Hire the Best Poets

Clients rate our Poets
Rating is 4.9 out of 5.
4.9/5
Based on 380 client reviews
Zachary O.

Lake Oswego, Oregon

$45/hr
5.0
157 jobs

Hey there, I'm your friendly neighborhood human editor! :) Please reach out if you have a manuscript or project you'd like assistance with! SPECIALTIES: Developmental Editing // Copy Editing // Line Editing // Proofreading // Beta Reading // Writing Critique // Manuscript Polishing // Grammar Correction // Text Formatting // Translation Localizing CREATIVE WRITING EXPERTISE: • Passionate about fiction, especially Sci Fi, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Literary Fiction, Speculative, Young Adult, New Adult • Specialties: Novels, Short Stories, Graphic Novels, Comics, Poetry, Theatre Scripts • Love working on Memoirs and Autobiographies too! • Story structure analysis, character development, dialogue and pacing improvement • Manuscript assessment and editorial guidance • Key experience in manuscript formatting and self-publishing support • Active writer and published author of poetry books, novellas, short stories, theatre scripts With years of experience as a Creative Writing, English, and Theatre teacher, I'm now a digital nomad, exploring the world while working remotely. When I'm not baking scones or befriending pets, I'm dedicated to assisting with your personal and professional projects. My goal is always to boost your creativity and efficiency, preserving and amplifying your unique writing voice. Let's connect and bring your projects to life!

  • Poetry
  • Creative Writing
  • Short Story
  • Fiction
  • Book
  • Proofreading
  • Writing Critique
  • Beta Reading
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Proofreading Feedback
  • Book Editing
  • Writing
  • Manuscript
  • Theatre
  • Musical Theatre
Steve F.

Holmfirth, United Kingdom

$60/hr
5.0
213 jobs

There is no vision so vast, intimate, or out there that it cannot be communicated perfectly with the right words. I write for corporations that want their kids to like them and independent creators who want their parents to respect them. With an artistic background, an eye for structure, and a compulsion for wit and lyricism, I've tended to succeed where corporate meets consumer and where independents strive for high levels of creativity and professionalism. I employ color, elegance, intelligence, humor, wordplay, a few winks, and much hard work to ensure my clients are happy. My unique angle stems from my dual areas of expertise: on the one hand, I am a well-disciplined agency writer, comfortable delivering complex work on time and within budget; on the other, I am a musician, freelancer, and contrarian who can transition seamlessly into poetry, wit, irreverence, and pithy commentary. Clients most often bring me in to: —Ghostwrite memoirs and personal transformation stories that feel rich, human, and voice-driven (including for Olympic athletes, founders, and creatives). —Write brand scripts, keynote speeches, and web copy that blend sharp messaging with emotional punch. —Craft children’s books—sometimes rhyming, often offbeat, always memorable—with emotional clarity and playfulness. Every project is different—but if the story matters, I’m in. Upwork clients have said of their experience working with me (taken from my testimonials) … —“I must say, he is nothing short of remarkable. Steve is not only incredibly talented but also an amazing human being.” —“I have yet to ask him for help on a project that he hasn’t vastly improved the idea. He is a testament to the writing profession.” —“Steve is a gift of a human. I'm glad to have met and worked with him. He truly has exceptional talent.” —“Steve did a fantastic job on a challenging assignment.” —“Usually, when I work with freelancers, the work takes weeks to months. He had it done in days and turnover in less than 24 hours. Possibly one of the best freelancers I've worked with.” —“Steve knocked our project out of the ballpark!” —“Steve is a brilliant, creative writer with a totally professional attitude. Working with him was sheer joy.” And it would be my job to ensure you are equally happy. Contacting me won’t cost you a thing. I would love to hear from you. Reliable — creative ghostwriter — creative writing — video scripts — speech writing — branding — children's literature — rhyming books — memoirs — novels — non-fiction — coaching — structure — humor.

  • Creative Writing
  • Children's Literature
  • Short Story Writing
  • Short Story
  • Ghostwriting
  • Branding
  • Content Writing
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Developmental Editing
  • Novel Writing
  • Scriptwriting
  • Speech Writing
  • Memoir Writing
  • Story Writing
  • Book Editing
Abbey B.

Cañon City, Colorado

$20/hr
5.0
61 jobs

I've been ghostwriting for over a decade, specializing in dark romance and murder-mystery novels. I have a Bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. My decade of writing has taught me that a great novel is crafted out of three things: characters with strong motivations, genuine stakes (if the reason a hero and heroine can't commit to each other is miscommunication, it's usually a bad story), and writing that evokes all of the senses to create immersion. I have also written dystopian fiction, paranormal fiction, LGBT romance, and urban fantasy.

  • Poetry
  • Creative Writing
  • Ghostwriting
  • English
  • Nonfiction
  • Fiction Writing
Leah B.

