“If you are a dreamer, come in. If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, a hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer… If you’re a pretender, sit by the fire, for we have some flax-golden tales to spin. Come in! Come in!”
Shel Silverstein, Invitation
Hi! We’re Carol Lynn and Ralph M. Rivera, the team behind The Storyteller Foundry.
We edit novels and guide writers like you from first draft to publication-ready book. Our mission is to forge a stronger story by putting it through the metaphorical fire, hardening and shaping it into its most polished, razor-sharp form.
We believe that storytelling is the most profound expression of what it means to be human. That’s why we love working with creators. As creators ourselves, that’s why we write. That’s why we podcast. That’s why we edit. Because stories are the greatest treasures we create.
Whether you’re a first-time author exploring your options or a published writer who’s been through the process before, you’ll quickly notice that our approach to editing is different than you might expect. Instead of merely slashing through your work with a red pen, we collaborate with you as a team to make your novel the best it can be.
We also offer all the editing services you’d normally have to piece together from different providers so you can stay focused on telling your story with the confidence and reassurance of knowing we’ll be on your side from start to finish.
With a mix of professional writing and editing experience that spans three decades, an ear for language and audio storytelling, and a bit of magic fairy dust, we’ll get your novel perfected before it lands in your readers’ hands.
We’d love to forge the next chapter of your story with you. Here’s how…
“A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct.”
Frank Herbert, Dune
You want your story to be the best it can be. As your narrative unfolds from opening sentence to closing line of text, it grows into something vibrant and alive, and your characters become friends and family.
But when you’re so close to your manuscript, it’s easy to miss the little things. Maybe a character unexpectedly takes on a life of their own, wreaking havoc with your perfectly planned story arc. Or perhaps your 1950s Bel Air mysteriously transforms into a 1960s Cadillac halfway through the book. Or maybe that Bel Air should have played a starring role but somehow took the wrong detour, never to be seen again.
That’s where a professional eye can make all the difference.
Your quest to create a reader-worthy story will be full of twists and turns, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Whether you write romance, mystery, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, or anything in between, all you need is the right direction and a loyal companion (or two).
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Let’s embark on a quest across the sand to shape your story, refine your vision, and wield the power of your Voice.
…or scroll down to read Chapter 2: The Journey.
“ There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go. ”
J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
It’s exhilarating to finally write the words “The End.” The excitement you feel might tempt you to sprint towards layout and printing, but experienced authors know that professional editing is the crucial next step. “The End” is really just the beginning of another journey on your quest.
Even the most skilled authors make grammatical mistakes, lose track of details, and accidentally introduce narrative inconsistencies. That’s why we offer creative coaching and editing to refine your ideas, fine-tune the details, and forge a stronger story.
For us, editing isn’t just about grabbing a red pen and making a bunch of corrections. It’s a conversation. Together, we pose questions. We pull at threads. We expose open loops. We make sure every setup has a payoff. We challenge timelines and motivations. We ensure that foreshadows don’t cast too much light and that red herrings remain beautiful lies. And yes, we make sure that the story pulls the trigger on Chekov’s gun.
If you’ve completed a first draft and are ready for insightful feedback and meticulous editing, we’ll get you to layout-ready novel in one seamless process. You won’t have to juggle multiple services or track feedback from different people. Everything is included so your experience will be as smooth as possible.
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A journey begins with a single step. Our satchels are packed. Carol Lynn has her Blackwing pencils, Ralph has his red Baron Fig pen, and both of us have Second Breakfast. Let’s take that first step together.
Scroll down to read Chapter 3: The Adventure.
“ The road must eventually lead to the whole world.”
Jack Kerouac, On the Road
You know your story better than anyone, but when you’ve been deep in the writing process, it can be hard to see what’s working and what isn’t. Maybe a subplot isn’t going anywhere, a character feels unconvincing, or the payoff doesn’t quite land the way you envisioned. That’s where story coaching comes in.
Through a personalized, collaborative process, we ensure your storytelling delivers the impact you want. This isn’t about rewriting your book, it’s about providing the guidance you need to sharpen your story so it connects with readers.
You’ve built your world, crafted your characters, and shaped your story. Now it’s time to refine every sentence until your manuscript is as strong as possible.
Proofreading is the final step before your book goes out into the world. Every comma, period, and crossed “T” gets a careful review to ensure your manuscript is as clean, professional, and publication-ready as possible.
Artificial Intelligence has become the buzzword of the day, and a controversial one. AI tools come in many forms, from search engines to spell checkers and research assistants. While AI tools can enhance efficiency, we will never use AI to analyze or rewrite your work or to make our recommendations.
We believe that human creativity is vastly superior to artificial intelligence, and nothing compares to the power of human storytelling. Your book is a human work of art designed for human readers, and it deserves to be read, understood, and sharpened through a human lens.
