Charlie's Umbrella Archives
Passionate author and editor ready to apply creative writing skills in a variety of fields, creating innovative stories for a wide range of storytelling mediums.
Resident Dreamer Charlie Garza
Howdy there! I'm Charlie: an author of literary fiction, freelance developmental editor, and University of Michigan graduate. I've been enamored with all things storytelling since I was eight years old, spending what many consider to be an unhealthy amount of time analyzing motifs and creative direction in all things fiction.
Stories are Dreams Given Form
Books, movies, video games and every other medium are the work of magic. We create these vast landscapes and enthralling characters out of nothing and make them real through mere words. I've been writing for as long as I remember, and there's no greater joy than to help others makes their dreams a reality.
Allow me to help you create yours
In my dreams, dragons paint the sky with their magical umbrellas, giving life to the land. It would be an honor to help you do the same with the worlds of your own stories. Whether it's developmental editing, line editing or even ghostwriting, I'd love to help however I can!
© Charlie Garza. All rights reserved
Meet the Dream Weaver
A Brief History
Born and raised in Riverview Michigan, I had no shortage of worlds to be immersed in as a kid. From the imperial-capitalist revolution of The Hunger Games books to the pastel space opera of the cartoon Steven Universe, I fostered my love of storytelling with everything I could find. Eventually my passion could no longer be contained; I "borrowed" my dad's laptop and wrote a multi-chapter novella for the high-society heists of the Sly Cooper games. That's when I found the answer to the age old question every child faces: "What do you want to be when you grow up?"Since that day I've never stopped writing, paying tribute to many other worlds while developing ones of my own. Along the way I began helping friends with their own stories, helping with their narrative flow and working together to create something that they can be proud of. Whether it's writing myself or helping people develop their own stories, I always have my pen at the ready!
My Experience
For four years I studied at the University of Michigan under its Creative Writing and Literature program, developing my prose and expertise. As of May 2024, I graduated with Highest Honors after completing my 135 page novella, "Geiger" (For a slice of the story, look the portfolio section!) I also attended various internships at publishing houses, such as Dzanc Books and Michigan Quarterly Review, to assist with various stages of the book publishing process. I currently work as an editorial assistant within Dzanc Books.As a freelance and in-house editor, I have dabbled in a wide variety of genres. My specialty is fiction, but I have also assisted with poetry and academic essay collections, and even mediums beyond published media. I also work as a community writer for the "Toontown Corporate Clash" team, wherein I develop social media campaigns, write for social media advertisements, and script long-form comics that flesh out the game's world and characters; all the while collaborating with fellow writers, artists, programmers and music composers. No matter the medium, I'd be delighted to help your story become the best it can be!
Don't just take it from me!
© Charlie Garza. All rights reserved
Portfolio
A collection of my various works, both written and edited. Click the image or the titles of each to get a closer look.
If you want to see more of my work, feel free to email me and ask, I'd love to share more!
Creative Writing
I have no shortage of creative writing in my tool belt. It was hard to select from my twelve years worth of writing, but I feel these five provide the most in-depth look at my abilities.
Queer Apocalyptic Sci-Fi "Cradled by Corroding Wires"
In the far, far future of Earth, the mechanic Geiger is tasked with repairing the giant war machine "Baits," one of the machines responsible for destroying his home. As the two develop a shaky relationship, Geiger contemplates his father's tragic fate, and how that led him to the sinkhole that is working for the 'Republic of Our Alliance.'
This is a sample of my 43,000 word novel which helped me achieve highest honors in the Creative Writing and Literature department at the University of Michigan. The scene included is in the mid-point of the story, after Geiger and Baits have had a distressing previous encounter together."I have rarely seen such a compelling, moving novella rendered so (seemingly) flawlessly by an undergraduate student." -- Sarah Messer, Poet and Instructor of the University of Michigan
Developmental Editing Project -- "Fire Emblem Conquest Rewritten"
As the 14th entry in Nintendo's strategy franchise, "Fire Emblem Fates" has gained a fair amount of criticism for its (at times) frustrating writing. Utilizing line and developmental editing, this project puts a spotlight on one version of the game -- Conquest -- to draw out the latent story potential hidden beneath the surface without changing its core themes and plot points across its 70,000 word script.
Domestic Short Fiction -- "Graham Mason, Grandmaster Food Wizard"
As other kids are celebrating their survival of 5th grade, the imaginative Oleander sulks back home after just barely passed Math and Science. Finding company in her colorful new neighbor Graham, she discovers that there may be a way to solve her troubles in the magical, alchemical world of gastronomy. Artwork by TheGalleonsNest on Twitter
Longform Fanfiction -- "Life, Death, A Secret Third Thing"
An ongoing derivative work based off of "Puss in Boots: The Last Wish." With one wrong step, Fuilana Cortez ruins her entire life and comes face to face with El Lobo de la Muerte. Desperate to keep living, she challenges The God of Death to one last game.
