Caroline T. has been editing popular fiction for 20 years and has 200+ novels under her belt. Her ability to see the big picture, combined with an in-depth knowledge of today’s publishing market, makes her an invaluable partner in the editing and publishing process.

A former in-house editor at Pocket Books—a division of Simon & Schuster, the premiere New York City publisher of commercial and trade fiction—an outside editor for Harper Collins/Avon, and a reader for The Literary Guild and The Rhapsody Book Club, Caroline’s particular expertise is historical and contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and romantic suspense. Carla Neggers, Karen Robards and Andrea Kane—three New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling authors—had books edited by Caroline. She also specializes in suspense thrillers, crime fiction, amateur sleuths, sagas, inspirational romance, westerns, urban fantasy and African-American popular fiction.  She holds workshops on the writer’s conference circuit and speaks at numerous venues to help advance the cause of popular fiction for women.

Known for her accessibility, Caroline is available to answer any questions a client may have; from a simple inquiry regarding point of view switching, to a larger issue regarding career path. She is a hands-on editor, likes to put her blue pen to work, and enjoys brainstorming with writers. She is a mentor, a guide and a source of vast knowledge on the subject of popular fiction.  Caroline offers content and developmental editing with commentary; minor line-editing if necessary, submission help, and career consulting.

LIST OF FICTION TITLES EDITED/PUBLISHED:

Suspense Thrillers and Historical Romance: Kane, Andrea: NY Times bestseller; RUN FOR YOUR LIFE 11/00, NO WAY OUT 11/01, WAIT UNTIL DARK anthology 5/01, SCENT OF DANGER 2/03, I’LL BE WATCHING YOU 1/06, WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME 3/07, DARK ROOM 3/08. MY HEART’S DESIRE 10/91, SAMANTHA, THE GOLD COIN, THE SILVER COIN, THE MUSIC BOX, THE THEFT, THE BLACK DIAMOND, THE LEGACY OF THE DIAMOND, WISHES IN THE WIND, THE EMERALD GARDEN, ECHOES IN THE MIST, THE LAST DUKE 6/95, MASQUE OF BETRAYAL, DREAM CASTLE, A GIFT OF LOVE anthology 11/96.

Historical Romance: Dawson, Geralyn: USA TODAY bestseller: THE KISSING STARS 1/99, THE BAD LUCK WEDDING CAKE 1/98, UNDER THE BOARDWALK anthology 7/99, BAD LUCK WEDDING NIGHT 4/01, SIMMER ALL NIGHT 1/99, SIZZLE ALL DAY 8/00, THE WEDDING RAFFLE 8/98, THE WEDDING RANSOM 2/98, THE PINK MAGNOLIA CLUB 8/02, A SEASON IN THE HIGHLANDS anthology 11/00.

Western Historical Romance: Holm, Stef Ann: HEARTS 11/01, HONEY 2/00, HOOKED 1/99, PORTRAITS 1/96, CROSSINGS 1/96, FORGET ME NOT 5/97, WEEPING ANGEL 11/98, SEASONS OF GOLD 1/92, UPON A MIDNIGHT CLEAR anthology 11/98, THE RUNAWAY HEIRESS 1/02.

Contemporary Women’s Fiction: Ross, JoAnn: NY Times bestseller.  FAIRHAVEN 8/00, LEGENDS LAKE 7/01, HOMEPLACE 4/  , FAR HARBOR, BLUE BAYOU 4/02, RIVER ROAD 11/02, MAGNOLIA MOON 1/03

Romantic Suspense: Neggers, Carla: NY Times bestseller.  NIGHT SCENTS /97, JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.

Romantic Suspense/Historical Romance: Robards, Karen: NY Times bestseller. TO TRUST A STRANGER, PARADISE COUNTY, WHISPERS AT MIGNIGHT, IRRESISTABLE, SHATTERED, SHAMELESS, SCANDALOUS.

Western Fiction: Miller, Dawn: THE JOURNAL OF CALLIE WADE, LETTERS TO CALLIE.

