FOR MADDIE'S GHOST
2024 Midland Authors Award for Children’s Fiction
“An irresistible narrative, rich with exciting clues.”—Editor’s Pick, Publishers Weekly Booklife
“A fine mystery with winsome characters and a complicated old house.”—Kirkus Reviews
“An exciting exploration of history, justice, and the long-lasting impact of the past.”—5 stars, Readers’ Favorite
FOR EDDIE’S WAR
★ “A poignant look at boyhood before and during the long years of World War II. . . . In spare language and remarkably short sketches, carefully selected details effectively portray well-rounded, interesting characters. . . . Much more an emotionally resonant coming-of-age tale than a war story, this will be an easy sell for those seeking a quick, excellent read.” — Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Books of 2011
★ “Beautifully written prose vignettes” (Outstanding Merit) — Bankstreet Best Books of 2012 (Ages 12-14)
“What I, personally, consider the greatest YA titles entering the marketplace this year. . . . Eddie’s War by Carol Fisher Saller shows us the impact of WWII on a farm boy in the Heartland. True and tender.” —Nikki Grimes, author, judge for National Book Award 2011, from “Nine Not-to-Miss Novels,” the poetry zone
“Beautifully phrased and vividly revealing of character . . . an authentic window into the past that recalls the narrative power of Karen Hesse’s verse and the moral debate in Mary Downing Hahn’s Stepping on the Cracks.” — Horn Book
“Free verse vignettes will appeal to reluctant readers. Compare to Robert Cormier’s Frenchtown Summer or Rick Beck’s Necking With Louise. Very highly recommended.” — Children's Literature
“The narrative’s steady progression focuses on a boy’s maturation into his teen years. . . . Eddie’s reflections . . . connect the larger peaceful aspirations of a postwar world with the simple individual dreams of a teen.” — School Library Journal
FOR THE BRIDGE DANCERS
Winner of the 1991 Carl Sandburg Award for Children's Literature.
“A complex picture book for readers young and old.” —School Library Journal
“Saller transports readers to another time and place through this convincing, first-person narrative. . . . An affecting short story in illustrated book format and a good choice for reading aloud.” —Booklist
FOR THE SUBVERSIVE COPY EDITOR
“This is the book Oprah would write if her vocation were saving writers from embarrassment, rather than saving the whole world. . . . I think Mr. Bernstein and Messrs. Strunk and White will find Saller to be good company.” — Jennifer Balderama, The New York Times
“What may be the best copy editor’s companion since the CMS. . . . Saller writes with wisdom and a great generosity of spirit in this singular survival guide to the copy editor’s trade. . . . Improbably fun text. . . . An ideal complement to any style guide: practical, relentlessly supportive and full of ed-head laughs.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) Pick of the Week
“An insider’s book to cure writers . . . while shoring up editors. . . . Good advice.” — William Safire, On Language, The New York Times
“I wish I had had this book 30 years ago; it could have saved me from any number of rash actions and missteps.” — John E. McIntyre, You Don’t Say, Baltimore Times
“An entertaining trip even for those who never plan to lift a red pen or use the editing feature of a word-processing program.” — Thomas Frisbie, Chicago Sun-Times
”The Subversive Copy Editor . . . should be required reading in all creative writing programs. It’s also got lots of good advice about life itself. I read it in one fell swoop.” — ZYZZYVASpeaks
“While copy editors are Saller’s target audience, [her] wisdom that applies to just about anyone.” — Robert Loerzel, Time Out Chicago
“Carol Fisher Saller is the mentor that every copyeditor dreams of: wise, smart, shrewd, gracious, generous, and self-deprecating. — Amy Einsohn, author of The Copyeditor’s Handbook
“The Subversive Copy Editor . . . is a delightful book. I haven’t had this much fun reading about things editorial since devouring Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird.” — Stephanie Deming, Science Editor
“Saller’s straightforward, sometimes witty approach will benefit anyone who spends time writing or editing.” — Andy Bechtel, News & Observer
FOR CAROL
“Carol Saller is a treasure. Students in my editing course at UNC-Chapel Hill read The Subversive Copy Editor as part of our discussion of the writer-editor relationship. Last semester, Carol visited the class in a virtual ‘book club’ meeting, and the students loved meeting her and asking her questions about life as an editor. Thank you, Carol!”—Andy Bechtel, Hussman School of Journalism, University of North Carolina
“Thanks again to the Subversive Copy Editor for her helpful, funny, and encouraging Zoom chat with the editors and student interns at Borrowers and Lenders: The Journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation! It was great to inject a little humor into our work on a Friday afternoon. As PhD researcher Mikaela Warner said, Carol is ‘a gem.’”—Sujata Iyengar
“Highly recommended! Our class at Whitireia Publishing in New Zealand was lucky enough to start our day with a virtual visit from Carol today. She is so wise, warm and open. We could have kept talking for hours!”—Theresa Crewdson
“Carol, you were able to make what is usually considered a very dry topic—editing—a humorous and informative adventure. You delivered information in manageable and relevant chunks, and it was just a pure delight to have you at Diamonds in the Rough.” — Janet Hagan Wallace, Founder, Writing on the Wall Management
“As an aspiring editor, I found it such a joy to have Carol speak to our class.” —Cristal Sanchez, student, Pace University MS in Publishing Program
“The wisdom that Carol imparts is invaluable. I enjoyed hearing how open she was to admitting mistakes and human error within her own work. Overall, it was an enlightening experience to be able to chat with her and learn from one of the best!” —Andrea Caronia, student, Pace University MS in Publishing Program
“Witty, engaging, and clear-eyed, Carol Saller speaks right to the heart of anyone who loves the written word.” — Sarah Grey, Developmental Editor, O’Reilly Media
“Carol has a reputation among writers and editors as being smart, witty and gracious. The room was completely engaged with her, laughing and nodding. We all walked away having learned something, too. And we felt valued by her — because she connected to us, as one writing and editing professional to another. I’ve seen Carol speak at other conferences. She is always authentic, kind and insightful, whether talking with a person one-on-one or being at the front of the room.” — Gael Spivak, President, Editors Canada
“I can’t tell you how entertaining you were in that polished presentation about editing. One of my fave panels, it was seriously so good and informative, and also inspiring and I love how you de-glorified the ever raging debate about the Oxford comma!! . . . Any conference would be lucky to have you. Writers will definitely benefit from your expertise and humor!” — Chelsea Starling, Author
“You took what is normally a snoozy topic and made us laugh and enjoy. You tricked us into learning a few things and I’m so grateful! Please don’t change anything about your presentation!” — Heather Hildenbrand, Author
“I was very lucky to work with Carol Saller, author of The Subversive Copyeditor and The Chicago Manual of Style Online’s Q&A. . . . It’s great fun when copy-editing is taken as collaborative and constructive rather than punitive and regulatory. (Carol even makes a cameo appearance in one of the footnotes.)” — Charles Bernstein, Author, Poet