At over 80,000 words, it stands in the 96th percentile for view rates in the Puss in Boots category (against 1,100 other published works). Artwork by Swanpit on Tumblr
Shortform Comic Script -- "The April Toons 2025 Comic"
A collaborative comic for the video game Toontown Corporate Clash. When the enigmatic and trickster High Roller traps everyone in an eternal cruise, friend and foe must team up to find a way back home.
I scripted all sixty panels for this project and advised thirty different artists in bringing this world to life. View full credits here.
Editing Library
Across my several years of editing, I have worked on a small library of published books. Below is a collection of the works I helped refine.
© Charlie Garza. All rights reserved
I'm always glad to help!
QUERY INBOX: OPENWant me to help you in your next creative endeavor? Looking to query for a book? Feel free to fill out the form below to send me an email! Whether it's a book, a script or even a visual novel, I'd be glad to help out however you wish!For Query Letters, send me the first chapter / twenty five pages of your book and a brief pitch including the genre and synopsis. You don't have to worry about pitching your history, I believe anyone can write a truly compelling story regardless of origin.
© Charlie Garza. All rights reserved
Starlight Story Services
With over a decade of creative writing under my belt, I'm happy to share my skills with others to bring the ideas sitting in their heads to life. I specialize in fiction and character-driven narratives.
All of the services listed require discussion, which can be done through either text, call or video.
Both Google Docs and Microsoft Words are preferred for leaving comments on manuscripts
Creative Consultation
Perhaps you're unsure of what exactly your story needs. Maybe you haven't started writing quite yet and need help forming the idea. Maybe you have, but you still feel like something is wrong but can't place a finger on it. For your troubles I provide creative consultation! Consultation spans a wide number of services, which are detailed below.
If you have questions regarding any of these services, feel free to email me using the link at the bottom of the page.
| Service | Description | Optional Additions | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brainstorming Session | Come to the meeting as you are with your idea (preferably write down topics in advance). We'll discuss plot elements in a casual manner and give these abstract thoughts form. | None | $3.5 / Half Hour |
| Story Outline Review | Email me a detailed outline for your manuscript including a three sentence plot synopsis. After reviewing the document we will discuss its contents and chart an emotional roadmap for the story. | Comments | $4.5 / Half Hour |
| Blind Reader's Impression | I read your provided writing sample blind (with the exception of a broad synopsis) and then discuss my impressions with you. A detached viewpoint can provide insight for those too familiar with the work. | Comments and Editorial Letter | $1 / 500 words |
| Focused Chapter Analysis | I read your submitted writing sample with instructions on what to look for (word repetition, consistency of plot points, etc.). After taking notes, we'll discuss the analysis and how to improve going forward. | Comments and Editorial Letter | $1 / 300 words |
Line and Copy Editing
For those who have an informed view of what they wish to achieve in their writing and need a helping hand in doing so. Line and Copy editing goes through the story word by word to help build stronger emotional consistency or simply wish to check for grammatical errors.
Both of these services include a minimum one page editorial letter detailing points that need to be addressed in revisions.
| Service | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Line Editing | I will read through your submission line by line to ensure it retains a tonal consistency in its word choice, pacing and paragraph spacing. Inform me ahead of time for the specific emotion you wish to convey for each plot beat. | $1 / 100 words |
| Copy Editing | I will closely read your submission to ensure it retains consistency in its environmental details and grammar choice. Please inform me of your writing style ahead of time so I may align my skill set with your own (focus on dialogue, unique use of punctuation, etc.) | $1 / 100 words |
Developmental and Content Editing
A more hands-on approach to the various services provided in Creative Consultation. Developmental and Content editing focus on the broad plot beats of a story rather than going line-by-line to ensure that the writing has a strong narrative through-line. While content editing tackles these issues in revision, developmental editing is done while the writing is in progress.
Both of these services include a minimum one page editorial letter detailing points that need to be addressed in revisions.
| Service | Description | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|
| Content Editing | With your submission's first draft fully complete, email me details of what you wish to evoke from the reader emotionally and thematically. I will perform a close reading of your work and mark edits of what changes can be made to best achieve that goal. | $1 / 150 words |
| Developmental Editing | With a document outlining your intended writing goals, we will have a meeting before you write to discuss how to carry them out and create a story satisfying to you. I am open to providing feedback as you write and constructively building ideas together. | $1 / 150 words |
All payments for these services are to be done through Paypal Invoices with payment up front following an agreement from both parties. I have the right to reject any request for my services.
© Charlie Garza. All rights reserved