Editing

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 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, Ex-Puritan Runner-Up

I had the good fortune to both take a poetry class with Cassidy and benefit from her editing services. Cassidy’s poetry class was exactly what I needed to begin writing poetry again and find joy in it. We looked at a variety of poetry and techniques, and I left the class brimming with ideas. As an editor, Cassidy has a keen eye. Writers always need other writers who understand craft well to read their work and provide feedback, and Cassidy is masterful at the craft of writing. With her help, I was able to take a story that struggled with its emotional centre and cut it down to be concise and sharp.

-Tanisha Khan, MFA University of Oregon