Fiction: Wilson, Susan: HAWKE'S COVE, FORTUNE TELLERS DAUGHTER, CAMEO LAKE

African- American Contemporary Romance: Foxx, Nina: MARRYING UP, GOING BUCK WILD

Urban Women’s Fiction/Suspense: Low, Gennita:  FACING FEAR ‘04

Mystery/Suspense:  Anderson, Linda:  THE SECRETS OF SADIE MAYNARD ‘99, WHEN NIGHT FALLS ’00.

African-American Contemporary Romance: Woolridge, Lori-Bryant:  #1 Essence Magazine bestseller; HITTS & MRS.

Historical Romance: Barber, Brenda Hiatt: TAMING TESSA ‘04

African-American Romance: Ewing, Rita:  BRICKHOUSE ‘05

African-American Romance: Monteilh, Marissa: HOT BOYZ ‘07

African-American Romance: Amos, Robyn: WEDDING BELL BLUES

Authentic Western Women’s Novels: Hurd, Jerrie; MISS ELLIE’S PURPLE SAGE SALOON, THE LADY PINKERTON GETS HER MAN, KATE BURKE SHOOTS THE OLD WEST.

Cozy Mystery: Scott, Michele: A MURDER UNCORKED ‘05

Urban Fantasy/Women’s Fiction: Estep, Jennifer:  KARMA GIRL ‘07

Historical Romance: Sutcliffe, Katherine:  FEVER 6/01, OBSESSION ‘02.

Historical Romance: George, Melanie: THE ART OF SEDUCTION, A VERY GOTHIC CHRISTMAS anthology.

Scottish Historical Romance: Lamb, Arnette: HIGHLAND ROGUE ‘91, BORDER LORD, BETRAYED, MAIDEN OF INVERNESS, BORDER BRIDE 1/93, TRUE HEART, BEGUILED 5/96, CHIEFTAIN 1/94, THREADS OF DESTINY, BETROTHAL.

Western Historical Romance: Skinner, Gloria Dale: HELLION 9/98, CASSANDRA 1/98, JULIANNA 5/97, RANSOM 9/96.

Historical Romance: Bingham, Lisa: SILKEN DREAMS ‘91, EDEN CREEK, DISTANT THUNDER, TEMPTATION’S KISS, THE BENGAL RUBIES, SILKEN PROMISES, SWEET DALLIANCE, SWEET DEFIANCE, SWEET DECADENCE ’96.

Medieval Historical Romance: Rogers, Marylyle: WARY HEARTS ’88, THE DRAGON’S FIRE, HIDDEN HEARTS, PROUD HEARTS, CHANTING THE DAWN, THE KEEPSAKE, CHANTING THE STORM,  TWILIGHT SECRETS ’94.

Historical Romance:  Guhrke, Laura Lee: BREATHLESS ’99, THE CHARADE.

Professional Experience

Freelance Book Editor
The editorial service attracts both unpublished writers as well as established and newly published authors. Strictly word-of-mouth; no advertising.  Largest percent of clients have written general fiction (commercial and literary). Some non-fiction and young adult projects. Authors send complete manuscripts which are then thoroughly edited for content, character development, pacing, marketability and story.  In addition, clients are offered consultations on career tracking, market conditions and how to get representation.
 
Bookspan/Direct Brands, Division of Bertelsman
Freelance Reader
Read and provide written evaluations of manuscripts from assorted publishers for Book Club editorial panel (Book-of-The-Month-Club, The Literary Guild, Mystery Book Club, Doubleday Book Club, Rhapsody Book Club). Write opinions and plot summary. Emphasis on hardcover and trade paperback women’s fiction. 3-5 titles per month.

Avon Books, HarperCollins Publishers
Freelance Editing:
Editorial jobs were given to me by various in-house editors. Complete manuscripts were forwarded for full and complete edit; both content and line edit. Projects predominantly African-American fiction, mysteries and some historical romance. Provided written commentary to authors via in-house editors.

Pocket Books, Division of Simon &  Schuster
Executive Editor

1. Extensive contact and interaction with agents and substantial negotiation work on multi-book and multi-faceted contracts. Relationships with agents solidified from fifteen years in book publishing. Contact list extensive.
2. Worked with New York Times bestselling authors as well as scouted new talent and lured potential authors from other publishing houses. Included were all aspects of editorial work starting with story development and ending with final pages; short and long term goals; career planning and scheduling; growth from paperback to hardcover.
3. Knowledge of and participation in publicity, sales, marketing, subsidiary rights, audio, promotion, distribution and art direction involved with all levels of book publishing.
4. Assisted Editorial Director in overseeing junior staff; ie. wrote performance reviews, attended staff meetings, oversaw projects, coordinated special projects. Multi-tasking and keen organization and time management, key components.
5. Continued all previous job responsibilities.

