Editing is exciting

I promise. You’ll love it.

My editing style

Honest and positive

I won’t 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.

The editing process should produce a stronger manuscript. It should also help you grow as a writer. After working with me, you should feel more confident and excited for the next steps.

When line editing, I carefully consider each change. I do not make changes for the sake of changes. Before each mark to a manuscript, I carefully balance the pros and cons to best strengthen the prose while preserving the author’s voice and intentions.

My specialties

While I specialize in developmental editing and manuscript critiques, I also adore line editing.

Genres & Age Categories

I have significant experience with and thoroughly enjoy the following genres and age categories. My specialties are starred. I get extra excited about work that blends genres or has an Appalachian or Southern setting. My special interests include hiking and outdoors, sports and athletics, and TBI.

Adult

Young adult

Fantasy

Historical fiction

Horror

Literary fiction

Magical realism

Mystery

Romance

Sci-fi

Thriller

Women’s / book club fiction

Memoir

General nonfiction

Services & Rates

Limited

Testimonials

Victoria’s editorial comments not only improved my manuscript, but they also helped me open my mind up to plot and story possibilities that I had previously struggled with. Working with Victoria was one of the highlights of my writing process.

Tanya E. Williams

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.

Georgiana Derwent

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.

Timothy H. Hilke III

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!

Debbie Romani

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.

KL WatkinsCompany Name

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!

Sharon Blevins

Read All Testimonials

FAQs

Editing Process

Will editing change my manuscript’s voice?

Every change should improve the manuscript and align with the author’s vision. Good editing does not destroy what is special about your work. It not only maintains but highlights your unique narrative voice. I am always working in the best interest of your manuscript and career.

Do you ever decline to work with a manuscript?

Yes, I do. I only accept projects if I feel absolutely confident that I am the best person to edit the work. If I’m not a good fit, I will first look for a fit within my team of personally vetted Blue Pen editors. If no one on our team is a fit, I will refer to one of my network of trusted editors.

What word processing program do you use?

I use the industry standard Microsoft Word, with Track Changes for line-level editing.
Please see the following resources I created to assist authors in exporting from other programs and using Track Changes.

Export from Scrivener
Export from Google Docs
Export from Pages
How to Use Microsoft Word Track Changes (with video)

Do you only edit manuscripts in American English?

While American English is my native variant, I have edited manuscripts in British and Canadian English.

Which style guide do you use?

Since I primarily edit fiction, I most often use the Chicago Manual of Style. I create style sheets as necessary for manuscripts or series, and I apply other style guides as necessary for the genre.

Additional Services

Can you help me choose a publishing path?

I sure can. I have been supporting authors through both the self-publishing process and the querying process for nearly a decade. Both options have benefits and drawbacks, and neither is inherently better than the other.

See my article Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing for a breakdown of the pros and cons of the various options available to you.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your publishing options.

Do you assist writers with querying literary agents?

I sure do! I offer traditional query critiques, along with a query coaching service I have found to be very effective. I also provide synopsis critiques and a submission package. Explore my query and submission services.

Do you offer coaching or consultations?

Absolutely. I offer 30-minute and 1-hour consultations. These sessions can be used for book coaching, publishing decision-making, or add-ons to editing services.

Schedule your consultation here.

Can you provide cover design or interior layout?

While I myself do not offer book design services, I oversee a team of talented designers at Blue Pen. Review our portfolio of book design projects, and contact me for more information.

Logistics

Should I schedule editing services in advance?

Yes, my schedule often fills quickly, so I recommend booking editing services in advance. I require a 50% deposit to hold the slot in my schedule. If your draft is incomplete at the time of booking, the deposit will be calculated using the anticipated word count and the final payment adjusted based on the actual word count.

Do you offer sample edits?

Yes, sample edits are available on request.

Business and Policies

Will my work remain private?

Absolutely. Safeguarding your work is a huge priority for me. I will never share your manuscript without your permission.

Do I maintain the copyright to my work?

Yes! You maintain the copyrights to your work at all times. I hold the copyrights to my edits until the final payment is complete, at which time those copyrights are transferred to you, allowing you to legally publish the edited work.

I never take any royalties or shared profits.

How do you set your rates?

My rates are based on industry standards published by the Editorial Freelancers Association.

When are fees due?

Fees are due in two installments: 50% on booking and the remaining 50% on completion.

If the draft is incomplete at the time of booking, the estimated word count is used to calculate the deposit.

Do the listed per-word rates vary?

Although the listed rates apply to most manuscripts, they can vary. The listed fees are for standard fiction manuscripts. Nonfiction manuscripts (apart from memoir) may require an additional fee. Per-word fees may vary based on the complexity of the project.

Are you a member of any professional associations?

Yes, I maintain membership with the following organizations:

Editorial Freelancers Association
Alliance of Independent Authors (Partner Member, Blue Pen)
Knoxville Writers’ Guild
Lost State Writers Guild
Appalachian Studies Association

Ready to get started?

I can’t wait to read your story.

Get in touch