CAROL HEGBERG is an internationally published, award-winning writer and content editor. Her novel is entitled Pen Pals. Her poetry, scripts, short stories, and articles have been published in many magazines and books.

Carol knows the endurance, tenacity, and patience a writer must possess to become published. Beginning writers, published authors, agents with needy clients, and publishers who need developmental editing for their writers use her services. She helps rewrite speeches, short stories or collections, articles, essays, and manuscripts. She helps develop inspirational, Christian, and picture-book manuscripts, children and young-adult fiction and nonfiction. She's available for writing help with manuscript submissions, query letters, and book proposals.

Author:

Rochelle. Arcadia Publishing. 2007
The Lincoln Highway through Rochelle was originally a Potawatomi Indian trail. In 1853, Robert P. Lane purchased land from Charlotte Bartholomew, Sheldon Bartholomew’s widow, near the settlement known as Hickory Grove, and the community became officially known as Lane. After a hanging scandal, the citizens renamed their village Rochelle. From then, the town grew to the largest city in Ogle County. Rochelle’s famous railroad park and the diamond (crossing of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad) attract visitors throughout the year. The park’s tourist center is located in a refurbished Standard Oil gas station. The Flagg Township Historical Museum offers times gone by in many forms in the 1884 city hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. Rochelle offers suburban amenities with the healthy atmosphere of the small town where actress Joan Allen grew up.

"Carol Hegberg's novel, Pen Pals (2004), introduces us to first love amidst the pressures of qualifying for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team. Carol Hegberg, a seasoned editor and now a novelist, performs exceptionally with the writing of Pen Pals. This first effort is clearly worthy of the gold medal." Author's New Novel Worthy of the Gold, by John Albion, novelist and business writer from Milwaukee, WI. His latest novel is Beyond Fate (Author House, 2003).

Meet the Disciples, Meriwether Publishing, Colorado Springs, CO, 1986

Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome with Dysautonomia: One Woman's Story, self-published, 2000

The Secret of the Gifts, Meriwether Publishing, Colorado Springs, CO, 1996

Contributor:

Day by Day, edited by Phyllis A. Frantz, Judson Press, Valley Forge, PA, 1988
 

Elvis Monologues, edited by Lavonne Mueller (Broadway Playwright), published by Heinemann, Portsmouth, NH, 1998

SPECIALTIES:

FICTION: adventure, confession, contemporary, experimental, fantasy, feminist, historical, humor, juvenile, literary, mainstream, mystery, picture books, religious, romance, science fiction, speculative, spiritual, western, or young adult.

NONFICTION: Americana, animals, biography, coffee-table books, environment, gardening, health, history, hobby, how-to, humor, juvenile, illustrated, literature, memoirs, music, nature, nutrition, parenting, philosophy, picture books, religious, self-help, spiritual, technical, textbooks, travel, women's issues.

The poetry of Carol Hegberg

FRIENDSHIP

by Carol Hegberg

I am braiding a rug of friendship
That won't come right.

Three strands . . .
you, me, my other . . .
That twist, tangle,
Trying to be what they can't.
One wraps mine in too much love
The other binds;
One endless plait sewn in a wreath of torture.

From above it appears a beautiful rug,
Yet with the next loop, what will the strands create?
Friendship, after all, is love without wings,
And my rug yearns to soar through the glittery night with you.

--published in 1997, Voice from the Valley, literary magazine
of Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL



TRAZODONE

by Carol Hegberg

I am not lazy,
nor am I crazy.
I feel both today.

Awake before the singing of the clock:
a good sign.
I arise, hopeful, but then . . .
hope is punctured and removed
as easily as Jim's gall bladder.

Someone has screwed a tourniquet onto my temples.
My heart threatens to blow up in my hands and ankles.
Lightning strikes in my head,
and however firmly I press,
it will not easily say goodbye.
My skin begs to explode and
my stomach boxes against my innards.
I'm as nervous as a kettle, and
anger steams from my mouth:
This is not me! This cannot be me!
I hurry upstairs, downstairs,
clucking like a half-dead chicken.

