ha, Amy
Roger Green
our ewe realy az gud az ewe sai ewe arr at editting?
Sharp Little Pencil
im sooooooo like serius abut this deel;
and yess im a rilly rilly gud editer. asque ennybuddy.
Amy
kaykuala
Amy, good to have you back, Ma’am, all fired up!
Hank
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Hank. Fired up? Ya think? LOL Amy
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, hon, and please do take me up on it! Amy
contemplativemoorings
I’ve been considering putting together a book of short stories and story poems…I could use all the editing help I can get…If it’s free anyway 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Like I said, if it’s 25 or more poems (or pages, in the case of a collection of stories), I’ll do it for $5. Take me up on it – I have OCD, and in this case it comes in handy, LOL.
Judith
Thanks for the offer Amy. My poetry isn’t anywhere near good enough to submit for publication. 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Keep working at it. Someday you’ll find it singing to you – then you will know it’s time! Poetry is like any other muscle; one must keep is flexed. Thanks, Amy
Tilly Bud
What a lovely offer, Amy!
Glad to see you back.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Linda. Fighting the flu now, but still happy to be here! Amy
jannie funster
that’s totally cool and generous, Ann!
At one time I did think (like, 20 years ago,) I’d submit poems for publication. Then I didn’t write much poetry for a long while.
But now, I am totally fulfilled sharing on-line with y’all. Blogging is The Best!!
Have an awesome day.
Sharp Little Pencil
Jannie, I’m the same way… but when I held the first Poets United Anthology volume in my hands (like the Awakenings Review), that tangible nature, seeing the name in print alongside so many other talented poets, it really gave me confidence.
I also have a HUGE file of rejection letters. I look at them with pride: At least, I made the effort. But if blogging is enough for you, go for it, babe!! Amy