Lake Worth Beach, Florida

$20/hr
5.0
10 jobs

Hi! I’m an experienced Office Manager with a strong background in organization, proofreading, communication, and detail-oriented work. For over 18 years, I’ve handled invoicing, data entry, proofreading, document organization, and detailed administrative support. Alongside my administrative experience, I have a genuine passion for writing, proofreading, and beta reading. I enjoy reviewing fiction and other written content with a focus on readability, tone, flow, dialogue, and natural wording. I provide thoughtful, constructive feedback while helping writers refine and strengthen their work without losing their voice. I’m especially drawn to projects involving proofreading, content review, beta reading, annotation, and evaluating written material for clarity and overall reader experience. I naturally pay close attention to nuance, emotional tone, pacing, and awkward or overly literal phrasing. Homeschooling my niece has also strengthened my communication skills, patience, and ability to explain ideas clearly and thoughtfully. I pride myself on being reliable, organized, easy to work with, and thorough in every project I take on. Whether you need administrative support, proofreading, thoughtful feedback, or careful content review, I bring professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine care to every task.

  • Typing
  • Data Entry
  • Professional Tone
  • Topic Research
  • QuickBooks Enterprise
  • Beta Reading
  • Proofreading Feedback
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Email Communication
  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Error Detection
  • Proofreading
  • Office & Work Space
  • Creative Writing
Lucas S.

Rock Island, Illinois

$75/hr
4.9
19 jobs

I’m an English professor and writing center director with over 18 years’ college teaching and tutoring experience. I’m also a published poet with a sharp eye for detail. I love helping others bring their writing to the next level. As a writing coach/editor, I help writers present the best versions of themselves on the page, from poetry to personal statements--really anything involving words. Please browse some of my perfect 5-star reviews below to get a feel for my approach to giving feedback on writing. I look forward to working with you!

  • Poetry
  • Developmental Editing
  • Copy Editing
  • Teaching
  • AI Content Detection
  • Formatting
  • Academia
  • Content Writing
  • Proofreading
  • Editing & Proofreading
  • Memoir
  • Beta Reading
  • Book Editing
  • Creative Writing
  • Academic Writing
  • English
  • Line Editing
Delia S.

Cajica, Colombia

$20/hr
5.0
5 jobs

I help authors, consultants, and creative professionals reclaim their time by shouldering the communication, coordination, and administrative work that keeps them away from their best work, through executive virtual assistance, calendar and email management, project coordination, multilingual communication, and professional writing support. As a trilingual Executive Virtual Assistant (English, Spanish, and French), I provide reliable administrative support, professional communication, research, document preparation, proofreading, scheduling, and project coordination. Whether I'm managing your inbox, organizing your calendar, or preparing polished documents, my goal is to help your business run smoothly while you focus on what only you can do. My background as a professional translator, editor, and writer has trained me to communicate with precision, solve problems independently, and maintain the highest standards of quality. I work comfortably with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, Canva, and AI-powered productivity tools to accelerate research, organize information, draft communications, and streamline administrative workflows—always with careful human review and attention to quality. My goal: to give you freedom and peace of mind.

  • Document Translation
  • Translation
  • Article Writing
  • Creative Writing
  • Writing

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How to Hire Top Poets

How to hire poets

Whether you’re trying to spice up your blog with a few poems or need a professional to edit your own creative works, a poet can help you bring your creative writing project to life. 

So how do you hire poets? What follows are some tips for finding top poets on Upwork.

How to shortlist poetry professionals

As you’re browsing available poetry consultants, it can be helpful to develop a shortlist of the professionals you may want to interview. You can screen profiles on criteria such as:

  • Genre fit. You want a poet who understands the type of poem you are trying to create. 
  • Project experience. Screen candidate profiles for specific skills and experience (e.g., writing haikus).
  • Feedback. Check reviews from past clients for glowing testimonials or red flags that can tell you what it’s like to work with a particular poet.

How to write an effective poetry job post

With a clear picture of your ideal poet in mind, it’s time to write that job post. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project. 

An effective poetry job post should include: 

  • Scope of work: From poetry ebooks to proofreading services, list all the deliverables you’ll need. 
  • Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project. 
  • Background: If you prefer experience with certain genres or poetic styles, mention this here. 
  • Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.

Ready to commission your own poems? Log in and post your poetry job on Upwork today.

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POETS FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is poetry? 

Poetry is prose given form. A poet will use a distinctive style or rhythm to tell a story, convey an idea, or evoke an emotion. 

Here’s a quick overview of the skills you should look for in poetry professionals:

  • Poetry
  • Creative writing
  • Content creation
  • Proofreading and editing

Why hire poets?

The trick to finding top poets is to identify your needs. Are you looking for a master of iambic pentameter to bring your poem to life? Will your poet need to be able to use language from a specific time period for inclusion in your fictional story? The cost of your project will depend largely on your scope of work and the specific skills needed to bring your project to life. 

How much does it cost to hire a poet?

Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.

  • An experienced poet may command higher fees but also work faster, have more specialized areas of expertise, and deliver a higher-quality product.
  • A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their poetry more competitively. 

Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.