510-232-3098

Robin Mitchell, PhD

Doctoral dissertation:  Les Ondes Noires de Saint Domingue:  The impact of black women on gender and racial boundaries in 18th and 19th century France

You make me so much smarter than I am!! 

David comments: An academic version, Vénus Noire: Black Women and Colonial Fantasies in Nineteenth Century France, is being published by University of Georgia Press. 

Melody Sullivan
Writer, director of public relations, Holotropic Breathwork facilitator, author of Caterpillar Dreams

I’ve worked with fine content editors, copy editors and various coaches. It is an exquisite joy to have all these skills together. Whatever was needed to move my projects forward, David could help.

Rev. Ron Williams, PhD

Pastor of Mt. Zion Fellowship, Cleveland area, with congregation of 3000.

Ron has worked with me on a dramatic and passionate coming of age memoir.

Stephan Martin, PhD

Asst. Professor of Astronomy, author of Cosmic Conversations: Dialogues on the Nature of the Universe and the Search for Reality.   www.cosmicconversations.org

David has a gift for quickly grasping the essence of a piece, then skillfully coaching the writer to express it fully. His clear and direct approach to editing brought out nuances and veins of gold in my writing that would have otherwise lain dormant and unexpressed.  David’s compassionate and genuine approach has helped my writing reach its highest potential so far.

Glenn Hartelius, PhD

Adjunct Faculty, Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, Palo Alto, Ca

David is able to feel into others, and into their words, and into the present moment.

Taryn Edwards

Librarian and Manager of Writers’ Programs at the Mechanics’ Institute

David has conducted several events at our private Library:  Five 25-minute face-to-face writing consultations in front of an audience; a talk with Q&A about working with an editor; and lectures on “Planning Your Novel,” “Outline for Efficient Writing,” and “Using Beta Readers.” The events were great successes because of David’s caring demeanor, razor sharp editorial mind, and quick wit. He will be invited back!

 

Allie Chee

Journalist, Mother New Mother and Go, Jane: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Street Smarts for Dealing with Dicks
http://alliechee.com/

When I read your edits I wanted to call you and shout, Yes! Mush! Mush!

 

Graeme Daniels, MFCC

Psychologist, Novelist Crystal from the Hill

Working with you was very helpful. You were like a good therapist: kind, thoughtful, attentive yet direct.

 

Andrew O. Dugas

Novelist Sleep Walking in Paradise
www.coyotebreath.com

Having completed several revisions of my first novel, I knew it wasn’t finished but I lacked direction. Working with David proved to be both pleasurable and fruitful. His suggestions were also indispensable in helping me streamline several large sections. Thanks to my experience with David, I quickly found the energy and direction I needed to write a new beginning and bring the whole novel up to a new level.

 

Lucian James

Personal and business coach Self-help
http://lucianjames.com/about/

You really are a master of the short but provocative sentence!

 

Martin Smith, PhD

Dissertation

I am thoroughly impressed and in awe of your “hard-nosed” editing.  your work is sheer brilliance!

 

Taylor Williams, PhD

Psychologist, novelist

After recording and listening to the Because chapter a few times, I added in a couple more of the changes you suggested that I had omitted before.  Imagine, David, you really do have an ear for what works! I’m glad you have plenty of work.  Every writer you assist and every manuscript you touch make for one more beautiful thing in this world.

 

Amber Lea Starfire

Writer Week by Week: A Year’s Worth of Journaling Prompts
http://www.writingthroughlife.com/

I love the way you present concepts and ideas — practical and accessible.

 

Theresa Rogers

I want to thank you for your humor, insight, and help…. Thank you so much for being wonderful in a stressful situation!

 

Cathy Tolk

Author I’ll See You in my Dreams (Memoir of 9/11) and The Wisdom Left Behind

I wish my husband could know what I mean, like you do, instead of just hearing what I’m saying. You and I make a good team.

 

Michele Brown

Marketing Adventures in Gideon a memoir

I love what has become of my stories. There’s a tenderness of heart with you, also a laser beam clarity. 

 

Michael Turk, L.Ac.

Teacher’s Quest a memoir vignette

Your rewrite caught the spirit of the original and has turned it into an exciting adventure

 

Anoop Ahuja, Judge, Attorney

The Rummy Club a novel of Indian immigrant women

From Acknowledgements: David Colin Carr, dream editor: for managing to wrest every ounce of Indian-ness from me, for making the narrative richer and deeper, and for wringing the best performance out of me.

 

Catherine Cutler, writer, to Anoop Ahuja Judge, author of The Rummy Club

I could not put the novel down! (Truly, this is so, despite my having read the previous draft and knowing what events would unfold.) I am just incredibly impressed with this edited version, with the fleshed out characters and the fleshed out descriptions and the sense of being shown a peek behind the curtain into the lives of these four Indian-Americans. I enjoyed so much, too, all the “Indian-ness,” as you put it at the end, that your editor wrested from you. The book is stuffed full of it and, I feel, makes it such a rich and enjoyable read. I am completely bereft that there are no more pages to turn. I long to know how these four friends do in the next ten years of their lives.

 

Sandra Lee Dennis, PhD

Love and the Mystery of Betrayal Memoir/Self-help

Your input was pivotal in helping me cut and shape the final version.

 

Sean Do

Memoir of escaping the killing fields of Cambodia

Talking with you is like having an olive. The more you eat the better they taste.

 

James Vukelic

Attorney at Law Testifying Under Oath: How to be an Effective Witness Self-help

In letter to his publisher, Volcano Press: David is a patient and highly competent man. I value his expertise and his demeanor. His efforts have improved my manuscript.

 

Hassan El-Tayyab

Musician Composing Temple Sunrise: a Journey through Burning Man Memoir

You’ve made me a better writer and I can’t thank you enough for all the amazing help with the manuscript!

 

Robin Mitchell, PhD

Historian Dark Shadows, University of Georgia Press

After a marathon online outlining session: words cannot express how much i love you right now. and i can’t because i’m exhausted. but trust me, i’ll spend the rest of my life trying to tell you.

 

Rae Iverson

Novelist Silent Watch

I like the economy and directness your suggestions create. I find your sensibilities about sensitive subjects refreshingly honest. I’ve taught my dog to bow at my feet for a treat…replace dog with me, treat with you. You deserve all the accolades you can garner.

 

Glenn Hartelius, PhD

Academic, Psychologist
http://www.attentiondynamics.com/

The feedback on the writing and website was very helpful, but what your words did for my heart was much bigger. Clearly, you are a “writing therapist,” and not just an editor.

 

Jude Rose

Novelist Bones in the River

My husband keeps calling you my private workshop. He thought your services were a great deal. Thank you for helping me bring it up a few levels. Now on to climbing the next one.

 

David Levenson, MD

Maintaining Your Weight Loss: a mindfulness-based guide to the adventure of a lifetime Self-help
http://www.drdavidlevenson.com/

I love the work we are doing together. There is no feel of separation, as in this is MY work and you are MY editor. The work was done in the past. The transmission of it in written form is a co-creation that continues to evolve.

 

James Nourse, PhD, L.Ac

Psychologist, Acupuncturist Opening the Aloha Mind: Healing Self, Healing the World with Ho‘oponopono Non-fiction/Self-help
http://jamesnourse.com/

You not only rendered a clean manuscript but also really understood this subject and its importance for our time. Your nurturance of this project’s unfolding has far exceeded the formal task of editing.

 

Vince Ryan, PhD

Dissertation

I want to acknowledge how much more enjoyable, and productive, this process is when working in collaboration with you!