As an editor, Hannah is truly every writer's dream. Not only does she have a keen eye for structure - pacing and plotting - but she also has a remarkably deft touch when it comes to the deeper, more soulful work of writing. With her, writers feel seen. They feel like they have a partner, a collaborator and not just a critic, which is a rare gift in an often isolating craft. Hannah provides clear notes and line edits, and is always happy to do a bit of brainstorming to help a writer realize the potential of a project. I truly believe that any writer would be lucky to have her eye on their work.

— Samantha Shea (literary agent at Georges Borchardt, Inc. New York.)

Hannah is a dream to work with. Her editing process teases apart the themes and threads of your writing and gives language to what you might be unable to name. She is attentive, detail-oriented, and, best of all, intuitive––a truly poetic editor. I'd trust her and treasure her input on any of my writing.

– Kyle Lucia Wu (Win Me Something, Tin House, 2021 and Managing Director at Kundiman)

Quite simply, Hannah is the editor I've always wanted. Big-hearted, deeply kind, and in possession of a searing intellect, she is the visionary thinker and creative counsel I needed. Under her guidance, I was able to reinvigorate a project I’d been working on for years. Each email from Hannah was like unwrapping a gift, one full of thoughtful questions, original ideas, and an attention to detail I’ve rarely experienced. She understood on an almost psychic level what I was trying to do on the page and helped steward me toward the full potential of my story, always mining for tension, conflict, and truth. Hannah's dedication and precision was alive in each correspondence and in every line note. Before working with Hannah, I was on the fence about hiring a freelance editor. It was new to me, and I wasn’t sure how it would work. But this was one of the single best things I’ve done for myself and my writing. To work with her is a dream. She set the bar sky high for what I've come to expect from a reader and editor. She handled my writing with a profound level of attention and care, and I’m still marveling at her poetic brilliance. If you’re looking to make your book or story better, faster, more affecting and more awake, trust Hannah to help you see that through. I’m so glad I did.

– Genevieve Hudson (author of Boys of Alabama, Liveright Publishing, 2020, Pretend We Live Here, Future Tense Books, 2018, and A Little in Love with Everyone, Fiction Advocate, 2018)

Hannah is skilled, generous, thorough, and kind—truly the dream combination for an editor. She read my manuscript deeply and carefully, offering large developmental ideas to strengthen my story’s plot and smaller grounding techniques to enhance my story’s details. Every note she offered made my story better on a craft level, but even more amazing, her perspective made my story better on a me level. I couldn’t have approached my revision without her, and I will always seek out her feedback in the future. Working with Hannah is a dream.

– Vanessa Friedman (author of HOME: A Year of Love Letters and deputy managing editor at Hey Alma)

I gifted myself Hannah’s 5-Prompt Poetry Course in December 2022, and had a wonderful experience. I took her course during a time when I had several ideas that I wanted to translate into poetry, but was having trouble figuring out how to get them onto the page. Her prompts allowed me to think of new and creative ways to communicate these ideas, and I'm so grateful that I was given this way of unlocking them. At the end of the poetry course, I ended up submitting my work for edits, and couldn't be happier with the final product. I would highly recommend taking a poetry course with Hannah.

– Christina Dimopoulos-Verma, MD (underscore_magazine)

Hannahs's work with one of the Fifth Avenue Press authors was truly transformational and we are grateful for her talent and guidance with such an important work! Writing a memoir is already a fraught experience so it was a blessing to have Hannah’s safe guidance on the journey to bringing their story to light. The graceful compassion that Hannah exudes combined with her skillful discernment for structure is a rare and valuable gift and any writer would be lucky to work with her. 

– Erin Helmrich (Fifth Avenue Press)

Warm, funny, and super-smart, Hannah is a total dream editor. Her feedback helped me pinpoint exactly what was going on with my novel (at that point in its beginning stages and in a total rut) and clarify where to go next. I was looking for a reader who is queer, experimentally minded, and attuned to trends in writing & publishing, and I feel so lucky to have found Hannah — working with her was such a gift.

