I have a lot of experience of writing, workshopping, editing, and publishing. You can see my books here. I was Poetry Editor at the Glasgow Review of Books for over six years, and co-editor of New Writing Scotland for three. I’ve won a New Writers Award from the Scottish Book Trust and now (occasionally) sit on their selection panels. I’ve judged and sifted for many competitions including the Wigtown Poetry Prize, the Edwin Morgan Poetry Award, the William Soutar Prize, and Poetry By Heart, Scotland. I’ve performed my poetry at Push the Boat Out Poetry Festival, StAnza, The Tell It Slant Poetry Festival, and Edinburgh International Book Festival. I also work as Project Manager at the Scottish Poetry Library and I’m Clydebuilt Development Officer for St Mungo’s Mirrorball Poetry Network. I’m currently editor of Postbox International Short Story Magazine and Advisory Editor at Norway-based Sic Publishing. In short, I wear a lot of caps and I can advise on any number of poetry- or writing-related questions!

If you would like a personal and personable reader, editor, and advisor, the following 1-2-1 services are available:

• Basic rate: An hour of tutor preparation time, and a one hour online meeting = £190
• I can provide feedback on pamphlet or full collection manuscripts = From £250. We’ll discuss rates depending on length and detail required.
• Mentoring: Flexible depending on needs but based around basic rate above.

Pricing can be flexible according to needs / ability to pay. Please use the contact me page to get in touch. I look forward to working with you.

Testimonials

Sam’s gentle yet clear approach helped me edit my work with much more confidence. He talked me through the selection and order of the collection and offered thoughtful guidance on edits. It was a real pleasure to work with him—he was generous and knowledgeable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him as a creative consultant and editor, and I look forward to working with him again in the future.
Rachel

Sam comes to mentoring with a well-stocked pack of literary experience but always prioritises what you are trying to achieve. He’s got that teacher thing too – you feel you want to show him your best work.
Catherine

Sam took time to prepare very well beforehand, and was able to offer guidance as to which lines needed more work; where metaphors were tired or mixed, advise on current conventions and habits to avoid that I had not been aware of; offer reassurance on which lines were working.  I was too close to the poetry to feel secure in my own judgement, and Sam’s friendly and supportive reading and mentoring of my final piece of work was invaluable in encouraging me to the finishing line, and an MA with Distinction.
Barbara

Samuel provided a warm, thoughtful appraisal of my work as a whole, while his comments on individual poems enabled me to think of them in new ways.
Imogen