I will lie down and sleep this away.
Surely the angels will come
(for I have prayed ten years)
and release me of this demon.
But sleep has come and gone and left no promises.

Last night I tasted trazodone.
It will make you sleep, the doctor assured.
Aw, sweet sleep, I crave you.
It will dry your tears before they shape.
I despise my tears.
Come, trazodone, go into me,
be my lover for one night.

Now today I know two facts:
I love my tears and
trazodone will never seduce me again.
--published in 2002 on Ivy Vine

Trilogy:

THE SHOCK

By Carol Hegberg

Who would have thought it possible?
Not I, your mother.
I stand in shock at the words
Tumbling from the raw rude mouth
I've always loved.
The words are sad,
Tears anointing each as holy.

My baby, my love,
The one I cannot understand,
Have never understood,
Your creativity blazes above mine
And cruises unknown streets
In a town I don't know the name of.

You are lost there,
And run as I try,
I can barely hear your voice,
Let alone reach you.
I seek, I shout, I whisper;
I call in vain.
I wander the youthful dreams of my own
In search of you, my baby, my love.

Where have you gone?
Did you step back, back, backwards
Until without realizing,
You fell off a cliff
Into a ugly pit?


We who love you stand at the rim
And call to you.
We sing you a lullaby.
We see you in body,
But where has the real baby, my love, gone?
Has she withdrawn even in the pit?

Come back to us, my baby, my love.
What makes you so scared?
What makes you run from life?
What rages within you and why?
We who love you will always be here
To pick you up and carry you, if needed,
And will never leave you.

You must meet us, part way.
You must come from the dark place.
Do you not trust us?
How can love not be trusted?
Tell us, tell us, tell us
What you want and need and crave!
--published April, 2003. with the following two poems as a trilogy


IN TORMENT

By Carol Hegberg

I thought I could endure anything
Since living with the syndrome.
Yet some evil tosses
Raw red human obstacles
In our family pathways
So we must run a crooked course
To find our own beloved.

I see you in the doorway
Your amber eyes
Stinging me in the silence,
Trying to shove me from your presence.

You cannot rid me from your life.
I will patiently fight for you
In your presence and out.
I will endure the gnawing stomach,
The restlessness of worry,
The ugly dreams tossing my body,
And my constant search
To make sense of your wounds.

Why?
What do you want of life?
Are you afraid?
Or pissed off and filled with fury?

Do you want me around, my attention?
Or do you hunger for my absence?
Do you love me or hate me?
Maybe both.


I must remain silent,
And yet to be sane, I need to talk.
Where should I go?
I want to stay home, imprisoned with your raw spirit.
Going out is an unbelief,
Only for those who make sense of their world,
Only for those who are happy
And only those with trivial complaints
Can visit the outer world.
--published as second of trilogy


COMING ALONG

By Carol Hegberg

As I drive along, reading bumper stickers,
Within my soul the magnificence
Of whom you will become sparkles.
Nothing is impossible!
All things are possible
For you, my baby, my love!
My mind, like a giant hand,
Yanks into the blue and white sky,
Soaring to find you.
I KNOW you are here.
You are stretching the sky, becoming YOU.

I want to hint of what is to come.
Instead, I gaze contentedly at your beautiful profile,
Overlooking the chasm between now and then.
I pat your leg in assurance,
Declaring you will become YOU,
Inspite of all obstinate odds.

Fly away, my baby, my love.
When the time is right, you will know.
And the world will become a kindergarten
For you to explore with delight.
-- -published as third of trilogy



I WILL NOT COMPETE

By Carol Hegberg

World,
I will not compete with you anymore.

I tried to keep up,
Running hard to match my talents,
Such as they are,
Against the multitudes of unknowns.
In their dust I stand
Bruised red-purple with rejection.