When you trust us with your creative work, you are giving us something very human, and we promise to always give you our human dedication in return.
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Adventures are more fun together. There’s nowhere to go but everywhere, and we’re ready to hit the road. The keys are in the ignition—let’s go!
…or scroll down to read Chapter 4: The Path.
“ There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss. … Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties. ”
Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything
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The path will have bumps, but navigating it will be easier than reading Vogon Poetry. Spread your wings and fly but remember to miss the ground!
…or scroll down to read Chapter 5: The Guides.
“ Step forward into your cave. That’s right. You’re going deeper into your cave, and you’re going to find your power animal.”
Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club
We’re Carol Lynn and Ralph M. Rivera, and our story is about telling stories. In 1989, we started a marketing company dedicated to the art and craft of helping businesses and creatives tell their own stories.
Over the years, that has included writing and editing for presentations, website content, video scripts, marketing emails, social media, print publications, books, and more.
We hosted a marketing podcast that ran for nearly two hundred episodes before we retired it to focus on helping other podcasters connect with their audiences and tell better stories.
Along the way, we’ve been speakers, teachers, and workshop leaders, sharing our expertise with creatives across the country. We’ve been advisors, project managers, programmers, and creative thinkers.
But at our core, we’ve always been storytellers.
We believe that every human is a storyteller. Whether it’s a novel that lingers in a reader’s mind or a brand narrative that inspires loyalty, a well-told story has unmistakable power.
Our philosophy is simple: uncover the heart of the story and connect it with the audience that was meant to hear it.
With over three decades of experience, we bring dedication and care to every client we work with. Whether it’s copywriting, editing, audio, or anything in between, our work has always centered around storytelling. Our expertise spans genres and industries, from refining and polishing narratives to crafting them from no more than some scattered notes.
We know how to engage readers, even with complex or unfamiliar topics. We know how to speak to diverse audiences. And we know how to work behind the scenes to help others tell their stories and engage with their audiences in their own voice.
We invite you to explore the testimonials below from a few people we’ve worked with over the years. They may not be novelists, but they tell stories every day through emails, blogs, magazine articles, and podcasts. Their experiences say more than we ever could, and their trust reflects the care and expertise they expect us to bring to every story.
We’re ready to do the same for yours. We will show you where your story needs refining and how to strengthen it. We will manage your project so you can stay focused on telling your story and getting it into the hands of readers. And we will ensure your novel is the best version of itself.
Because great stories deserve to be told. And yours deserves to be heard.
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Who are Carol Lynn and Ralph? I have no idea who these people are. Why is my picture on this site? I’m calling my attorneys. Just kidding.
At Hindenburg, we create a world-class audio editing platform for storytellers, journalists, audiobook narrators, and podcasters. For us, it’s all about story. We rely on people who truly understand the craft of storytelling and Carol Lynn and Ralph have been invaluable allies in that regard. They consistently deliver insightful, creative ideas and perspectives.
Nick Dunkerley, Founder & CEO
Hindenburg Systems
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Carol Lynn and Ralph combine a passion for writing with a skill for editing that will make your words come to life. Their collaborative approach means they journey along with you to ensure it is your voice that rings out clearly. They edit with precision and caring and are genuinely invested in your success. With Carol Lynn and Ralph on your team your story will be masterfully edited, resulting in a work you will be immensely proud of.
Kaarina Dillabough, Business Coach
Former Olympic Coach and Broadcast Commentator
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Decades ago, when Ralph was a Film & Journalism major sitting in my classroom, I never imagined that one day I’d be sitting in his with other faculty members learning digital storytelling through technology. For almost 10 years, he also taught digital storytelling and web development to students. All these years later, we’re still friends, and his former students are out in the world, working in film, broadcasting, and PR, putting those skills to real use. I couldn’t be prouder of Ralph and Carol Lynn as they continue finding new and creative ways to help their clients and students tell better stories.
Robert Coleman, Coordinator of Media Technology
Manhattan University, New York City
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Working with Carol Lynn and Ralph has been nothing but a joy. When they say they’ll do something, they always do it, and more. We’ve been working together for more than ten years, and their guidance has always been the right thing for us to do as a business. Carol Lynn belts out a blog every week for us, and I’m always amazed at how she puts words on a page. I have a thought, and she runs with it and turns it into something that reads like a book. I never tire of reading what they write. My customers always ask who writes our blogs and tell us how impressed they are. I always tell people that if they need someone to write or to represent their company, call Carol Lynn and Ralph. They are a positive force, and I can’t say enough good things about their talent and work ethic.
Lou-Ann Bock, Senior VP of Customer Experience
Grounds Keeper, Inc
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I’ve known Ralph and Carol Lynn for what seems like forever. Over the years, we’ve worked together, helping podcasters discover and tell their own unique stories. While it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking of storytelling through podcasting as a technical effort, they always approach it as artistry first. As artists, they always know how to take the most mundane aspects of life and turn them into hilarious anecdotes that audiences love. They get that a storyteller’s primary responsibility is to the audience.
