Poets often ask me how they’ll know a manuscript is complete. Truth is it can be difficult for the poet themselves to know because they are in every part of that manuscript. Distance helps. Editing can often make it even harder to distance unless the poet trusts that the work, as a whole, is good. This trust lets the poet hone in on the details – repeated words, tools, or forms, conjugations, typical/consistent poem endings/beginnings – and make those stronger, which then makes the poem as a whole better.
I edit others’ work and consider that anything I suggest doesn’t have to be accepted by the poet. But now, I’m working with Laura VanProoyen, a wonderful poet and editor and now publisher for Next Page Press, and it’s interesting to be on the other side of the table, considering and (mosty) accepting suggestions to subtly shift a poem.
All this to say: I have a book coming out (with incredible thanks to Laura) late 2023 titled the matchstick litanies. Return here for more information as publication nears!
jo reyes-boitel 
Such a wonder to work with you. xo
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