— Jenny Fran Davis (author of DYKETTE, Henry Holt, 2023)

I warmly recommend working with Hannah, whose edits on my short story collection have been essential. Feeling a bit at sea in the world of publishing as a debut author, I sought Hannah out for an additional perspective on my manuscript, and her attention to my work was grounding, illuminating, and just what I needed. Hannah helped me reimagine the endings of a few stories I wasn’t happy with; she also provided an amazingly thorough and satisfying close read on a particular motif I'd been wrestling with, and she helped me reframe a story that felt hard for the reader to follow — to name only a few things our work together helped me resolve. Her insights were always in tune with my intentions for the project; she often located keys to my questions in other parts of the book. My stories are stronger and I’m more confident in them because of our work together, and as I’ve continued to edit my manuscript, I’ve been grateful to be able to return to Hannah for her clarifying perspective.

— Kate Doyle (author of I Meant It Once, Algonquin Books, 2023)

Hannah is a thoughtful and rigorous editor with a well developed (yet flexible) framework for her editorial process. She began with a dialogue, asking a series of questions to better understand my manuscript and my needs. I came with a lot of baggage that she helped me unpack and sift through, particularly with the sequencing and structure of the first fifty pages. She validated my impulses, and justified them with insights I hadn't considered, and which brought me to tears.

Besides her caring and careful critiques and offerings, she is a champion cheerleader. I felt cared for throughout the process, and have enjoyed her periodic email follow ups inquiring about my progress and sending me welcome encouragement.

– Barrak Alzaid (founding member of the artist collective GCC)

I had the chance to work with Hannah at a critical stage in the writing of my novel, ZONE ROUGE. I was on my seventh draft, the work felt stale, and writing felt like a chore. Working with Hannah helped me see my work in a new light. She took such care with my characters and the world I created for them while showing me the places I could sink deeper into the story. She met every deadline we established while providing the type of insight that seems to come with years of analysis.

– Michael Jerome Plunkett (author of ZONE ROUGE: A Novel, forthcoming from Unnamed Press)

I am so proud to have had the opportunity to work with Hannah on my project Pictures for Charis. Hannah edited one of the earliest and most-unwieldy versions of this book. Her attentiveness to my voice and writing style were kept in tact as she diligently, sensitively, and expertly made suggestions for edits that made my writing more clear, strong, and lean. Working with Hannah was an absolute gift and I look forward to working with her on future projects.

– Kelli Connell (author of Pictures for Charis, Aperture, 2024)

I've worked with Hannah regularly, since 2020, on several portfolios and a poetry manuscript—and I keep coming back. Hannah's feedback is to the point and constructive; her editing always makes my poems tighter, more effective versions of themselves. One of Hannah's great strengths as an editor is seeing and connecting threads that might otherwise feel disparate or hard to see: she has illuminated and helped me foreground themes in my own writing that I struggled to connect to each other, simply by reordering a portfolio. Hannah is a deeply talented editor who always brings warmth and excitement to her projects. She is a joy to work with and I cannot recommend her highly enough.

– sterling-elizabeth arcadia (author of Heaven, Ekphrasis, Kith Books, 2023)

Rarely do you find a developmental editor who approaches the work as if mining for gold. Hannah is one such prospector. She helped me unearth gems on the page for narrative relevance and find and eliminate threads that went nowhere. Hannah’s deft eye pointed out key areas where a character needed more than one job in the story, and she suggested restructuring scenes to magnify the tension. My manuscript is better for her care and concern for the story and its potential.

– Robin Gaines (author of Invincible Summers, ELJ Editions, 2016)

Hannah's comprehensive edits helped me take my manuscript to the next level. She pushed me to better ground my scenes, and suggested some key cuts that made my essays more powerful. Her feedback, both at the line-level and developmental level, has helped shape my book. I highly recommend working with her.

– Alex Alberto (author of Entwined, Quilted Press, 2024)

I became aware of Hannah's editing services via recommendation from a writer I trust very much. This trust was extremely well-placed, as Hannah's full comprehensive edit elevated my manuscript in a way I could not have done on my own. Not only did she provide insights that were hidden in my blind spots, but she also boosted my confidence with suggestions on many sections that I had issues with, but hadn't made her aware of. That we were on the same page, enabled me to fully relax and accept her notes as the best plan of action - which is difficult for someone like me who is a bit of a control freak! Hannah is warm and friendly and I truly enjoyed working with her, she treats your work as if it were her own.

– Fern Angel Beattie (Founder of Write Bloody UK publishing)

When my press hired Hannah for a "comprehensive edit package" for my debut memoir, it was a dream come true. Hannah is a master editor whose edits are in-depth, thoughtful, and progressive. I was especially impressed at how thorough she is in answering questions on her notes, even after time has passed. She genuinely makes you feel like you have a partner in the process. Anyone would be lucky to get to work with her.