Dan Hughley, Sr. Manager, Brand Marketing
Focusrite, Americas
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Spring pins, Roll pins, and tension bushings are not the sexiest topic on the planet, but Ralph and Carol Lynn take everyday, technical concepts and turn them into stories that my team and my customers love. We have deep conversations where Carol Lynn asks questions and picks my brain, then filters it through the needs of our customers to help them understand our products and why Vogelsang is the best company to provide them. I can give them a messy list of ideas and talking points, and they’ll turn it into a cohesive story every time.
Nick Penney, National Sales Manager
Vogelsang Fastener Solutions
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We will be your power animals and guide you out of your cave. The first rule of Carol Lynn and Ralph’s power animal is YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT CAROL LYNN AND RALPH’S POWER ANIMAL.
…or scroll down to read Chapter 6: The Gear.
“ This was the brand of heat tape Juliette was used to working with, Mechanical’s design. ”
Hugh Howey, Wool Omnibus Edition
We’ve talked a lot about the quest you’ve embarked on and the various journeys that will entail. But every great adventure requires the right gear. After all, you wouldn’t venture into shark-infested waters with nothing but an inner tube, or enter a dark enchanted forest without your best magic spells.
Before charting a path, we’ll make sure you’re fully prepared. That begins with a structured timeframe to work in, and key milestones to guide you along the way. We know that you want your novel to be the best it can be, but we also understand that efficiency matters. And part of that efficiency is knowing when to move forward.
Letting go of your book can be just as hard as writing it. It’s easy to get caught in an endless loop of revisions, always feeling like perfection is just one more edit away. We’re here to keep you from getting stuck so you can share your work with pride.
We also know that life can throw you curveballs. While we stay focused on keeping the process moving, we’re flexible enough to adjust when necessary. Our mission is to help you feel confident in your manuscript and see the true value of our collaboration.
With that in mind, most novels are ready for layout within four to six weeks.
Tracking your edits isn’t just about marking changes. It’s about understanding how far you’ve come. Traditional revision tracking often focuses only on where you are, but to truly appreciate your progress, you need to see where you started.
With our approach, you can track your revisions in a way that lets you see your growth. By keeping a clear view of your starting point, you can look back at the challenges you faced, the improvements you made, and the obstacles you overcame. You’ll always know exactly where you are in the process and just how much closer you are to your goal.
This method helps you see the story of your manuscript’s evolution, so you can appreciate every win.
Your finished novel is the culmination of your creative quest. While we’ll offer guidance and suggestions (sometimes strongly), your book will reflect your vision and values.
A book should always serve the reader, but it can also be a deeply personal, introspective pursuit. Our role is to provide constructive feedback to elevate your work, but as with all art, “elevate” is subjective. The final creative and narrative decisions are yours to make.
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Having the right gear is an essential ingredient for any quest. With us by your side, you’ll never leave the silo with the wrong kind of heat tape.
…or scroll down to read Chapter 7: The Treasure.
“ Books are mirrors: you only see in them what you already have inside you. ”
Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Shadow of the Wind
Few moments are as rewarding as seeing your vision come to life.
Take this moment to picture yourself opening a box filled with your books, fresh from the printer and ready to be put into the hands of your eager readers. Imagine the striking cover design, the smooth texture of the pages beneath your fingertips, the crisp, familiar scent of new paper. Every detail reflects the story you’ve brought into the world. Those are your words, your heart and soul, your treasure.
Authors who have stood where you are now know this feeling well. We’ve worked alongside them, guiding their manuscripts from draft to polished novel. Here’s what they have to say about the journey.
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Our authors’ books are no longer hidden in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. They have shared their treasure with the world. You can, too.
…or scroll down to read Chapter 8: The Beginning.
Jennifer Pirecki, LMFT
Healing Educator, Therapist, and Author
“Ralph and Carol Lynn’s supportive process provided needed refinement and sharpening to my work on its way to completion. Their keen literary eye uncovered elusive elements which served to enhance its final form.”
Bruno Pirecki
Award Winning Author of “Town Lawe” and “The House of Long Shadows”
“Every writer needs a Carol Lynn and Ralph Rivera in their life. Working with them as editors and advisors has made me a more complete author, and I can’t give higher praise for their caring-corralling of me during our process together. Expect to be pushed, prodded, and tested, because you will be, and your work will be better for it!”
“ Would you like an adventure now, or would you like to have your tea first? ”
J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
Together, we can make your manuscript the best it can be. Reach out and tell us about your book. We’d love to support you on your path to publication. If you are nervous or afraid to take the first step, we invite you to reflect on the words of the Litany Against Fear from the first chapter of one of our favorite novels, Frank Herbert’s Dune.
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
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A beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. No more scrolling. It’s time.
