Rel Carroll – Editor

ABOUT REL CARROLL:

As small as 154 centimeters in length with natural-blonde hair, the Rel Carroll is primarily characterized by her love of marine conservation, the jazz age, and free expression in art. This peculiar creature is also known for her distinctive singing voice which can be heard anytime day or night; although, she is primarily nocturnal. In addition to American Sign Language, the Rel is fluent in ‘British’ with a working knowledge of Spanish and Lang Belta. She has a preferred diet of dark chocolate and hella-spicy vegetarian cuisine but with only one known in existence, soggy cereal and the color pink remain key threats to this rare species. The Rel is generally tame but not domesticated, so it is dangerous to keep the Rel in an enclosed area without a novel, knitted socks, and canine companion. Frequently migratory, her natural habitat includes enchanted forests, seaside cottages, crowded bookstores, or the middle of a dance floor. The Rel is mated for life with a similarly unique mammal, the Nat (otherwise known as Redbeard, the airship pirate.)

EXPERIENCE:

As a former writing student of award-winning, bestselling authors including Brandon Sanderson, Orson Scott Card, and Jeff Benedict, I firmly believe that learning is lifelong--which is why I read the latest books, regularly attend workshops with top industry professionals (Susan Chang, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Susan Pohlman, etc.), and update my resource materials monthly (in addition to the use of K-lytics.) I'm a ghostwriter, developmental editor, and founder of RomanSnail, an assisted self-publishing and entertainment company dedicated to giving artists fair representation and royalties. I have worked on a variety of genre-fiction novels, short stories, memoirs and personal histories, webcomics, fan fiction, business and content writing, play scripts, and more.

PREFERENCES:

My job as a developmental editor is to describe potential problems rather than prescript specific solutions. Meaning, you have the freedom to address manuscript problems in a way that best suits your story. My feedback will be candid, caring, and constructive but ultimately, you are the creator. I will not dictate the direction of your book. This is a collaboration, and every change is your choice.

At the same time, my job is not to make assurances. I’m here to challenge you to be the best writer you can be! (To better facilitate work on high-concept concerns, please do not send me a first draft.)

I DO edit:

· Genre Fiction—fantasy, science fiction, romance, etc.

· Non-Fiction—memoir, biography

· Middle-grade, YA, and adult

· I particularly enjoy epic heroines, Ecofiction, and genre-mixing (i.e., horror + romance or adventure + historical fiction).

I DO NOT edit:

· First drafts

· Children’s books

· Erotica

· Stories with dead dogs

ADDITIONAL AREAS OF EXPERTISE:

Theatre and vocal performance

Dance training and instruction--Ballet, Tap, Jazz, ballroom and Latin styles, Lindy, Balboa, Vernacular Blues, and Charleston (1920's-1940's)

American Sign Language and Deaf culture

NAUI scuba dive certification and marine conservation

Teaching, education, and youth counseling

INCLUDED SERVICES:

· Free 1,000-word sample edit to demonstrate my critique style and familiarize myself with the needs of your manuscript. (Includes an estimate of total cost and completion date.)

· Manuscript chapter summaries and an official PDF report summary of findings and recommendations

· K-Lytics genre report for marketability ($197 value)

· ½-hour video chat or email conversation for manuscript review and query or self-publishing consultation

· Optional in-line manuscript edit with “reader reactions” (full proofreading not included)

TESTIMONIALS:

"Rel provided insightful editorial feedback on my latest book, Harbor for the Nightingale. This novel is a complex alternate history, but her touch made it shine. Her running commentary was priceless. I don't know what I would've done without her. And you can bet I will be asking her to read my next book!"

- Kathleen Baldwin, award-winning bestselling author of the Stranje House series.

"The narrative flows so well together. Having seen both sides (what I said and what Rel has written), I am so impressed with her writing, and I have so much respect for her as a person."

- Jitu Patel, author of What We Give: A Memoir (International Adviser, Emeritus Professional Member of the ASSP since 1982)

"She gives thoughtful and personal feedback that has really helped me as a writer. I seriously can't recommend her enough. Specifically, she gave me feedback on a novel I wrote. She gave critique in a way that helped me see the problems without her inserting herself into my work. Instead, she guided me to solutions that felt like my own voice and personality still. This woman knows what she's talking about!"

-Kiri Case, author/screenwriter

"Working with Arielle is always a good experience. She's got the hard skills of being a punctual, sharp-eyed editor and 'go the distance' writer, but also the much needed and appreciated soft skills of knowing how to ask questions that get you thinking about how your work can be better, and of course putting in just-right compliments and encouragements that can keep you going during the often-hard slog that is editing. Having someone so professional and also pleasant to work with is a treat, and my projects are always better off when she's involved."

- Whitney Gibbons, author and artist

"She has been a life saver in helping me with the writing portion of my two webcomics. Getting a fresh perspective on the story has really helped cut out unnecessary panels, and allowed me to be able to tell more story, with less 'filler'."

- Hannah Brimhall, artist