Editor / Writer / Graphic Designer
For this service, I provide detailed editorial suggestions on both a line-by-line level and an overarching level for college essays, persuasive essays, and other academic essays. For feedback on poetry, fiction, or creative nonfiction (CNF), please see the category below. For this service, I do not make direct edits to your work; instead, the feedback is presented in the form of written feedback about 1500 - 2000 words in length, featuring both Line-by-Line Commentary (with line references to identify specific lines) and Overarching Commentary (to address elements that are developed throughout the entire piece). On a line-by-line level, I may discuss elements such as flow, transitions, and clarity. On an overarching level, I may discuss elements such as message, organization, and supporting evidence. For persuasive essays, I will often discuss elements of rhetoric such as ethos, pathos, and logos, as I offer advice on developing a strong thesis statement and specific supporting points. For college application essays, I may discuss how well your response supports your résumé and how well your response addresses the essay prompt.
Submitters must provide all related prompts or other guidelines that would provide necessary context for the essay. If your essay is based on a longer reading, such as a novel-length work, you are welcome to fill out the application, but please keep in mind that the cost may be impacted by additional material to read. If any additional reading is required (such as a reading that your essay is based upon), we can discuss the rate after you fill out the application but before payment. If your essay is written on a specialized field such as law or psychology​ for example, then please keep in mind that I cannot offer the expert opinion of someone who has studied in such a specialized field, but rather, I would offer my opinion as a writer/editor on how well you communicate your message.
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Cost: $70 per essay (2000 words or less)
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If over 2000 words, then $35 for every additional 1000 words.
(For example, 3000 words = $105, 4000 words = $140, etc)
Feedback on Creative Writing
Poetry / Fiction / Creative Nonfiction
For this service, I provide detailed editorial suggestions on both a line-by-line level and an overarching level for poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction (CNF). For feedback on a college essay, persuasive essay, or other academic essay, please see the category above. For this service, I do not make direct edits to your work; instead, the feedback is presented in the form of written feedback about 1500 - 2000 words in length, featuring both Line-by-Line Commentary (with line references to identify specific lines) and Overarching Commentary (to address elements that are developed throughout the entire piece). On a line-by-line level, I may discuss elements such as imagery, flow, metaphors, enjambment, juxtaposition, etc. On an overarching level, I may discuss elements such as theme development, character development, structure, unity, symbolism, etc.
Cost: $50 per piece (Poetry, Fiction, or CNF 2000 words or less.)
Multiple poems or prose pieces may be submitted in one document, provided that they all combined fall within the word count.
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If over 2000 words, then $25 for every additional 1000 words.
(For example, 3000 words = $75, 4000 words = $100, etc).
Proofreading Edits
For this service, I provide proofreading edits for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, clarity, and sentence structure. I will either make a copy of the document with suggested edits applied or I will use the suggestions tool in Google Docs to illustrate my suggested edits. All edits provided are intended for the purpose of proofreading / polishing and not for heavy content-related revisions. For this service, I do not provide written feedback, except for brief comments on word choice, sentence structure, or clarity, if applicable.
Cost: $30 per piece (Poetry, Fiction, CNF, or essays 2000 words or less)
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If over 2000 words, then $15 for every additional 1000 words.
(For example, 3000 words = $45, 4000 words = $60, etc)
About the Editor
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Julian Riccobon is the Managing Director of Polyphony Lit, an international literary magazine for high school writers and editors. Since 2018, he has worked along every step of the editorial pipeline as Genre Editor, Executive Editor, In-House Editor, Teaching Assistant, and Editorial Training Instructor. Currently, he works as Managing Director at Polyphony Lit, and oversees a team of 200+ high school editors. He is thrilled to participate in the writing / editing community and to meet new people from all over the globe.​
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Why Send Me Your Work?​
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I’ve worked as Teaching Assistant and Mentor for Polyphony Lit’s Summer Editing Apprenticeship program, and during this process, I’ve provided writing feedback and advice to students aged 14-18.
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The students that I’ve mentored have gone on to attend prestigious universities including Princeton University, Yale University, and Brown University.
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I’ve studied AP Language and Composition, a college-level course focused on rhetoric and persuasive essay-writing. I’ve also studied AP Literature and Composition, a college-level course on literary analysis and essay writing.
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I’ve been writing and publishing my work for over 10 years. I’ve written short fiction (published in Huizache, Flash Fiction Online, and Blue Marble Review). I’ve written poetry (published in The Acentos Review and Alternating Current Press). And I’ve written a how-to article on teaching the craft of editing (published in Teachers & Writers Magazine).​
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Process:​
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Please review the descriptions of the editing services I provide above.
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If you are interested in applying for proofreading edits or editorial feedback, then please fill out this sign-up Google Form. Please note that I may place a cap on the number of pieces I review each month, so if the Google form below is closed to responses, then sign-ups are currently closed, and you may need to wait until the first day of the following month to apply.
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Upon receiving the form response with your information, I will send an invoice via email based on the word count of your piece(s). If any additional reading is required (such as a reading that your essay is based upon), we can discuss the rate from there.
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Payments are made via PayPal. Upon receipt of payment, I will begin reviewing your work. Proofreading Edits / Feedback will be sent within 30 days of receipt of payment.​
Work Experience
August 2021 - Present
August 2019 - August 2021
February 2018 - December 2020
Managing Director
As Managing Director, Julian has coordinated a staff of 150+ editors, worked closely with the editors-in-chief to design a more efficient editorial pipeline, created/administered online creative writing programs, assisted with the development of marketing strategies, provided graphic design services, and communicated with customers regarding their workshop purchases.
Teaching Assistant / Assistant Managing Director
As Teaching Assistant, Julian has graded assignments, given direct feedback to over 50 editors-in-training, worked one-on-one with struggling students, and facilitated class discussions to deepen literary understanding.
Executive Editor / In-House Editor / Genre Editor / Reader
As an Editor / Reader, Julian has reviewed over 180 submissions, provided thoughtful editorial feedback to the authors of all submissions, provided detailed feedback to new editors-in-training, and communicated directly with authors to make edits and prepare pieces for publication.