Senior Editor

1. Contributed to development and launch of Sonnet Historial Romance line in 1999 to expand Pocket Books’  paperback program.
2. Worked with New York Times bestselling authors, including travel to sales meetings, tours.
3. Increased Hardcover acquisitions. Focused primarily on fiction, but some non-fiction experience at this level.
4. Extensive travel and presentation work at writer’s conferences and retreats.
5. Attended editorial meetings, sales conferences, art meetings, marketing meetings.
6. Continued with all previous job responsibilities.

Editor

1. Expanded into acquisitions of contemporary fiction as well as continuing with Historical fiction, sagas, suspense.
2. Continued all editorial work with personal stable of authors.
3. Expanded into negotiating bigger contracts, larger selling authors.
4. Continued with all previous responsibilities.
5. Supervised Editorial Assistant.
6. Computer skills; Word.

Associate Editor

1. Focus on historical romance originals
2. Discovered authors; negotiated with agents.
3. Handled all aspects of manuscript editing and evaluation from conception to finished book.
4. Attended weekly editorial meetings.
5. Gave presentations at writers’ conferences.

Doubleday Book and Music Clubs
Assistant Editor

1. Assisted editor-in-chief in evaluating manuscripts, completing reader reports, obtaining publishing rights and permissions.
2. Attended weekly editorial and art direction meetings.
3. Assisted with production of monthly mailing to club members.

Articles

Do Editors Edit?

