“She gets the big picture, but the tiny details do not escape her. She is truly a writer’s editor. Hiring her was an investment in myself.”
— Stacia Tolman
“Martha is one of the finest editors I have ever worked with. When she says she offers ‘supportive’ editing, she means it. Her developmental critiques have always started with the strengths of a manuscript, which is enormously affirming, and then moved into specific suggestions. She often writes, ‘As a reader, I noticed…’ or ‘As a reader, I wondered,’ which keeps me focused on the important elements of a story. She has helped me with short fiction and a novel, and in both cases, her suggestions matched to a T the tone and texture of the piece. I couldn’t have asked for a more thoughtful, perceptive, careful, wise, professional, creative, and well-read editor. I recommend Martha without reservation.” — Jim English
“Martha Carlson really read the text, deeply, and she brought that deep understanding to every interaction we had. Whether we were dealing with micro- or macro-level issues, Martha’s observations and insights were spot-on. In short, I recommend her highly.” — Liam Callanan, author of Paris by the Book, which won the 2019 Edna Ferber Prize. He’s also the 2017 winner of the Hunt Prize, and his first novel, The Cloud Atlas, was a finalist for an Edgar Award.
“Martha Carlson was the ideal developmental editor for my novel, Waking Slow. She read with attentiveness, skill, and insight, helping me to bring the project to a satisfactory completion after years I spent laboring over the material. Her approach was to discern and facilitate, rather than evaluate and impose. She was an expert at pinpointing the essential element holding the manuscript back, zeroing in on a blind spot while offering practical suggestions for addressing, and moving past, the issue. Whether determining an overall intention and direction or fine-tuning sentences, Martha is an enormous asset to any writer in all stages and aspects of the writing process.” — Ioanna Opidee, Waking Slow (PFP), 2018 Foreword Indies Finalist for Multicultural Books.
“On a recommendation from a trusted professional, I hired Martha Carlson to read an unwieldy fiction manuscript. I had gotten buried in it and needed perspective on the most basic level: Does this work? Should I stick with it? I got answers to that and so much more. Her generous and intuitive response gave me a clear direction out of the mess I had gotten into. Martha Carlson reads and edits with a writer’s imagination and a sharp pen. She gets the big picture, but the tiny details do not escape her. She is truly a writer’s editor. Hiring her was an investment in myself.” — Stacia Tolman, The Spaces Between Us (Henry Holt)
“Over several years, Martha Carlson has patiently looked at draft after draft of essays and stories, offering encouragement and insight. Most importantly, she has helped me identify the moments in my writing when I was backing away from the real story or descending into repetition. Like a good editor, Martha sees what is on the page, what works and what clanks. Like a few really great editors, Martha knows the broad intention guiding the work and offers the minimal gesture necessary to help me refine my own focus.” — Michael Lauchlan, Trumbull Ave. (Wayne State University Press)
“As the head of an indie publishing house, I am often asked to refer both established and aspiring authors alike to an editor. Martha Carlson, like several of her peers, possesses exceptional analytical and academic skills. However, what sets her apart from others in the field is her sustained passion and fervor … her steadfast belief in the author’s work and vision; her ability to remain loyal to the ‘soul’ of the piece … I am grateful and appreciate Martha’s skill and performance and recommend her to writers who hope for their prose to attain a greater level of artistry in a supportive environment.” — Peter Sarno, the owner of PFP Publishing, a teacher, and a fiction writer
“Despite several re-writes, I was really struggling with the structure and content of a personal essay that had me stumped and stalled. I knew the work needed an objective reader, so I engaged Martha’s editing services. She took the time to really engage with the work, and she asked all of the right questions to help me move the work forward toward that next phase. I found her professional and kind and insightful.” — Áine Greaney, Green Card & Other Essays (Wising Up Press)
Contact me and let’s talk about your writing project.