Caroline M. – Editor

✿ ABOUT ME ✿

I'm Caroline. I'm an author and theatre artist living in Chicago. I'm an interdisciplinary writer who has provided editorial assessments and developmental edits to dozens of authors, memoirists, short story writers, playwrights, screenwriters, and poets. I love working with seasoned writers and first-timers just the same. My novels include the literary horror A PLAY ABOUT A CURSE (forthcoming October 2025) and THE ROOMMATE (Kindle Bestseller in 2022). My essays and short stories have been featured in LITHUB'S CRIMEREADS, OH READER, PANK, AMERICAN THEATRE MAGAZINE, MAKE, and others. I teach Creative Writing and English at Loyola University.

✿ MY REEDSY ✿

I've returned to Reedsy off and on throughout the years and have edited some all-star books and made some lifelong friends here. I love how this service facilitates a meeting of minds. See my reviews!

✿ WHAT I LOVE ✿

Character-driven stories (unlikeable narrators, come on in), literary fiction, complex female protagonists, and work with a genre that's hard to define. I'm riveted by blunt language, unusual synopses, and stories that make me laugh and cry at the same time. I also love handmade books, indie publishers, self-published writers, volunteer-run magazines both print and online, multimedia projects, and zines. If you are an odd duck, we'll probably get along great.

✿ MY APPROACH ✿

Elevate the writing to its highest self using ambitious, goal-oriented, positive affirmation and actionable critique. I like using what's already there and giving it that extra va va voom. Imagine arriving at an unfinished puzzle—the pieces are already there, but together we find how to make them work.

✿ MY RATES ✿

I know how it is and I'm willing to be flexible within reason. As a base, I use the model set by the Editorial Freelancers Association, but if you tell me your budget I can let you know what's possible.

✿ ON AI ✿

I'm anti-AI because I believe the value of life is to enjoy the process. I don't believe writing should be an insular experience and know a collaborative approach works because the proof is in the increased quality of the writing by my students and editorial clients. Happiness comes from a flow state and outsourcing the joy of the process in favor of productivity is like a depravation tank for the soul.

✿ SUMMARY ✿

I feel open to possibilities and excited to see what comes from reopening this year! Let me know what's on your mind and hope we can work together to find a situation that's good for both of us.