Enzo Surin INK Poetry Consultations with Enzo Silon Surin

Enzo Silon Surin is a poet, educator, and social advocate whose work often centers on the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities and the intersections of personal and collective experiences. His poetry has earned numerous awards, as has his work as an educator, highlighting his dedication to both the craft of writing and the art of teaching. With a deep commitment to social justice, his advocacy focuses on addressing socio-economic inequities, protecting social rights, and exploring the intricate layers of racial identity, socio-political stability, oppression, and spirituality.

Surin brings a wealth of experience to his consultations, having been featured at prestigious institutions and festivals such as the Hiphop Archive & Research Institute and the Hutchins Center for African & African American Research at Harvard University, the Institute of Contemporary Arts as an artist-in-residence, the American Poetry Museum, the African American Civil War Museum, the Boston Book Festival, and the Massachusetts Poetry Festival.

In addition to his festival appearances, Surin is a respected speaker, guest lecturer, and curator/moderator of panel discussions on critical issues, including “Intersectionality of Race and Mental Health,” “A Stranger in My Own Home: Black Experiences Within the American Literary Canon,” “Black Lives and Black Poetics Matter,” and “Quitting History: Poets Penning Liberation.” His work is taught in public schools, colleges, and universities, reflecting his dedication to fostering meaningful dialogue and his ability to guide poets through the creative process with expertise and insight.

Crafting Poetic Precision: My Consultation Approach

As a poet, the ability to create multiple points of access for the reader is crucial. Achieving this requires a delicate balance of lyrical strategies and figurative language, enabling the poet to convey both the inner and outer worlds with clarity. However, transcribing the narrative playing out in your mind onto the page can be deceptively difficult. The mind often distorts, leaving you with a version of the poem that doesn’t fully match your original vision. This makes both writing and revising a poem a challenging journey to undertake alone.

As your consultant, my role is to help each poem reach its full potential by closely examining its lines for both purpose and promise. I will offer guidance and specific strategies to propel the work forward, all while preserving your unique voice. Together, we will determine what needs revision, what should remain, and what may need to be removed altogether. Although we might differ in our interpretations, rest assured that every comment and suggestion will be made with your and the poem’s best interest in mind.

Aligning Our Focus: Understanding the Consultation Process

Let’s first clarify the difference between manuscript consultation and manuscript editing. A manuscript editing session involves a meticulous line-by-line and word-by-word review, focusing on polishing syntax, grammar, spelling, and overall formatting. In contrast, a manuscript consultation session takes a broader approach, concentrating on the larger elements of the manuscript—such as themes, subjects, and the overall composition of the poems—and how effectively they support the work as a whole.

This process is tailored to each manuscript and author, considering the author’s specific goals and intentions. It’s a collaborative effort where we establish a clear guideline of your specific needs before any work begins. This ensures that your unique requirements are met while I also identify any additional areas that may benefit from further attention. Often, a writer is too close to their work to fully discern what’s effective and what needs improvement. At other times, it’s simply a matter of gaining new perspectives through another set of eyes.

Consultation Rates and Services

Enzo offers detailed consultations across various levels of poetic works, from individual poems to full-length manuscripts. Whether you need feedback on a single poem or a comprehensive evaluation of an entire manuscript, his services are designed to meet your needs with precision and insight, providing a holistic review of your work’s themes and style.

• Single Poem (Up to 2 pages): $25 - Ideal for poets seeking focused feedback on individual pieces.

• Short Folio of Poems (Up to 7 pages): $50 - Suitable for those looking to refine a small group of poems or a long poem.

• Chapbook (Up to 32 pages): $225 - Best for poets with a short manuscript ready for in-depth analysis, covering structure, theme development, and overall flow. (Optional 30-minute Zoom session: Additional $25)

• Full-length Manuscript (Up to 80 pages): $340 - Ideal for poets with a complete collection seeking comprehensive feedback on the entire manuscript, including structural coherence, thematic depth, and readiness for publication. (Optional 45-minute Zoom session: Additional $35)

Each consultation is tailored to provide constructive and meaningful feedback, aimed at helping poets elevate their work to its fullest potential.

Terms and Conditions

By submitting a manuscript for consultation, the author acknowledges an understanding of the services offered and agrees to the terms and conditions outlined. It is the author’s responsibility to clearly communicate specific goals for the manuscript. The author also affirms that the work submitted is original and does not violate any copyrights.

Please note that a consultation is distinct from editing services, focusing on broader thematic and compositional feedback rather than line-by-line edits. The aim is to elevate the work, fostering a respectful exchange throughout the consultation process. Comments will not be provided on any work containing hateful speech or derogatory content.

For consultations, feedback will be provided as follows:

• Single Poems and Short Folios: A minimum of 3 to 4 comments per page.

• Chapbooks and Full-Length Manuscripts: One to two comments per page.

Chapbook and full-length manuscript submissions include the option to schedule a follow-up Zoom session to discuss the manuscript in detail. The follow-up sessions are:

• 30-minutes for chapbooks

• 45-minutes for full-length manuscripts

You will receive a link to schedule the session. Sessions must be scheduled within one week of receiving the manuscript feedback and completed within three weeks of the manuscript consultation.

All consultations are final. If the author seeks additional feedback on the same work or any future revised draft of the work, a new submission will be required. All work submitted will receive comments within 30 calendar days. If the author is working with a tight deadline, this should be communicated, and every effort will be made to return feedback sooner.

Submission Process

1. Choose Your Consultation from the list (below): Select the type of consultation that best suits your needs.

2. Add a Zoom Session: If submitting a chapbook or full-length manuscript, consider adding a follow-up Zoom session for a more in-depth discussion.

3. Complete Payment: Finalize your submission by processing the payment.

4. Upload Your Manuscript: Once payment has been received, you will receive a link to upload your manuscript along with a cover letter outlining specific areas you would like to focus on during the consultation.