Editing

Welcome! I’m Victoria Griffin, an author and editor. I am also the founder of Blue Pen, where I oversee a team of editors and book designers.

I have edited professionally for eight years, during which time I’ve worked with projects of nearly every genre. My own short fiction has appeared in more than forty publications, and I am represented by Sandy Lu of Book Wyrm Literary Agency.

I am an active member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Knoxville Writers’ Guild, and the Appalachian Studies Association. I am also the organizer of the Blue Pen Writers’ Conference and the creator of Inkbury.

I hold a BA in English from Campbell University, where I played D1 softball. A brain injury during my final year derailed my plans and led me to this wonderful life supporting authors. My other passions include backpacking and leathercraft.

Specialties

I specialize in adult fiction. While I have experience with most genres, I get particularly excited about speculative fiction (fantasy, magical realism, sci-fi, horror), historical fiction, and work that blends genres. I also have significant experience with memoir.

While I work with select YA fiction, I am not the right person for middle grade or children’s books.

However, my team at Blue Pen does handle MG and children’s books, along with all genres of nonfiction. Email me for info, or check out BluePenBooks.com.

My Editing Style

I am honest but positive. I’m not going to sugarcoat feedback, but I also won’t hold back my excitement over an incredible line or plot point! I’m a writer too, and I know how it feels to be edited. In addition to producing a stronger manuscript, the editing process should help authors improve their craft and make them feel excited for the next steps. One of the most amazing things about professional editing is how it can help authors reconnect with their work.

When line editing, I carefully consider each change to ensure it is strengthening the work and highlighting the author’s unique voice. I don’t make changes for the sake of changes. Before each edit, I weigh the pros and cons to make sure more is gained than lost. Line editing is subjective, and I do my best to consider the author’s intentions for the work with each change.

Rates

  • Developmental Editing: $0.04/word
  • Manuscript Critique: $0.025/word
  • Line Editing: $0.04/word
  • Proofreading: $0.025/word

Fees are due in two installments: half on booking the project and half on completion.

Contact

To discuss your project, use the contact form or email victoria [at] victoriagriffin [dot] com.

Testimonials

Tanya E. Williams

Tanya E. Williams

Any writer looking for quality editing with honest feedback, should look no further than Victoria Griffin and Blue Pen editing services.
Georgia Derwent

Georgia Derwent

I suspect that if I’d used Victoria’s services at an earlier stage in the process, it’d have saved me a lot of self-editing trial and error.
Susan F. Pruitt

Susan F. Pruitt

I measured what she wrote against the feedback from my other “readers” and have found her analysis to be spot on with how they felt but never told me.
Ethan Cusimano

Ethan Cusimano

Victoria clearly cares for her clients. Her gentle honesty highlights improvements and reveals unexplored avenues to better your craft. Highly recommended!
Jeffrey Brown

Jeffrey Brown

Victoria will handle your work professionally and with care. Her personality also seems to be very energetic and driven. I have more confidence submitting my book to an agent knowing it has been prepared by a professional.
Timothy H. Hilke III

Timothy H. Hilke III

She was very empathetic to my needs and my story. I felt confident that she would handle my story with care. I did not feel that she would treat me as though I was just another edit or number.
KL Watkins

KL Watkins

Writing for me is extremely personal. That’s a piece of my heart and soul locked in those pages. It’s scary to hand it over to someone you’ve never actually met, knowing they’re going to work with it. It requires a lot of trust, and Victoria is worth every drop.
Debbie Romani

Debbie Romani

Victoria was prompt and professional. She was also careful to phrase critiques delicately, with an eye to suggesting improvements without being harsh. I am so pleased I hired Victoria!
John Hearon

John Hearon

As a new writer, I found myself drowning in a sea of information I found on the internet regarding querying, first ten pages, synopsis, and such. Blue Pen editing tossed me a line, showed me how to swim, and pointed me toward the shore.
Grace Papas

Grace Papas

She’s experienced, easy to work with, and very good at what she does. It’s worth every penny and I highly recommend her services, because I don’t think I would have made as much progress in my querying process without her.
Sharon Blevins

Sharon Blevins

A writing career is important enough to seek and secure professional help in order to keep moving forward. I only wish I had sought the services of Victoria Griffin much earlier!
Maya

Maya

I love how she made me feel comfortable talking about my project and that she understood all the different aspects of my novel. Victoria was a perfect match for me.