Long-standing professional member of the AFEPI, specialising in poetry and literary editing.

An experienced journal editor, Amanda was assistant editor of The Haibun Journal for all 14 issues (2019-2025); guest editor of Seashores, Spring 2026, and on the editorial team of Early Morning Firefly: An adaptation of the Japanese saijiki (The Fishing Cat Press, 2024) and Double Horizon (Fishing Cat Press, 2025).

Professional member of the Irish Writers Centre, where she is a mentor.

Amanda runs workshops for groups, and in primary, secondary and third level education.

Testimonials

Poetry Editing

‘Amanda edited my poetry manuscript with empathy, grace and painstaking commitment to detail. Her insights helped reshape any inconsistencies as well as add clarity in places where perhaps the meaning was vague or abstracted. Not only did she remedy any technical hiccups, but she was able to spot a limp line and haul it out for interrogation. I got far more than the line edit I paid for, and Amanda asked questions that nudged me gently towards changes. It was such a joy to get the insights and wisdom of someone who knows her way around a poem.’ – Alvy Carragher

‘As writers, we are often too close to our own work to copy edit or proofread it effectively. When I’d completed the final draft of my third poetry manuscript and wanted expert, objective eyes to give each poem the careful attention it deserved, Amanda was the first person who came to mind. An acclaimed poet as well as an editor, she understands the absolute need for clarity and precision; knows firsthand how a stray word or punctuation mark can throw a line off or obscure meaning. Amanda’s warm, professional and collaborative working style make her a real pleasure to work with, and my manuscript is now polished and ready for action!’ – Anne Tannam

Amanda’s help was invaluable to me in 2021 when I was preparing my poetry collection, Sea-soul, for publication. She combined her finely honed skills and talents as a poet and editor to really get under the skin of the poems and let them breathe. A suggested tweak here and there brought greater clarity, emphasis or flow. Indeed, punctuation was something I struggled with. By getting me to recite the poems aloud, I learned that punctuation too lies within, waiting to be realised. In fact, she delivered a masterclass. Fine tuning at its finest! – Antoinette Walker, Sea-soul, 2021

Mentoring

‘Right from the outset of preparing poems for publication, it was clear that I was in contact with someone with an extensive and expert knowledge of her field. Amanda’s approach offered me a valuable mix of practical guidelines, observations for reflection and a much needed overall map of the territory. It was a fascinating project culminating in the joy of publishing a first poetry collection.’ 

Liz Norris, Bumblebees Sages and Friends, Alba Publishing, 2024

‘Amanda Bell worked with me as a mentor and editor on a children’s book that I had adapted from one of my radio plays. It was post Covid and we worked over Zoom but even this wasn’t a drawback to Amanda’s skills as a mentor. From the beginning it was evident that she had  taken the time to read through the manuscript before our first session and her thorough and intuitive approach guided me through the process. I thought that my story was finished when I began with Amanda but I ended up writing a further 3 chapters. At all times, I felt that Amanda was guiding me but the final decisions were mine. She gave great advice on the structure and narrative flow as well as fleshing out the characters. She also highlighted the more technical tweaks needed such as less repetition of words and correction to punctuation. It would be great to have an Amanda available to me on all of my writing projects! Her broad skills and talent both as a writer, poet, mentor and editor all come through in the service she provides. I would highly recommend Amanda as an editor.’ – Ann Dalton, Writer/Producer, www.seoidproductions.com

‘I worked with Amanda Bell for over 9 months. I was lost and confused at times and she helped to put me in the right direction. I gained from her considerable knowledge and experience. As a fellow poet, she is well versed to help other writers to edit and craft their work. She is worth her weight in gold. I would recommend Amanda for anyone seeking professional help with their writing.’ – Diarmuid Fitzgerald, poet and novelist, June 2022

Writing Workshops

‘Amanda is a natural course-leader who knows how to maintain a delightful balance between providing information and readings to stimulate the creative process and encouraging fledgling writers to put pen to paper, providing constructive and insightful feedback at every turn.’ – Una G. , ‘A Sense of Place’ workshop

‘Brilliant course that has been really well thought out and put together with a sure touch to deliver maximum benefit to all participants.’ – Vincent C., ‘The Pleasure of Poetry’ course

‘I very much enjoyed the workshop. You are a fantastic teacher. I was inspired.’ – Andrew M., Haiku workshop

“Wonderful course, focussing on a sense of place and the natural world around us.” Michelle Walsh, ‘A Sense of Place’ workshop