FEEDBACK “I was in need of an experienced developmental editor to take my book to the next level. Caroline’s feedback was spot-on and exactly what I was looking for. I had originally planned on spending much less on an editor and was nervous about paying so much money, but what I got was worth the cost. She didn’t try to re-write anything, for which I was grateful, she just pointed out how I could get more out of my characters and scenes. I think my future writing projects will also be better because of this process. As for the network, it was great. Fast, efficient, and it put me in touch with the right people. I got responses from two editors within the day and was able to chose the one who fit my needs best”. -- Tara Gorvine “Mired in a thick plot, I sought Caroline’s assistance. Understanding what I wanted to accomplish, she skillfully guided me through a demanding revise. As a result of our partnership, I now have the novel I envisioned. Caroline has remarkable insight into character development and the intricacies of plotting. She simply knows story structure. Suggesting rather than insisting, available after the last page has left her hand, Caroline T. is a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend her services.”—Alex Austin "My writing was winning and finaling in many, if not most of the prestigious publishing industry contests (a partial list of my contest track record is available on my website www.tinaradcliffe.com) but I could not sell. I hired Caroline T. to show me how to take my novels to the next level. Thanks to her reccomendations on a particular manuscript, that story was then reviewed by a NY Times best-selling author who was so impressed she referred me to her agent. At that point I became agented and sold my first novel. There is no doubt in my mind that this was due to Caroline's guidance, which advanced my skills." Tina Radcliffe "I hired Caroline T. to edit one of my first manuscripts, and cannot overstate the value of the service she provided. What I appreciated most about Caroline was she did not tell me what I wanted to hear, but what I needed to hear to mature as a writer. Her comments and suggestions strengthened not only the manuscript she edited, but those I have written since. In addition, Caroline did not simply hand my manuscript back with her comments, but continued to answer questions and provide valuable input months after the edited manuscript was returned to me. I highly recommend Caroline T. for any editorial project." Kirsten Arnold "Caroline T. is an excellent editor whose professional evaluation and feedback not only improved the manuscript she edited, but also improved my writing and self-editing overall. She has a great talent for understanding the story and showing a writer how to bring out the best in any project. A first-class professional with industry knowledge. Highly recommended!" MaryLee Woods "Caroline is an exceptional editor. She is fast, wonderful to work with, and has an incredible talent for bringing out the best in a writer. She is adept at all sorts of writing. And like a great orchestra conductor, Caroline can help a writer see what needs more emphasis and where a character or plot needs to be revised." Jill Shure "For earlier versions of both of my novels (FOOD AND WORRY and SIX WORDS), I benefited from Caroline's critiquing and copy-editing. In addition, she was generous with advice and suggestions as I navigated my literary agent search. I wholeheartedly recommend her. Caroline helps writers to make book projects less scary, and most importantly, she has integrity, good intuition, and a sense of humor." Becky Wolsk "Caroline T. is a seasoned editor who takes the care and time to evaluate the work. After I incorporated her suggested changes to my work, she re-read it at no extra cost to me. (If I could've checked four boxes above, I'd have also checked "good value.") I consider Caroline's input and suggestions invaluable!" Ann Roth "Caroline is a professional editor whose evaulation is geared to turn a manuscript into a best-sellng novel. She's focused and easy to work with. If you want the best, contact Caroline Tolley" Joyce Brennan "Caroline gave me quick, professional, New-York level editing on a book I needed assessed to see if it was worthy of publication. Her feedback is invaluable and well worth the cost. While working in New York, she had a reputation at her publisher for being part of the reason so many writers became NYT bestsellers." Theresa Meyers "I hired Caroline on two projects to see if I was going in the right direction. Her comments that I was as well as her input on what I might do differently, have made a significant impact not only in my writing but in my confidence as a writer. Too often people think they hire a book editor simply to fix things. I hired Caroline because of her background in the industry and I wanted to make sure my books were ready to submit. Fortunately, she said that was the case. Money well spent." Donnell Bell "Caroline's editing skills were first-rate. She was very professional in her critique and her comments were very helpful." Alan Behr (Network Client) "A good editor is counselor, advocate, guide, parent, friend, and teacher. Caroline was my editor at Atria Books, a division of Pocket Books. With her determined guidance, I published three novels that were well-received, and of which I am still very proud. Writing isn’t done in a vacuum. Good writing is dependent upon the close relationship of an author with a professional editor. Caroline helped me to hone my writing skills - where I might have thought the story was being told well, she pointed out where it wasn’t. When I went off the rails, she set me back on track. When it was good, she was a cheerleader. Caroline held me to a high standard; and, in exchange, she shepherded my books through the publication process and out into the world. Any writer who is serious about his or her work would be lucky to have Caroline as an editor. She is professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated to working with writers to achieve their goals. I count myself incredibly blessed to have been one of Caroline’s authors." Susan Wilson, NY Times bestselling author of One Good Dog “Caroline T. and I worked together as an author/editor team for a dozen years.  She is, by far, the finest editorial partner I've ever had the good fortune to work with-- a partner in the truest sense.  Her commitment extends beyond the novels to the authors themselves.  Her instincts about how to make the book the best it can be are dead-on, and her willingness and abilities to achieve that end (without making the author feel that the book is no longer his/her own) are amazing.  She has experience in a broad range of genres, and she puts that experience to work whole-heartedly.  There is no one I would more strongly recommend to you if you want to make your book the best it can be, and if you want the best chances of becoming published or further published!” NY Times bestselling author, Andrea Kane Having Caroline as an editor was a pleasure, and I'm a better writer because of our work together. Caroline has the rare ability to get inside a writer's vision, always with an eye toward improving the book. She's straightforward, she listens and she loves books -- all pluses in an editor!"New York Times bestselling author Carla Neggers

Submission Cut and paste the questions and answers into an e-mail: EditMyBook@Gmail.com Alternates 2012@Book-Editing.com Help2012@Airmail.net Contact@Editing-Writing.com You may send your initial submission to all addresses to make sure it's received. 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). A sample is required to receive an estimate for editing services 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: Questions about price and turnaround times cannot be given over the phone or via chat. 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 (M-F, 9a-7p central). Expect longer response times if you submitted after U.S. business hours or on weekends. You may also send your submission to our alternate e-mail addresses if you do not receive a response within three hours M-F: Help2012 at Airmail.net editingnetwork at gmail.com contact at editing-writing.com You may also leave voice mail for the network coordinator: 469-789-3030. This number is for verification of e-mail submissions only. 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 editor or publishing consultant, not with the editing network as a whole or its coordinator.

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