– Michelle Yang (author of Phoenix Girl, 5th Avenue Press, 2024)

I’m just getting started with poetry and wanted to take a course which included feedback. Hannah’s course is flexible and tailored to my needs/writing. She is very approachable and friendly, and offers very helpful feedback.

– Blue Bailey (poet)

Hannah was extremely helpful, professional, and easy to work with. She understood what I wanted to achieve with my manuscript and offered thorough notes and feedback so that revisions were actually an exciting prospect. I found Hannah a pleasure to work with and would gladly recommend Hannah for a novel consultation.

– Trish Bendix (New York Times, TIME)

Hannah read the first draft of my novel and I was looking for feedback to help guide my priorities for the revision. Her correspondence and comments were thoughtful, insightful, and very helpful. I've been referring to her notes as I revise. She's drawn my attention to elements I hadn't considered or noticed and through the process I've learned so much about my manuscript.

– Christina Kelly (Paris Short Film Festival, Lighthouse Film Festival)

Working with Hannah was one of the greatest gifts I could've given myself during the process of editing my debut memoir. I felt seen, held, and understood—invaluable qualities in any author-editor relationship—but beyond that, Hannah challenged me in the very best ways, fluidly guiding me towards a fuller embodiment of my own artistic potential. With thoughtful precision, profound sensitivity, and a poet's eye for language, metaphor, sensory detail, and paratactic resonance, Hannah elucidated vital aspects of my project that I hadn't yet been able to see clearly, then articulated those aspects in a concrete way that made immediate sense to me. She possesses a unique ability to usher a piece of writing into its most effective form without ever sacrificing the author's vision, integrity, or idiosyncratic style. She helped my project become somehow more itself, honing it shrewdly and elegantly while preserving—with the utmost care and grace—its beating heart.
– Annabel Graham (Vogue, Wall Street Journal)

Working with Hannah was like shining a light on what had previously felt tangled and dark. She saw in my work the larger meaning I couldn't quite grasp, and helped me pare away and shift material to make that meaning sing. From our first revision to our last, I was blown away by the time, attention and respect she gave my writing. Often, I have felt pushed to sacrifice the poetry of my work for clarity, but Hannah found a way to cohere my essay in a way that drew its lyricism out, rather than erasing it. Quite simply, working with Hannah Beresford was, hands down, the most moving and instructive editorial experience I have ever had.

— Allie Rowbottom (author of Aesthetica, Soho Press, 2022 and Jell-O Girls, Little, Brown, 2018)

Hannah was recommended to me by a friend during a time when I was thinking of hiring an editor for short stories in my collection that were feeling stagnant and having trouble finding a home (being published). I am immensely grateful for said recommendation. My experience with Hannah was like no other. She took the time to not only analyze my work but to discuss with me what it was that I was trying to achieve before making line edits. That collaborative conversation provided a deep edit that aligned with my particular style and process. Hannah’s approach provided that validation I needed to jump back into editing. A piece she edited was placed for publication within a few months. I plan on working with her again and again and again!

– Melissa Ximena Golebiowski  (Catapult, Lit Hub)

The hardest part of working with Hannah was psyching myself up to fill out an inquiry–it meant saying to myself, "yes, I'm writing a book." But Hannah took my writing and goals seriously, listened, and provided thoughtful feedback that was both gentle and critical. Communication and planning was a breeze. In writing, I'd struggled seeing the forest for the trees, but Hannah helped me step back and consider the big picture. It was a very collaborative process. Afterward, when I was excited to dive into revision, it was reassuring to know Hannah would be there as a continued support.

– Jaime Zuckerman (author of Letters to Melville, Ghost Proposal, 2018 and Alone in this Together, Dancing Girl Press, 2016)

Hannah is a kind and thoughtful reader, and editor. She has the greatest care and attention to detail. It is an edit that will make your intentions feel seen and allow you to see your work afresh.
— Rowan Hisayo Buchanan (author of The Sleep Watcher, Sceptre, 2023, Starling Days, Sceptre, 2019, and Harmless Like You, W. W. Norton Company, 2018)

Hannah is a phenomenal editor. She recently helped me polish a series of essays for an eventual collection. Her thoughtful notes allowed me to excavate deeper themes, fine-tune my structure, and make connections I hadn’t seen before. I love her intuition, her attention to detail, and the way she gently invites writers to examine their blind spots and take risks in their work. Not to mention, she’s incredibly organized and provided the deadlines, accountability, and encouragement I needed to get each essay over the finish line. I'm so grateful for her wisdom and support.

