Carrie Jones - Editor
I'm Carrie Jones, an internationally & New York Times bestselling author, editor, and human. I'd love to help you make your best book!
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Overview
I specialize in writing for children and young adults. I have been an award-winning newspaper editor, columnist, arts and features writer. I gave all that up to attend Vermont College of Fine Arts where I received an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Halfway through the program, I landed my first book contract. That book won the IPPY and numerous other awards. Since then I have been titled a Distinguished Alumna of Vermont College, made New York Times and international bestsellers lists and had books published in dozens of countries.
I have taught, edited, and presented in a whole multitude of venues. I am the co-editor of the anthology, Dear Bully, and have published contemporary, fantasy, science fiction and nonfiction with Bloomsbury, Tor, Lerner, Harper Collins and Flux. My published books range from picture books, middle grade, YA, to adult novels, fiction and non-fiction.
As a writing coach, editor, and internationally-bestselling author, I love helping authors craft the best stories that they can, building them word by word and paragraph by paragraph.
WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT CARRIE:
WRITING COACH OF YOUR DREAMS
Carrie is the writing coach I always dreamed of having. She has such a great balance in her feedback between singing your praises at what is working and giving you honest criticism at what still needs development. Carrie goes above and beyond in her editorial letters, giving very clear and detailed feedback, and her eagerness to answer any questions makes the whole experience of critique—which can be a very vulnerable experience—make you feel like you’re with a trusted friend that you’ve known for years (even though you just met). - Jason Gallagher, author of WHOBERT, WHOEVER. OWL DETECTIVE.
STELLAR WRITING COACH
Carrie is not only whip-smart, savvy, and insightful, she is kind, generous, and real. A stellar writing coach and human being, she gives me priceless creative and professional guidance, but most of all she gives me hope. Her joyful, honest approach to writing is a bright and guiding light. - Nancy Stone
Gentle Encouragement and an Occasional Kick in the Pants
One of the things I enjoyed the most about working with Carrie is that she helped me write the book I wanted to write, not the book she would have preferred I write, or the book she would written in my place. She was vested in helping me express my vision as a writer and as a human being.
One special thing about Carrie as a writing coach and teacher is her understanding of writing psychology. She’s well familiar with the pits of uncertainty and the swamps of despondency a writer can step into, and seems to know just the right thing to say to get the struggling person going again, from gentle encouragement to straight-ahead course correction to even the occasional kick in the pants. - Cathy Carr
Languages
English (AUS)
English (CAN)
English (UK)
English (US)
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction
Fiction
Coming of Age
Fantasy
Horror
Middle Grade
Paranormal Romance
Picture Books
Young Adult Fantasy
Certifications
- MFA
Awards
- IPPY, CYBILS, LAMBDA, MAINE BOOK AWARD
- Vermont College Distinguished Alum
Work experience
Teacher and Writing Coach
The Writing Barn
January, 2017
–
Present
(almost 6 years)
I teach the six-month long Write! Submit! Support! class for the Writing Barn in Austin, focusing on helping authors build their literary life, making connections and support, and also helping them develop their craft.
Public Image Coordinator
Rotary International
July, 2016
–
Present
(over 6 years)
Marketing and public image trainer for Canada and northern parts of the United States for a 1.2 million-member service organization.
President
Self-employed
January, 2007
–
Present
(almost 16 years)
NYT and internationally bestselling author, editor, writing coach and award-winning photographer.
Published in more than 20 countries. Edited more than 500 novels.
Teacher at the Writing Barn's Write! Submit! Support! program focusing on nurturing writers work and helping them to land agents and publishers.
Editor of Dear Bully, an anthology of 70 children's book authors including R.L. Stine, A.S. King, Z Brewer and more.
Part of the Class of 2k7, a marketing writing collective including Jay Asher, Cassandra Claire and Melissa Marr.
Newspaper Editor and Columnist
Courier Publications
February, 2001
–
August, 2007
(over 6 years)
Award-winning newspaper editor, photographer, columnist and reporter.
Received Maine Press Awards for best column writing, best editorials, sports features, action photos and more.
