1:1 Poetry Review
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What happens when 35 years of writing, editing, and teaching poetry meets your draft?
Breakthroughs.

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If you wish you had private, 1:1 access to a poetry instructor who could expertly guide you to the next stage of your draft, this is your chance.
 
Send me 1-4 poems (1 poem per page and no more than 8 pages total) and you’ll receive a private lesson with detailed feedback that puts all of my experience in teaching, editing, and publishing at your disposal.
 
You will receive:

• In-depth written feedback on your pages
• A 30-minute call with me to ask questions, talk through what works, what doesn’t, and what could work better
• A clear path forward for how to revise your drafts​​

I’ve been writing and teaching poetry for a long time, so I know how valuable personal feedback is, and how limited it can be in a class setting. Individual attention is at a premium, even more so from an instructor who is truly invested in your growth and success as a writer.
 
My 1:1 Poetry Review is designed to give you the personal feedback that can elevate your work to new heights for profound impact. We can also tailor these conversations to include suggestions for how to share your poetry, and where might be a good fit.

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Schedule our 1:1 here

$150 Per Set

Click the link and you’ll be asked to schedule our 30-minute call 10-14 days from today. After you’ve set our call time, I will email you for your drafts.

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Praise

• “Melanie sparkles as a teacher, bringing the complex world of poetry to life, pushing her students toward the full potential of poetry as a vital art. Her feedback was demanding but very, very helpful.”
  

• "Doing this work with you...I'm being more bold. I can check it out with someone who'll give me an honest assessment."

• “Thank you so much for your wonderful instruction about poetry. I am amazed by the amount I learned. I am so grateful for your high expectations….I am especially thankful for your thoughtful comments and readings of my work and others. I will cherish your comments as I go forward.”

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About Me

I've been writing poems, and mentoring poets with their own poetry, for decades. My poems, essays, and reviews have been published in dozens of literary journals, including The Iowa Review, Nimrod, The Rumpus, and the Academy of American Poets. My award-winning poetry collection, Trace  was named one of the 7 Best Indie Poetry Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews. I have an MFA in Poetry and have won many recognitions for my writing - including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The McKnight and Jerome Foundations, and grants from the Maryland State Arts Council, the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, and others. 
 
For 35 years, I have taught writing workshops for adults and young people in literary writing centers, university classrooms and elementary schools, ​prisons and juvenile detention centers, and youth, art, and health organizations. I have received awards for Excellence in Teaching from The Loft Literary Center, the University of Utah, and the Jerome Foundation. ​I currently teach workshops at The Writer's Center, Hugo House, The Loft Literary Center, as well as at regional book festivals and in private homes in the DC area.