– Gina DeMillo Wagner  (author of Forces of Nature, Running Wild Press, 2024)

Hannah is an absolute dream editor. Her ability to understand and elevate a writer’s voice without compromising the core essence of it is what really sets her apart from the rest. I reached out to Hannah to edit several short stories for a story collection. Much like a therapist, you want to make sure an editor is a good fit and I could tell from our early correspondence that she was thoughtful and perceptive and really paid attention to my goals. Her notes were always so detailed and filled with insights and connections I hadn't made myself. I truly felt seen, which was as important to me as her excellent structural revisions and line edits. As a writer herself, she knew how vulnerable I felt about sharing my work and offered herself more as a collaborator than a critic. It felt like we were on the same team and she cared as much about my project as I did. She also gave me a sense of accountability—a rare gift for any writer. She provided clear notes, line edits and deadlines, and her enthusiasm motivated me to be more productive. Her guidance was like a lifeline to me, and her kindness and mentorship tricked me into actually enjoying the editing process. For that, I’m forever grateful.

— Nada Alic (author of Bad Thoughts, Vintage Books/Knopf, 2022)

For years I have known Hannah as both a powerful writer and a thoughtful reviewer, which is why I have sought her help as I put together my first manuscript. Both encouraging and discerning, Hannah gently suggests ways to make the writing clearer, stronger and more truthful. Though she does not hold back, I never feel overwhelmed or frustrated by her notes—just eager to go back to the work and make it better. She is the second set of eyes you need when you have spent too much time alone with your writing. What’s more, Hannah always gets her notes back to me in a timely fashion. I am always impressed and grateful, because I get to keep my momentum, one of an artist’s most valuable tools. It also does not hurt that she is a lovely person and so, that much easier to work with! I highly recommend her services.

— Daria-Ann Martineau (Founder of PRINT, Top 10 Poems of 2020 awarded by Split This Rock)

To call Hannah Beresford an incredible editor would be an understatement. She is also a locksmith. I sent her the first draft of my manuscript and not only did she give me the perfect combination of generous but incisive notes, she gave me a key. The advice she gifted (once I finally committed to following it) has unlocked some of the best, most thrilling, and most rewarding writing of my life. I am forever grateful to have had such a tender, inquisitive, and wildly smart reader of my first foray into prose and memoir. Hannah’s intelligence is just the perfect amount of a few notches smarter than you, whoever you are. She gives just the right amount of herself to foster a sense of intimidation, but never isolation. She sets the bar and shows you how to raise yourself up to it. She is a north motherfucking star.

— Megan Falley (author of Drive Here and Devastate Me, Write Bloody Publishing, 2018, co-author of How Poetry Can Change Your Heart, Chronicle Books, 2019, and A Woman of the World and National Poetry Slam Finalist)

Reaching out to Hannah was the best choice I've ever made for my writing. When I was lost in the weeds of a very personal memoir project, Hannah untangled the mess of memory dump my manuscript had become so I could see it for the narrative I hoped it could be. She has an extremely fast turnaround time, but the care and attention she gave every page of my draft and every question and concern I had about my manuscript made me feel like I was her only client in the world. Her editorial suggestions and tips have led me to finish a book that I am proud of, and will continue to lead me, as I learned so much from her. She has an incredible eye for structure, poetic edits, and such a kind and encouraging attitude. Hannah's fee is the smartest money I've ever put into my writing practice.

— Sammi LaBue (author of Words in Progress, DK Books, 2020 and founder of Fledgling Writing Workshops, NYC)

I have known, admired, and trusted Hannah for nearly a decade. First of all, she is one of the most talented writers I know. I immediately, humbly fell in love with her gracefully mastered words when I first read her poems in 2012. Second, she is a dearest friend, editor, and mentor who has supported me emotionally and intellectually through some of the most difficult years in my writing career. She is there when I feel alone. She cheers me on when I need some lift. Most importantly, she challenges me to see my blind spots, stretch my perspective, and trim my language so that it is lean and ready to leap out from the page.

— Ivy Liuyu Chen (Co-founder of TransWords Translations LLC)