Poetry Editor
Flying Course Review
January, 1998
–
January, 2002
(about 4 years)
Poetry editor for literary journal.
Portfolio (16 selected works)
Need
Carrie Jones
In this first book in a YA fantasy series from New York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones, Zara discovers that magic is stirring in her sleepy Maine town . . . and herself.Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect lipsticks. Little wonder, since she's had a pretty rough life. Her father left when she was a baby, and her stepfather just died. Her mother's pretty much che... read more
In the Woods
Carrie Jones, Steven E. Wedel
New York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones teams up with acclaimed cowriter Steven Wedel in the supernatural mystery, In the Woods…It should have been just another quiet night on the farm when Logan witnessed the attack, but it wasn’t.Something is in the woods. Something unexplainable. Something deadly.Hundreds of miles away, Chrystal’s plans for summer in Manhattan are abruptly upended wh... read more
Captivate (Need Book 2)
Carrie Jones
In this sequel to Carrie Jones' New York Times bestselling Need, Zara discovers the fight to save her hometown from a brewing war isn't quite over . . .Zara and her friends knew they hadn't solved the pixie problem for good. Far from it. The king's needs grow deeper every day he's stuck in captivity, while his control over his people gets weaker. It's made him vulnerable. And now there's a new... read more
Endure (Need Book 4)
Carrie Jones
In the fourth and fianl book in a series that began with the New York Times bestselling Need, Zara and Nick must save the town of Bedford from evil forces before it's too late.Rescuing Nick should have made all of Zara's problems disappear. Bedford's greatest warrior is back, not to mention Zara's true soul mate. But it seems it isn't enough. Nick isn't enough. Bedford is being ravaged by evil... read more
Entice (Need Book 3)
Carrie Jones
In the third book in a series that began with the New York Times bestselling Need and Captivate, Zara must find her way to the underworld if she wants to save the boy she loves.Zara and Nick are soulmates, meant to be together forever. But that's not quite how things have worked out. For starters, well, Nick is dead. Supposedly, he's been taken to a mythic place for warriors known as Valhalla,... read more
Escape from the Badlands (Time Stoppers Book 3)
Carrie Jones
"Will entice younger fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson." --School Library Journal on Time StoppersNew York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones's sweeping middle-grade fantasy trilogy comes to an epic conclusion as Time Stopper Annie and her friends venture into the Badlands . . .Time Stopper Annie's newfound home, the enchanted town Aurora, is in danger. The vicious Raiff will stop at n... read more
Quest for the Golden Arrow (Time Stoppers Book 2)
Carrie Jones
"A wild and fresh take on fantasy . . . I freaking loved it!" --Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanted series, on Time StoppersReturn to the magical town of Aurora in this exhilarating second book in the Time Stoppers series--perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and The Five Kingdoms.Annie is no longer a Nobody--she's a Time Stopper, one of the last humans who can control ... read more
Flying: A Novel (Flying Series Book 1)
Carrie Jones
New York Times bestselling author Carrie Jones introduces sassy alien-hunting cheerleader Mana in Flying, the launch of a sparkling new YA Science Fiction series.People have always treated seventeen-year-old Mana as someone in need of protection. She's used to being coddled, being an only child, but it's hard to imagine anything could ever happen in her small-town, normal life. As her mother's... read more
Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories
Dawn Metcalf
Don't miss this excellent catalyst for one-on-one and classroom discussionToday's top authors for teens and young people come together to share their stories about bullying—as bystanders, as victims, and as the bullies themselves—in this moving and deeply personal collection.Lauren Oliver, R. L. Stine, Ellen Hopkins, Carolyn Mackler, Kiersten White, Mo Willems, Jon Scieszka, Lauren Kate, and m... read more
Time Stoppers
Carrie Jones
"A wild and fresh take on fantasy . . . I freaking loved it!" --Lisa McMann, New York Times bestselling author of The Unwanted seriesDiscover the magical town of Aurora in this exhilarating first book in the Time Stoppers series--perfect for fans of Percy Jackson and The Five Kingdoms.Annie Nobody thought she was, well, nobody, living in a nowhere town where nothing goes her way. Day 1 at her ... read more
The Spy Who Played Baseball
Carrie Jones
Moe Berg is not a typical baseball player. He's Jewish―very unusual for the major leagues in the 1930s―has a law degree, speaks several languages, and loves traveling the world. He also happens to be a spy for the U.S. government. When World War II begins, Moe trades his baseball career for a life of danger and secrecy. Using his unusual range of skills, he sneaks into enemy territory to gathe... read more
After Obsession
Carrie Jones
Aimee's deceased mother struggled with mental illness & hallucinations, & Aimee thinks it could be hereditary. Alan is Aimee's best friend Courtney's cousin. He is in touch with a kind of spiritual mysticism from his Native American heritage. In a desperate plea to find her father, Courtney invites a demonic presence into her life.
