Writing Services ∙ Editing ∙ Judging

Are you a creative writing student and need your work critiqued before you hand it in? Or do you need help with line-breaks, punctuation or structuring your poem in general? Do you want to know if your story is saying what you mean it to say? Are you searching for the ‘X’ factor in your writing so that you can finally get published?​

 

Testimonial​s

Gail's careful attention to detail at line level, as well as her ability to help shape the overall structure of my manuscript provided a vital stepping stone in bringing my work to publication. As an editor, Gail brings a discerning eye to writing projects. She is a professional, thorough, kindly astute and adroit wordsmith I'd readily work with again. 

 

- Annabel Wilson Making mixtapes with Seichan (to be published by ngā pukapuka pekapeka 2025).

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​'I worked with Gail to help pull together my first poetry collection.  Working with her was a wonderful learning experience. She helped draw out the essence of my poems without losing my own voice. Her detailed feedback was so helpful, allowing me to learn and grow as I wrote.  Through explaining principles and the ‘why’ behind suggested edits I could apply these learnings to new poems. Gail was also extremely fun to work with and I would always get a shot of excitement when I’d see one of her emails in my inbox!  I would love to work with Gail again and would highly recommend the experience.'

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— Kim Morresy  (2025)

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​'I am deeply grateful for your editorial touch like a gentle hand guiding my poetry to its fullest potential. Thank you for  your unwavering support in my writing journey.'

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— Sala Montana Sefilino Crossing (published 2024)

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   Gail Zing is available to edit and proofread your poetry or fiction.    

 

Testimonial

'I came to Gail with a fat pile of poems and no idea if there was a book within the pages. She helped me to order my poems into a narrative, advised me on structure and even suggested the title of my collection – all the while listening to my ideas, and understanding what it was that I wanted to say. Suddenly, my random file of poems began to resemble a manuscript. We did closer editing and proofing which was invaluable and strengthened each poem, but also improved the manuscript as a whole. Gail paid attention to every detail – just the sort of quality needed in an editor! She thought carefully about word choices and taught me about grammar and punctuation. She also guided me through the later steps, including formatting, presentation and how to approach potential publishers. I wouldn’t have the final manuscript I have without her insight and advice, but more than that, Gail believed in my work and helped me put it out in the world, which is something I am so grateful for.’ 

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— Jess Fiebig My Honest Poem (published AUP 2020)

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Experience

• Helped multiple poets with both full collections and individual poems

• Managing Editor for a fine line NZ Poetry Society flagship magazine

• Joint poetry editor for takahē magazine

• Short fiction editor for Flash Frontier

• Proofreader forWrite On magazine

• Editor of The Unnecessary Invention of Punctuation New Zealand Poetry Anthology 2018

• Editor of after the cyclone New Zealand Poetry Society Anthology 2017

• Guest Editor for Hagley Writers Institute online journal, The Quick Brown Dog 2017

• Judge and Editor for the South Island Writers’ Association poetry and short story competitions since 2008.

• Experienced Creative Writing teacher:

  • School for Young Writers Creative Writing Teacher (2015-present)

  • Writing and English tutor for Kip McGrath (2009-present)

  • English Language teacher (1990-2003)

• Member of poetry and fiction critique groups.

• Co-Editor for Winning Words: Celebrating 50 years of SIWA (SIWA 2013)

• Co-Editor for South Island Writers’ Association 2010/11 National Short Story and Flash Fiction Competition (SIWA 2011)

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Rates

$75 per hour (minimum). This covers reading and giving written feedback for up to two poems of 40 lines each, or one 300 word story. 

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Guideline only for full poetry collection:

Assessment of a poetry collection up to 50 pages, including suggested grouping of poems: $1200

Line by line of edits for poetry collection up to 50 pages: $2000

Email for a quote.