Carol Trow

Carol Trow – Editor

I don't just help you get the grammar right - for me, editing is a holistic task, from the content to the blurb; I'm with you all the way!

Overview

I have been editing for just over ten years now and have around 500 books to my credit! Although I have listed some of the topics I have already edited, I always like to meet new subjects - finance and business is a recent addition and I have to say I absolutely love it! What I enjoy more than anything is editing a book in which the writer is really invested, from memoirs (see A Fisherman in the Saddle below) to very erudite books on a niche subject (Peppercorn, his Life and Locomotives for instance).

I don't just edit non-fiction; my fiction editing has been for Severn House (now part of Canongate) and Blkdog Publishing mainly as well as authors awaiting placement and I specialise in spotting 'plot holes' and other issues which will make a reader stop, blink and give a bad review. Fiction editing is a very different thing from non-fiction but the attention to detail I bring to books on monetary systems, trains or crime is just as useful when spotting whether the victim is wearing the same clothes when found horribly murdered in an alley as they were when they left the house. These things matter and in the heat of writing can often get missed even by the most careful author. I am here to put that right.

I have been described as caring, meticulous, 'hawk-eyed' and I love all of those descriptions, but really, I like to think that my main skill is that I can help a writer fall back in love with their work if they have got a bit stale or if they have stalled with a previous editor who didn't quite 'get' them.

To raise the thorny subject of money, once I have given a quote, that is all you pay - I never add a penny, even if the project takes longer. So there is no need to worry about escalating bills. And also, when I join a project, I am there for the long haul, however long that might be!

Review from Arnie Witkin:
Carol edited my book 'Not a Great Thing in Life' . It was like having your hair done at Vidal Sassoon rather than the local hairdresser in Clapham Common (not that I have anything against Clapham Common). It was like the difference between caviar and cod (not that I have anything against cod). I went from uncertainty to confidence that I really had an outstanding product. I felt in safe hands - a comforting feeling. Carol is thoroughly reliable, responsive and replied to my toing and froing on the same day. She was patient but firm where required. I was delighted with my experience.
Services
Fiction
Dystopian Mystery & Crime
Non-Fiction
History Transportation True Crime
Languages
English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2013 — Present

I have been editing since 2013 and have worked on over 500 books in that time for private clients, Pen and Sword (across the genres of history, crime, well-being, nature, travel and cooking), Severn House (now part of Canongate) and Blkdog Publishing.

Carol has 40 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Peter C.

Peter C.

Apr, 2024

Pinned
Carol is highly proficient and quick. It surprised me that a project I gave several months for would be returned in just a few weeks and in stunning quality. There was little Carol did not catch. And although the job was proofreading she helped with ideas for the story and structure of the work. She raised valuable concerns for the consistency of the plot and helped me get out of the common vie...
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Carol T.
It was certainly a total pleasure working on this project and I am so glad that Peter enjoyed the process.
Elizabeth D.

Elizabeth D.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
Carol Trow is an experienced, mature, knowledgeable and caring editor clearly dedicated to the writers who seek her help. By loving my work, she’s helped me to see it with fresh eyes and a new enthusiasm. I have felt her attentive support at every step. A productive and enjoyable experience. I recommend Carol unreservedly (so long as she still has room for me with my next project)!
Carol T.
I will always have room for working with Elizabeth! Feeling her enthusiasm for her project grow was amazing and a total pleasure.
Tom D.

Tom D.

Oct, 2023

Pinned
Carol was absolutely the right person to do the editing for my manuscript. As a new writer, I had no idea what the process entailed, but I had heard many horror stories about 'those evil editors' that would make me scrap my novel and want to start all over again. Carol did none of those things and was, in fact, very positive, acting more like a coach than anything else. She had several suggesti...
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Jack B.

Jack B.

Nov, 2024

Super fast and great service - I had no problems with the work Carol did and she was professional at all times - will use again!
Patrick S.

Patrick S.

Nov, 2024

It was a pleasure to work with Carol. As a "newbie" she was patient, very informative and professional throughout our collaboration. I would highly recommend Carol and look forward to working with her on my next project. Thank you Carol. Patrick G Stewart.

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