Carol Gaskin

Carol Gaskin – Editor

I specialize in mystery and historical fiction; children's/YA; nonfiction book proposals. I offer extensive critiques and revision guidance.

Overview

I offer complete book editing services for fiction, nonfiction, and children’s/YA: general assessments and developmental editing for early-stage manuscripts; detailed, constructive critiques; and final line editing. I work with writers at all levels, from beginners to much-published veterans. For newer writers, my critiques serve as a mini-writing tutorial that is customized to your manuscript, but that you should also find helpful to your future projects. For all clients, I aim to take the fear out of the revision process by offering clear guidance on how to proceed, with a focus on preparing your book for the marketplace. I also help authors develop query letters and book proposals that consistently lead to agent requests.

As the author of 15 books and countless articles, I know how much I have benefited from the many editors I have worked with; and I hope my clients learn to be better writers by working with me. I particularly love editing mysteries and thrillers, historical novels, children's/YA projects, and literary fiction; and nonfiction that teaches me something. But I work with manuscripts of all types. For me, every new project opens up a new world—one I always feel excited and honored to visit.
Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Health & Wellbeing Psychology Religion & Spirituality
Fiction
Fantasy Historical Fiction Mystery & Crime Young Adult
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • 1987 Best Children's Book List, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Science Books & Films. Author of highest-rated title of the year on physics for kids.

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2000 — Present

Owner, full time editorial service, 2000-present
Freelance manuscript editor/ghostwriter/coach 1992-present
Producer/content director/head writer, CD-ROMs, HyperQuest, 1995-1996
Contributing editor, various periodicals, Boardroom Reports, 1982-1998
Producer/writer, women's interest television talk show, 1993
Producer/writer/owner, Carol G. Consortium (advertising agency) Gold Addy, 2 Silvers, 1988-1990
Author, 15 books, fiction and nonfiction, mostly children's/YA, one adult novel; 1985-1990
Picture editor, two Time-Life series and other publications; various positions in publishing and bookselling since teens, from stocking parents' bookstore to fact-checking to writing to manuscript editing.

My experience spans many aspects of the publishing field: published author (Bantam, Berkley/Ace, Scholastic, Avon, other), book editor, series developer, picture editor (Time-Life, Troll Associates), website producer (Whole Foods, other), ghostwriter, bookseller, ad agency owner, workshop teacher/speaker, and “literary midwife.” In the 20+ years I have been editing full time, I have worked with over 300 authors.

Portfolio

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
In this no-nonsense guide for men, psychologist Jonas Horwitz presents straightforward, jargon-free strategies to help you identify and overcome depression, once and for all. The damned thing ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
As Boston’s demographics shift, a subtle cultural revolution swirls ahead, opening doors of perception. Jazmin, a Latina teen, explores immortality on a basketball court in Jamaica Plain. Tany... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Life in the small mountainous community of La Paz, Guatemala is shaken by a gruesome discovery. The remains of a visiting U.S. doctoral student are found on one of the community's holiest shri... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Backfill

Cynthia Soule Levesque

"Much more than a superb conspiracy thriller, Backfill is an absolute must-read for any environmentally conscious reader." BestThrillers.comEnvironmental manager Mary Ann Hodges takes on a job... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
For any young woman, it can be hard to follow the rules . . . especially when you’re falling in love.But for Rachel, Hindy, and Leah, it’s especially hard. Because as Orthodox Jews, they live ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Can a mouse virus cause breast cancer in women? Answering that question has become Dr. Kathleen Ruddy's life’s work. The End of Breast Cancer is the landmark book that gives an extraordinary g... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
In 2008, financial planner James Nussbaumer was convicted of felony theft. At age fifty, he found himself incarcerated and facing a ten year prison term. On his first night in prison, he was s... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Chez Betty

Kenneth Farmer

2018 Book Excellence Award Finalist in the Suspense categoryAlan Newberg, a staid title-company lawyer in the middle of a divorce, escapes to the French Riviera in an effort to reinvent himsel... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Teaching Stories and Activities for Youth is a storybook, but not completely. It is anactivity book, but not entirely. Rather, it is a combo: a combination of stories andactivities; of the ins... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Hurricane Sandy was a fierce demonstration of the ecological vulnerability of New York, a city of islands. Yet the storm also revealed the resilience of a metropolis that has started during th... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Winner of the 2014 James River Writers Best Indie Novel ContestWinner of the 2015 Feathered Quill Book Awards for Best Historical Fiction and Best Debut AuthorA young woman's gift could weave ... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Center of The Storm