Who am I (Rocky Graciano?)
To take on the world?

I forget Your indifference,Your ostracism.
I am complete within myself,
A distinctive human;
No one else is me in the multitudes.
Therefore, I cannot lose
Because I am alive.
And whatever I give has been created
And handed to You with love.
If I share with You and the multitudes,
You should receive out of love.
In theory.

So, dear World,
These are my terms:
I will be me, I will create, but
I will not compete anymore.

--published in 1998 in The Rough Draft

For more information about Carol Hegberg, click here to read her self-interview.

Feedback "This site is such a tremendous resource. Carol Hegberg couldn't have been more professional and courteous in her work for me. I entered this with a great amount of trepidation. My manuscript had deep personal meaning to me, and while I was ready for critiquing, I had a lingering fear that whoever looked at my final edits would tell me that the story was 'unpublishable' or simply that he/she hated it and that I should give up my dream. I realize I wasn't being realistic in this, but that was my thinking anyway. Carol was most encouraging and helpful. She is amazing in her talent at focusing and cleaning up my thought processes while still keeping my 'voice.' Carol's edits gave me the confidence I needed to feel that I am now ready to present my words to a publisher/agent. I am very thankful that I found her and realize what a treasure she is. I highly recommend her." Kenny Gleed "What you did for me, Carol, has been very helpful. Not just the actual editing changes, but I’ve learned much from looking at all you did and analyzing why you did it. Many times your comments taught me things I could apply to the parts you didn’t edit." Jess Duboy, singer & writer "Carol was very kind and very prompt. Her comments were extremely thoughtful and she helped the flow of my story." Cheryl Bowdre, Sickle Cell Research Coordinator, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia "I am not a professional, so it was important I find someone who could hold my hand along the process. Carol was just the person I needed. She was straight and up-front with me all the way. Her attention to detail helped bring my family history to life. I would gladly recommend her. Thanks again, Carol, for everything." Thomas Darren Jackson, author of My Black History       "Carol Hegberg was efficient and personable. I would recommend Carol Hegberg and Book Editing Associates to others searching for professional editing." (Contact information on request) "It has been a pleasure to find quality service from a personable editor via the internet options. It was quite difficult to read and research about various editing options before making a choice. I am very happy with your service and quality of work." Virginia Heslinga, author of Wounded Dove     "Thank you for your sound advice. It helped me bring a dream to reality." Susan Krause, author of Lilith A. Wilith and creator of various Lilith materials.   Featured on the TODAY show in December, 2005, as one of the top 10 best presents under $10 for children.   “Bravo to you, Carol, for your professionalism, humor, and creativity and for helping me bring my stories to life! Because of you, I’ve touched someone’s heart. Thank you." Nancy Muré, author of The Caterpillar  That Wouldn’t Change, Massimo’s Meatballs, The Pizza Man and the Parrots, and Unidentical Twins.       "Carol Hegberg considerably exceeded my expectations in a copyeditor. She was not only thorough and precise, but made helpful suggestions to clarify the sense of several complex passages. I learned from her and would definitely recommend her." David Nolta.         "Carol breathed life into my top-selling children's story, Irregular Joe, with her wonderful way with words." Nancy S. Mure, author of Irregular Joe         "Ms. Hegberg is a master wordsmith! I've watched my children's picture book stories, The Caterpillar that Wouldn't Change and Massimo's Meatballs, evolve into published bestsellers in 2005!"  "Ms. Hegberg's high level of commitment, professionalism, timely turnaround, wit and guidance throughout the editing process and beyond has reshaped my words into written treasures. Her exceptional ability to 'say it better' has helped me to get 3 more books released in 2006!" Nancy S. Mure, children's book author, www.nancysmure.com         "Carol Hegberg's copyediting helped us to make our books more polished and professional. Her keen inputs for addressing grammatical and structural problems allowed us to eliminate errors without sacrificing the style of our authors." Holly Gruber, editor, Quality Words In Print - Searching for a Mustard Seed, Grave Circles, and Writing the Book of Ester.         "Carol is the Cinderella of Literature. Any time I've asked her help, I have gotten a thoughtful, but thorough answer. Her devotion and sincerity have been invaluable during a time I need mentoring. She better live forever because I never want to change editors!" Season BubbleGirl, author of A Doggy Diary.       "Her knowledge of writing, as well as her own passion to write, is evident in the upgrades she made (to my book). Her expertise in writing and life was an absolute complement to the pages. I'm really glad I decided to have her edit my book. She's definitely a writer's editor and could feel the direction I attempted to go with the book." Ethan Henderson, author of Why Kids Don’t Have Heart Attacks       "I couldn't be more pleased with your service. Your editing added a spice to my work that I don't think I could have found anywhere else. Thanks!" Rev. Benjamin Corey, author of Hope's Favorite Bedtime Story   "This is my first manuscript. After submitting it to the network, I had severe second thoughts. Do I really have a message? Is it good enough for others to comprehend? Carol’s response absolutely made my day. Not only did she do an excellent editing job, but talking with her via phone gave me confirmation that the work was a needed one. It’s one thing to have family encourage (they love you), but it’s entirely different to have someone in the professional field nod their head for you. I cannot say enough good things. Yes, I will use her again and hopefully again and again. Thank you so much for all of your help." Beverley Henslee, author of This Glorious Body "Asking if Carol Hegberg can edit is like asking if Travolta can dance." Kevin Sanders, author of Annabelle's Butterfly "The study guide looks exactly how I wanted it. Thanks on doing a quality job." Mark Buckingham, writer of teacher study manuals "Carol is the best kind of editor. She challenged and polished my writing, while letting me retain my voice." Hue HaQuang, author of Waiting for Little Tears from Afar   "Carol worked so well on Doggy Diary that I hired her to edit Absolute Individual. Her editing skills blend with her compassion and life experience, which complements the mood expressed in the writing. An editor who cares about how your writing is expressed is worth more than someone who just edits punctuation." Season BubbleGirl, author of Absolute Individual         "I've incorporated your edits and think the product is much more cohesive and easier to understand. Thanks for your input!" JoAnn Taylor, The Only Possible Outcome, 2004. "This was my first effort at a fiction novel. Carol took a very rough piece of work and separated and refined the useful parts that told my story. Her comments and criticism were always positive and something to build on in the future. (She would probably say too many prepositional phrases.) She made the editing experience almost as rewarding as the writing itself." Kevin L. Sanders, attorney-at-law, author of Annabelle's Butterfly "I found her professional editing to be thorough. She also inserted suggested changes that would clarify the content of each poem. She brought my poems and book to a higher level of understanding and readability. Her perspective opened each poem in ways I didn’t see. Her objectivity as an editor gave me confidence in my writing ability. I am thankful Book Editing Associates is available online. It was a joy to work with her." Diana Hindman, author of poetry book, The Dancer         "Carol, thank you for the awesome job you did in editing my book. You brought great perspective with your editing, were very timely, and also very affordable. My book would not be what it is without your help. You are God-blessed with superior talents. Thanks again!" Kirk Gilchrist, author of The Journey; Pastor – New Life Christian Church “Thank you very much for your excellent editing. I love your work. It has been a delight working with you.” Dr. Robert Weller, D. D. S. “You Can’t Bite Down” "As an author I was in search of the peace of mind that comes from knowing that my finished work would be in the best form possible. I found that in the editing services of Carol Hegberg. I've gotten excellent reviews." Janeece Jones, author of Eyes Vol. I       "Carol helped me to reconfigure my manuscript. Her editing made my work easier to read. She responded and still responds to any concerns I have regarding the manuscript. The money I spent on editing was worth every cent. I am happy to have known Carol. She has given my story new life. Thank you, Carol." Cheryl Gittens-Jones "Carol provided me with an excellent critique of an early draft of my novel. I received thorough feedback that I found both insightful, specific, and clearly articulated. Her critique was exactly what I was looking for at that particular stage of my novels development. I highly recommend Carol M. Hegberg to anyone looking to improve their manuscript. Not to mention she was easy to work with!" Javy Galindo, manuscript critiqued "Carol was great to work with. She was very efficient and was easy to contact. I look forward to working with her again." Christine Roisum, author of My Gray Hat