Tips on Having a Gay (Ex) Boyfriend
Carrie Jones
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NEED AND CAPTIVATE Winner of the 2008 Maine Literary Award! Dylan is Belle's true love-maybe even her soulmate. Until one day when Dylan drops the ultimate bomb: he's gay. Where, Belle wonders, does that leave her? And how will the rest of their small town deal with an openly gay Homecoming King? This beautifully written debut explores what happens... read more
Girl, Hero
Carrie Jones
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NEED AND CAPTIVATE After landing a lead role in the high school musical, freshman Liliana Faltin is hoping for some stability and happiness in her life. But her mom's live-in boyfriend has a thing for booze, touching, and telling dark family secrets. And the other people in her world aren't exactly role-model material, either. Her unreliable father... read more
Enhanced (Flying Series)
Carrie Jones
Carrie Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Flying, presents another science fiction adventure of cheerleader-turned-alien-hunter Mana in Enhanced.Seventeen-year-old Mana has found and rescued her mother, but her work isn’t done yet. Her mother may be out of alien hands, but she’s in a coma, unable to tell anyone what she knows. Mana is ready to take action. The only problem? Nobody... read more
Love (and Other Uses for Duct Tape)
Carrie Jones
FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF NEED AND CAPTIVATE People keep changing who they are & defining themselves by their own choices, and that's cool most of the time, but not all the time. No, it's not cool all the time at all. Belle is closing in on her last few months of high school and things are much better than they were before. Well, almost. Belle's not too sure about all the s... read more
Carrie has 143 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
Carrie's insights has been extremely valuable. Her feedback focused on all the things I was uncertain about and was delivered in clear and concise manner.
Her wealth of knowledge allows her to provide help for a range of authors. Whether you're just starting out or been telling stories for over two decades. On top of that she's highly supportive and encouraging with her feedback.
I might not ...
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Michael Lang, November 2022
I would gladly and whole-heartedly recommend Carrie to anybody requiring a down-to-earth, direct, no holds bared book editor. To me, that's worth gold! This editor will tell it like it is and in a way that isn't condescending but actually quite helpful. I appreciate the honesty and integrity shown by Carrie.
Carrie is very professional and meticulous while also being very personable and easy ...
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Bryan Nielsen, November 2022
Carrie was amazing. She went above and beyond what was required for my editing request and was always so kind and helpful. She made the perfect suggestions for my story, whilst also allowing me to bounce ideas off her, and respecting my writing. Would recommend anytime!!
Molly Chadwick, November 2022
Reply from Carrie Jones
I'll always return to Carrie Jones for feedback! It has been a pleasure to learn from her. She genuinely cares about your writing and success. I’m convinced there isn’t anyone better on this website.
Reesa Guerra, October 2022
Reply from Carrie Jones
Working with Carrie was a transformative experience. She introduced concepts I didn't know, gently corrected techniques that were wrong, and walked me through the craft and theory of it all with an approach that I could understand. Teacher and champion, coach and fan. Self-taught, I considered myself a forever instinct writer. Then Carrie gave me not just a peek behind the curtain of an MFA edu...
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M.S.P. Williams, October 2022
Reply from Carrie Jones
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