Editing & Mentoring

I have limited spots available for manuscript consultations, editing, and mentoring. I have edited poetry chapbooks and full length collections by a range of emerging and established poets, short stories, and MFA applications. My editing philosophy is to meet each piece on its own terms in order to help writers develop the unique value of their voices, as well as forms, modes, and traditions they may be interesting in exploring further. This might mean making suggestions for word choice, syntax, and musicality in an individual poem, to making overarching suggestions for form and narrative in short fiction or creative non-fiction. I aim to help writers discover the impulse that drives their work, and to liven what is already present in their writing. 

Since 2021, I have mentored emerging poets through theFlying Books Mentorship Program, and I served as the 2024-2025 Writer in Residence at Sheridan College and am currently the 2025-2026 Poet-in-Residence at Arc Poetry Magazine. Poets I have mentored have won the Ex-Puritan’s Austin Clarke Prize in Literary Excellence, the Indigenous Voices Awards, and the CBC Poetry Prize. I routinely advise mentees on submitting to literary journals, querying publishers and agents, and applying for artist grants, residencies, and other opportunities.  

To discuss working together, email a little about yourself and your project to mcfadzeancassidy@gmail.com or fill out the contact form below.

Testimonials:

I’ve had the pleasure of working with Cassidy for several years now. As a mentor, she is incredibly kind and provides clear and concise feedback on all the work she engages with. What I love most about Cassidy’s approach to teaching, is how much she encourages students to trust their individual process. She never pushes any other voice but their own, so the writing you end up producing feels incredibly organic. As an emerging writer, I can confidently say that Cassidy has made my work what it is today. Without her guidance and expertise, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to submit my work to journals and contests or even put together my first chapbook. I wholeheartedly trust her judgement and would recommend for writers in all stages of their careers to work with her.

-Jordan Redekop-Jones, 2025 CBC Poetry Prize winner

I wouldn’t be the poet that I am today if it weren’t for Cassidy McFadzean. I met Cassidy through Sheridan College’s Writer-In-Residence program and have been working with her since. With Cassidy’s help she helped me from editing, submitting, and growing as an author. She is a great mentor who gives helpful suggestions and guidance in helping to become a better poet.

-Juliana Putri Tan, 2025 Ex-Puritan Runner-Up