Michael Kenyon

I have been editing stories, short fiction, novels, poetry, and non-fiction for over thirty-five years, through the 80s and 90s as a member of The Malahat Review’s editorial board, since 1990 as a freelancer, and for the past twenty-five years as one of a team of editors for a small press. I have edited over one hundred books — mostly novels, story collections, poetry collections and memoirs, but also nonfiction — and I offer a variety of skills, from manuscript evaluation to substantive editing to copy editing. I’ve published in magazines, and am the author of seventeen books of fiction and poetry, with substantial experience of publishing in Canada. This means I have worked on both sides of the editorial table, and have had rich experiences with some of Canada’s finest editors and publishers.

Since every writer is unique and writing processes vary widely, I’ve found it most important to listen to the text and to the writer, and then collaboratively design an approach and timeline to fit the project. The purpose of an editor, besides clarifying syntax and ideas, is to allow the authorial voice to sing through with as much elegance and as little interference as possible. I welcome all queries for additional information. I can provide examples of published books I’ve edited and testimonials from many writers.

“Like all good editors, Michael Kenyon clears the smoke from a manuscript so readers can warm themselves by the flames. My publishers, who have been in the book business for almost half a century, hired him to edit my collection of stories, and I’m damn glad they did. This guy is top shelf. Don’t let him get away.” – Don McLellan (Brunch with the Jackals, stories)