Submission Cut and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail: EditMyBook@Gmail.com Alternates: 2010 at book-editing.com help2010 at airmail.net Required: Submit the first 50 pages of your manuscript (Word/DOC or RTF attachment preferred). Large files should be zipped. Attachment not required if writing has not started (e.g., because you're looking for a ghostwriter). Along with a sample, the following information is required. Ignore questions that do not apply to your project (e.g., footnotes). (01) Word count of complete project (under "Tools" in MS Word): (02) Put your 100-word (approx) synopsis/description here (or attach): (03) Describe your genre and topic (e.g., nonfiction/self-help, science fiction, horror, romance, mystery, Western, young adult, children, poetry, Christian, creative nonfiction, literary): (04) Deadline date, if any, for return of complete project. (Please be realistic. Remember that professional editors usually have a project in process.): (05) If you have no immediate deadline, when do you want to start the editing process?: (For instance: within 30 days, within 60 days, within 90 days, 4-12 months) (06) Level of editing desired/expected -- Copyediting / Proofreading / Line Editing (e.g., English corrections, typos, paragraph and sentence structure, word use) Developmental (e.g., help with the big picture, such as flow/pacing, telling the story, characterization, structure, style) Rewriting / Ghostwriting Critique / Evaluation (07) Number of charts/tables/pictures (if any): (08) Writing style/format manual (e.g., Chicago Manual, APA, MLA), if applicable: (09) Number of footnotes/references: (10) Do you have a contract with an agent or publisher?: (11) Do you plan to self-publish?: (12) What is your budget for the entire project? $ ________________ (Note: The editors will quote their regular rates, but having an idea of your budget allows the editors to tell you what services they can provide to stay within that budget.) (13) Your name: (14) E-mail addresses: (15) Day/evening phone numbers (required -- in case the response to your e-mail bounces or the editors need clarification regarding the scope of service needed, deadline, etc.): (16) City, State, Country (or time zone): (17) The name(s) of the editor(s)/writer(s) you'd like to contact. (If no names are selected, your e-mail will be sent to several consultants chosen by the coordinator): (18) Do you want the coordinator to reroute your submission if you requested editors/writers who (a) are not available by your deadline date, (b) do not handle the type of material you submitted, and/or (c) do not perform the service(s) you want? (19) How did you learn about our service?: (20) Attach the first 50 pages of your manuscript (include prologue/preface, proposal, query) Notes: No hidden charges We won't quote you one price and charge you another. When possible, we'll provide you with a per-word or per-page rate so you'll know up front exactly how much your project will cost. (Of course, we ask that you fairly represent the scope of your project.) To learn more about the rates charged by professional editors, please see: Editorial Freelancers Association It is a mistaken notion that freelance editors work "on spec" (speculation) with no payment to the editor. It is basically asking the editor to work for free. There's no guarantee that a book will see a profit (or even be published). The editors posted here do not work on spec. LIVE AGENT Note: Price quotes and time estimates for individual editors cannot be given over the phone or via chat. This is a network of freelance editors with varying prices and work schedules (see our FAQ). To obtain a price quote please follow the procedures listed on our quotes page. Contact live support if you do not receive a response within three hours. It is possible that your submission was not received. You may also page the network coordinator by leaving voicemail or sending a fax to 469-789-3030. Please be as complete as possible in representing your project's scope and size so you will receive the most accurate estimate. Disclaimer: Your agreement, whether oral or written, is with your freelance editor / proofreader / writer, not with the freelance network as a whole or its coordinator.