Testimonials:

“Cordelia’s edit notes hit on so many problems that I knew in my gut needed to be fixed but that I couldn’t bring myself to change, her comments helped make this the story that it needed to be.”

–Aimee Lucido, author of Emmy in the Key of Code

I found Cordelia’s editorial services to be invaluable, especially her explanation and guidance toward an image system within the verse novel. She is patient, thorough, and has a keen eye for both details and big picture edits. Her comments are thoughtful and spot on, and she offers follow-up opportunities to help clarify feedback. She responds quickly to questions. I'm grateful for her support and I highly recommend her services!

-Author Sarah Scheerger, www.sarahlynnbooks.com

“I am so glad I reached out to Cordelia for feedback on my MG novel in verse! She was so detailed, giving me notes on the plot and ideas, and even providing line edits and poetry advice! I am so grateful to her, as I definitely feel my manuscript improved so much based on her helpful suggestions. And mostly, I am so thankful she is so kind and helpful, compassionate in how she gives critique and helping me feel more confident in my own words!”

-Shifa Safidi, author of upcoming MG verse novel KAREEM BETWEEN (Putnam 2024)

“When I first became interested in writing a novel in verse, I took a class with Cordelia, and then another. I valued both her expertise in the genre and teaching style so much that this led to two one-on-one critiques with her on full drafts of the same project. Her ability to offer clear and straightforward insight on what isn’t yet working, coupled with her knack for offering encouragement and support of what IS, has been instrumental. Several times along the way, I hit roadblocks on the project, and she was able to help me steer it onto the right path each time, all while giving me confidence in my own writing abilities. Having Cordelia in a mentorship role has been nothing short of a gift.”

-Author Lisl H. Detlefsen, www.lislhdbooks.com

“Thank you so much for your invaluable course materials and feedback as I worked on re-envisioning my manuscript. Your guidance helped me create a path through the thickets!”

–N.P., forthcoming verse novel with a Big Five publisher! 

“After reading Cordelia Jensen’s verse novel, Skyscraping, I signed up to take her virtual course on image systems from The Highlights Foundation. Each week’s lesson and assignment strengthened my work-in-progress incredibly! Once I had a full draft, I needed to make sure the plot and pacing were working. So, when I noticed a virtual workshop on those elements in verse novels that Cordelia would give with The Writing Barn, I registered. Again, her insights and expertise helped improve my novel’s narrative arc and structure. Cordelia’s thoughtful and thought-provoking presentations were so helpful that I reached out to her for a professional assessment and critique. Her detailed and extensive feedback, from line edits to pages of summary and a follow-up phone call, exceeded expectations and brought my manuscript to a much higher level, one that is now ready for submission. Cordelia’s expertise was invaluable! I highly recommend Cordelia Jensen to anyone looking for a course, workshop, developmental assessment, or critique of their work.”

-Michelle Nott, represented by Essie White at Storm Literary Agency

“Cordelia has all the traits a verse novelist could want in a mentor. She is incredibly knowledgeable about virtually every published verse novel. And she has mastered her craft. But those virtues pale in comparison with Cordelia’s abilities as a teacher. She is smart, patient, kind, enthusiastic, and encouraging. She is an impeccable editor—reviewing work with an eye to themes, imagery, poetic devices, forms, plot, and character. She is both a big picture and a detail person—which is rare. Her suggestions for revisions on my verse novel manuscript were practical and spot on. Cordelia’s best quality, though, is her unfailing generosity to her students and their work. I am so lucky to have taken many of her courses at Highlights and to have had her incisive editorial comments on my entire novel in verse manuscript. Cordelia is the gift that keeps on giving.”

-Helen Kemp Zax, author and poet

“Cordelia’s kept my manuscript for about three to four weeks, and when she returned it, I eagerly sat down to read her comments. Her critique was incredibly thorough. She looked at the novel from a birds-eye view, commenting on overall structure and pacing. Then she examined each poem, one at a time, commenting on the structure of the poem and the lyricism of individual lines. She looked at the image system of the novel, and made suggestions about how to make it hang together better, and places I could increase tension. She also made herself available to answer any questions I had about the review. I feel so fortunate to have discovered Cordelia as an editor, and I will definitely hire her again for help on my next project.”

–Author Cindy Jenson-Elliott 

“I have started and stopped numerous novels during my lifelong dream to write for young people.  I lacked the confidence and discipline to complete an entire manuscript.   I joined a few writing groups, but I needed more. Then the universe connected me to Cordelia Jensen and everything changed. Her expertise on verse and vignette novels energizes my writing spirit.  I always leave our writing conversations feeling both empowered and challenged because she gives feedback that is specific, clear, and actionable. She always starts by telling me what’s working and WHY it’s working.  That way I can replicate those techniques as I continue to write.

The questions she poses help me clarify plot and character and drive my revisions.  Because of Cordelia, I have a better understanding of story promise and the need to follow it through to the end of the story. With the guidance and encouragement of Cordelia, I am proud to say I have a completed manuscript.”

–Educator Benadette Lambert