Caryn Rivadeneira

Caryn Rivadeneira – Editor

An award-winning editor helping writers craft stories of faith (and doubt!) that move readers toward hope and action.

Overview

After nearly thirty years in the publishing industry as both an editor and a writer, I'm in the perfect position to approach projects with the mind of a developmental editor and the heart of an author. I know how vulnerable it feels to share your work with others—but I also know how to structure and sharpen your book to make it the best it can be. As I edit your work, I never edit simply for edits’ sake. I encourage as much as I point to ways to improve the work. As author and editor, we share the same goal: to create a project that audiences want to gobble up!


Though I have written and edited for both adults (fiction and non-) and children (Picture Books, Chapter Books, and Middle Grade) and am able to offer feedback and guidance in any number of genres, my editorial "sweet spot" is helping authors craft books that inspire or spur action through story. Much of my professional life has been in the faith-based realm so I'm also able to speak into what various religious publishers are looking for--and what might trip them up.


Speaking of my professional roles: I spent the first fifteen years of my career as a magazine and website editor before moving into freelance editing and writing roles. In that time, I've edited books, websites, and newsletters for select clients. When not editing, I also continue to write in a variety of capacities.


A proud member of Authors Against Book Bans; INK: A Creative Collective; and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, I hold a BA in English from Calvin University and an MA in Worship from Northern Seminary. I live in the near-west suburbs of Chicago with my husband, three kids, and beloved rescue pit bulls.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Christian Non-Fiction Inspirational
Fiction
Christian Fiction Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Middle Grade Picture Books
Languages
English (US)
Awards
  • Independent Press Award
  • Moonbeam Award
  • Evangelical Press Association Award

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2002 — Present
For over twenty years, I've provided select clients with expert editorial guidance ranging from idea development to editorial guidance to full collaborative writing.

Christianity Today

Aug, 1998 — Mar, 2009 (over 10 years)
During my tenure at Christianity Today, I edited several of the company's national magazines and websites developed products in the Resources Department.

Portfolio

The First Mrs. Harper, An American Family Saga: Follow This Re-Telling Book Series with Danny Harper As a Modern-day Henry the 8th and His Messy Love Life, Set in Philadelphia 2004

Hancock, Ella

Developmental Editing
God, Pandas, and a Stethoscope

Schuster, Paul

Developmental Editing
The Recovering Materialist: From a Nordic Hardcore Punk to a Hindu Monk in California

Mäkinen, Tuomas

Copy Editing
Light on the Mount: God's Love to Honduras

Frey, Faith

Independently published

Developmental Editing
The Inn on Jericho Road: A retelling of the Good Samaritan story

Escott, Stan

Palmetto Publishing

Tink's BUGTastic Surprise

Boyd, Maria

Remarkably Made Publishing

Life is Going to Happen

Carnes, Lorraine

Developmental Editing
Fire and Song: God’s love song. Your love story.

Lehenbauer, Carl

Morgan James Faith

Developmental Editing
Prayer Bear: Let's Pray

Frazier, Cristy

Scarlet Rose Publishing

Developmental Editing
Bible Reader: An Irreverent But Honest Tale

Kreitzer, Anton

Independently published

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Why So Mad?: controlling anger in a world that thrives on it

DOUGHERTY, SAMUEL E

Independently published

Developmental Editing
Right Where They Belong: Sutton Series Book 1

DeYoe, Chantal

Living Out Our Christian Faith Publishing LLC

Developmental Editing
Encouraged & Ignited: Setting the Power of Prayer Ablaze in Your Life

Frazier, Cristy

Scarlet Rose Publishing

Developmental Editing
Human Eyes

Molin, Emelie Ingrid Laila

Developmental Editing
Ready, Set, Architect!: How to get there, how to be successful, and how to have a guilt-free transition to something else

Decker, Jane Lanahan

Developmental Editing
Scars in the Sunlight: Reflections After a Disorienting Diagnosis

Vaughn, Shelly

Developmental Editing
Penny Helps Portia Face Her Fears (Helper Hounds)

Rivadeneira, Caryn

Sparky Helps Mary Make Friends (Helper Hounds)

Rivadeneira, Caryn

Edward and Annie: A Penguin Adventure

Rivadeneira, Caryn

Buster's Trip to Victory Lane (Buster the Race Car)

Earnhardt Jr., Dale

Echoes of Eden: Listening to Longings that Lead us Home

Cochrane Smith, Miriam

Editorial Assessment
Sex & Society: God's Design, Tradition, & the Pursuit of Happiness

Kuiper, J Michael

Developmental Editing
Meant to Live: Living in Light of the Good News

Hicks, Nancy

Developmental Editing
Lime Green

Roese, Dr. Jackie

Developmental Editing
The Gospel: A Redemption and Restoration Story

O'Dowd, Michael

Developmental Editing
Heartaches to Blessings: Memoir of a World Food Championship Finalist (Recipes for Daily Bread Book 1)

Roark, Diane

Developmental Editing
Desert Fountainhead: A Tale about the Borderlands

Friedl, Marek

Developmental Editing

Caryn has 69 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Demetria W.

Demetria W.

Aug, 2023

Pinned
Caryn is a Godsend! I had the opportunity to work with her twice and I cannot say enough about how wonderful the experience was. She is extremely professional and wonderfully encouraging. She took the time to understand my vision and support me in creating what I had in mind. I look forward to wo...
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James C.

James C.

Jul, 2023

Pinned
I can't speak highly enough of Caryn. She was incredibly thorough, responsive, and, most of all, caring. She has a unique ability to review and edit a manuscript thoroughly, but she also encouraged and highlighted the areas she thought were well done and stood out. Instead of feeling like I had a...
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Caryn R.
It was such a pleasure working with you on this project! Caryn
Tuomas M.

Tuomas M.

Mar, 2023

Pinned
Really, I would give Caryn six stars if I could. This collaboration completely exceeded my expectations. Caryn is extremely personable, encouraging, and nice, but she's also an experienced professional who is not afraid to give her honest opinion. She's very punctual and responsive, and in fact f...
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Jered A.

Jered A.

Mar, 2025

Caryn does an excellent job with every manuscript I've given her. Her critiques are spot on and her advice is invaluable. You can count on Caryn if you're looking for a top notch editor.
sheldrick W.

sheldrick W.

Mar, 2025

Caryn's critique was thorough, insightful and encouraging. Her observations of key considerations and reflections from the perspective of an industry professional is so appreciated. I will definitely implement many of her suggestions.

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Most recent contributions

I don't respond well to criticism. How can I find out if an editor's communication style will be right for me?

If you don't respond well to criticism, buckle up! The publishing life might not be the best fit for you as the criticism never ends (and I say this as someone who's been writing and editing professionally for thirty years! *sigh*). That said, if you are worried about being critiqued (and we all...
Read more

Should children's manuscripts be formatted differently to adult books?

If they are chapter books (in any form, for any age), they can be formatted similarly to adult books. For picture books, which obviously have a completely different architecture, it's important to break the text into spreads (PBs typically have 13 spreads--though this can differ). Doing this does...
Read more

Are there drawbacks to creating detailed dossiers on characters before the drafting stage?

Absolutely! The main drawback is that creating dossiers can get in the way of writing the book. It's easy to get lost in the fun of research and imagining backstories and details (which may or may not matter). And it's even easier to feel like we're being productive while crafting character sketc...
Read more

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