Katherine Harris

The battle for the White House following the election of November 7, 2000, was arguably one of the biggest controversies in U.S. history. And one woman stood at the center of the storm-Katheri... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Foreword by Nikki GiovanniShe survived the horrific Middle Passage as a child and was purchased as a slave in 1761. By the time she turned twenty Phillis Wheatley became the most famous person... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
"Those who have only been in Valley Forge and Middlebrook during the last two winters, but have not tasted the cruelties of this one, know not what it is to suffer." Major General Johann de Ka... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
“Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in America, and for the ‘lucky’ stroke victims who don’t die, about half will spend the rest of their lives trying to recover.” Roughly 700,000 Am... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
STORYTELLER

Edward Myers

“Once upon a time,” begins the narrator of this richly imagined novel. But what follows is no ordinary fantasy full of dragons, elves, and wicked stepmothers. Yes, the tale involves a boy name... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Over 50 million Americans have a mental illness, but as many as 20 million don't have their illness detected. And many others get substandard treatment. Family members play a crucial role in r... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Made with Reedsy
My Irish Dog

Solvie, Douglas

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Vestal Virgin: Chosen for Rome

Spada Basto, Katherine

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Lost Stories of the Great War brings to life little know stories from one hundred years ago. Why did African American National Guardsmen fight with the French? What technologies and tactics we... read more
Developmental Editing Editorial Assessment
The Other La Bohème is literary fiction that depicts the lives and loves of four friends who pursue opera singers' careers in present-day New York City. Jennifer (soprano), Stephanie (mezzo-so... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
The Retreat

Carol Kortsch

Carol Kortsch weaves the complex story of the weekend retreat journey of Mei, Sam, Raquel, and a cast of characters from diverse backgrounds who join together with the purpose to reconnect who... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Who Killed the High Priestess Thermafi? Palace intrigue...sibling rivalries...mysticism...murder. Hidden From the Face of Humans is a sweeping epic that brings to vivid life the last native Eg... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
In Broadway, Schrafft’s and Seeded Rye—Growing Up Slightly Jewish on the Upper West Side, Lyla Blake Ward, author of How to Succeed at Aging Without Really Dying, tells it like it was growing ... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
South of Even

Russell Hatler

In the world of casino gaming, larcenous souls tip the scales of fortune in their favor. Casinos don't stop players from cashing in if the win is honest. But if the rules in the game are bent,... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Demons in the CrawlspaceFrank Salvato is a middle aged, divorced, homicide cop who is forced to join the world of tortured souls when his little boy is murdered. Battles with his own inner dem... read more
Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment

Carol has 21 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Michael P.

Michael P.

May, 2022

Pinned
Carol spent three weeks on my manuscript. She did a read-through leading to a 34-page critique and edited the first 100 pages of my novel manuscript. The work was done within the specified timeframe, and she answered all of my questions, including tips on using the editorial software she employed. Carol provided many useful suggestions for improving my manuscript and the query letter and synop...
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Carol G.
Thanks, Mike. I enjoyed working with you and am gratified you found my input useful. I will be looking for your series on the bookstore shelves!
Mark B.

Mark B.

Apr, 2022

Pinned
Very pleased with Carol's work and highly recommend her. Great insight into plot and character development. Her editing produced improved flow of sentences, and wonderful verb and adjective alternatives. She met deadlines and answered follow-up questions. I will use her services again and have no reservation suggesting her for your manuscript.
Carol G.
Thank you, Mark. Your project was a delight! I'll look forward to the next one.
Douglas S.

Douglas S.

Feb, 2020

Pinned
I considered many potential developmental editors initially, but something told me Carol was the right one. I was in the process of almost choosing someone else, but my intuition told me to go back to Carol, even though I would have to wait for two months for an edit. She did not disappoint. I still don't know whether my book will sell or not, but Carol took it from a so-so place to a much hig...
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Carol G.
Thanks, Doug! It was a pleasure working with you, and I look forward to seeing your book out there. Carol
Cathy T.

Cathy T.

Jun, 2024

Carol did a terrific job! Her evaluation of my manuscript was very thorough and well thought-out. I could tell she knew my book almost as well as I did by the time she finished with it. Her comments and suggestions were spot-on, helping me tighten-up and streamline my work. Her attention to detail was amazing as well---nothing gets by her. She was incredibly easy to work with---firmly hones...
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Carol G.
Thank you, Cathy. I am sure your book will be a success! CG
Michael G.

Michael G.

Apr, 2024

Can't overstate how helpful Carol has been in formatting, copy-editing and providing helpful advice on how to improve my manuscript. Without a doubt, she went over and beyond my expectations. I won't hesitate asking for her help on any future projects I have.
Carol G.
Thank you, Michael! You did a great job on your revisions. Please let me know how you decide to proceed with your manuscript -- and I would be happy to work with you again! Very best, Carol

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