Testimonials

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Terry Lucas is a word master who brings to his editorial work a keen poetic eye and ear. Attuned to his authors' needs, acute in his assessments, and generously proactive in his editorial collaboration, he can make a manuscript truly sing.

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David Groff, Lambda Award-Winning independent book editor, writer, poet, teacher, publishing consultant, and literary agent scout, New York, New York, http://www.davidgroff.com

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When I first met Terry, I was in love with writing but riddled with self-doubt. Each time I put my pen to the page, I felt a little bit like a fraud. In the three years since then, my weekly sessions with Terry have helped me gain confidence in my own voice. They've also helped me understand that I can allow room for my voice to change as I become better attuned to both the mystery and craft of poetry. 

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Since meeting Terry, I've stopped dabbling in poetry and now actually write it. I've been honored to have several poems place, become finalists, or win in major competitions. In 2019, I was the second-place winner in the Frontier Poetry OPEN competition and the first-place winner of Frontier's Industry Prize. Terry helped me assemble my first full-length manuscript, which was a semi-finalist for the 2019 Philip Levine Poetry Prize. I was also recently accepted for admission to Trinity College, Dublin's M. Phil. in Creative Writing program.

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None of this would have taken place without Terry's generous guidance and support, and to say I'm grateful would be a remarkable understatement. I can't recommend his coaching services enough.

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Elizabeth Oxley, Poet, www.elizabethoxley.com

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I'm not exaggerating when I write that Terry Lucas is the reason that I'm a published poet. Based upon his thoughtful review of my work and his broad knowledge of the literary journal universe, I followed his advice and received three acceptances in one month. He's the best!

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Merna Skinner, President, Satori Communications, Inc., Los Angeles, California, https://www.mernadyerskinner.com 

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Terry Lucas is a poetry consultant who guided me through writing revising, choosing, and submitting my first three published poems over a period of four months! His personal understanding and encouragement, his artistic skill and insight, and his professional knowledge and experience took me and my poetry writing to new places and possibilities. I went from the guy writing a poem entitled "If I Were a Poet" to getting that poem published, and at long last, to seeing myself as a poet. He welcomed me into that community of poets that is so important to him, and that had seemed so closed to me before I met Terry. What gifts he has as a poet. What a gift he is as a mentor.

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Jim Benton, retired schoolteacher and poet, Ft. Worth, Texas

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Terry Lucas is an editor whose insight and precision strengthens the writer's aim as he points to what must be tightened, developed, or reconsidered. He is an editor who never fails to find the pulse of a writer's work, making sure that what is on the page is aligned with the writer's vision.

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Tayve Neese, poet, essayist, Co-Executive editor of Trio House Press and Founder of The Banyan Review,

https://tayveneese.com, https://www.triohousepress.org, http://www.thebanyanreview.com

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My experience with Terry Lucas has profoundly changed my relationship with poetry writing.  Prior to working with Terry, I would have never considered submitting poetry to journals.  I do that now, with some confidence, and I feel that my poems have something to offer.  He has helped me to feel that I have something genuine and worthwhile to give through my writing. 

 

I greatly admire Terry’s wonderful musical ear, and his careful and thoughtful approach to meter. I strongly feel that he could provide concrete help to any aspiring poet.

 

He is also incredibly patient.  He combines a consistently supportive and sensitive presence with an unfailingly kind approach.  Having worked with other poetry coaches in the past, I know that not every would-be mentor is fortunate enough to possess these invaluable strengths!

 

Terry has also brought a willingness to understand my particular situation.  He has always been sensitive to the constraints I face in developing my writing while simultaneously trying to meet the demands of a fairly strenuous “day job”.  Yet, he also consistently challenges me to grow as a poet.

 

Without hesitation, I would recommend Terry Lucas to anyone seeking a poetry coach or mentor.

 

Brian Collinson, Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) & Jungian Psychoanalyst (IAAP), Ontario, Canada

https://www.briancollinson.ca

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One of the best things I’ve done for myself is to hire Terry Lucas as a poetry coach. I had written plenty of poems but had no idea how to develop my work into a manuscript. Terry walked me through his process of selecting and ordering my poems, and over six weeks we went through each individual piece to improve it. He provided insight into word choice, word placement, enjambment, decluttering, and so much more, without changing my poetic voice. He gave me fresh ideas for the overall structure of the manuscript to ensure it stands out. Through the process, he was always available on email between our weekly calls. His expertise, knowledge of the publishing industry, and intense focus on my work left me with a manuscript I’m proud of, as well as new skills to improve my poems. Terry is a pleasure to work with. I recommend him to all my writing friends.

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Lisa Alletson, Toronto, Canada, author of prize-winning Good Mother Lizard, www.lisaalletson.com