"Thanks to her help, my manuscript has revived, and I am glad I didn’t give up. She’s always available and full of expert advice. Take the chance to work with Victoria, you (and your work) will not regret it."
​—Safiya M

"Victoria was professional, kind, and direct about what needed to be done to make my manuscript the best that it could be. ​Any writer looking for quality editing with honest feedback, should look no further than Victoria Griffin and Blue Pen Editing services." 
​—Tanya Williams

"Someone who loved words as much as I, and wouldn't hold back when things got in the way of the story. Victoria is quick in her responses, effective in her comments, encouraging in her style. A pleasure to work with."
—Frank Tavares

 

Below are a few of the most popular services from Blue Pen.

explore all services here

​Developmental Editing

Developmental editing addresses big-picture storytelling. An attentive read culminates in a written analysis of your manuscript's strengths and weaknesses, along with solutions. Your manuscript will be marked with heavy comments addressing pace, continuity, plot, character, voice, etc.
​starting at $0.028/word

​Manuscript Critique

This is a budget-friendly option for authors who need feedback on the high-level elements of their work. After the critique, you will have a thorough understanding of your manuscript and story, along with a plan for tackling revisions. For deeper overall feedback, authors can pursue a manuscript critique prior to developmental editing.
starting at $0.01/word​

​Line Editing

Line editing involves changes at the sentence and paragraph levels to improve the flow and impact of the prose. This heavy, low-level editing addresses issues related to clarity, consistency, and concision, while maintaining and highlighting the work's original voice. Line editing emphasizes craft above all else and is crucial to bringing prose up to a professional level.
​starting at $0.025/word

Additional Services

Blue Pen also offers proofreading, reread reports, querying and submission prep, book and query coaching, and multi-pass editing discounts. If you're not sure which service(s) will most benefit your manuscript and career, we are more than happy to walk you through the options.
​

explore all services and rates

 

I treat each manuscript as I would like my own to be treated.

​​I am ruthless because you need me to be. As an editor, I am able to view the work objectively and to make difficult decisions. I'm not remembering the night I fell in love with my protagonist or the morning I dreamed up the perfect setting. I'm judging the work based on its effectiveness—the way a reader will. I am here to make the work better, and each and every change I make should result in improvement.

But I understand it's your baby. I know you put in endless hours. You dreamed about your characters and reminisced about their pasts. I know you have stories about them that never made it to the page, and I know your work is an extension of yourself. That's why I tell you the positives too. I won't hide my excitement when I run across that sparkling gem of a sentence. I'm not here to coddle you, but I am here to encourage you. I strive to make each author's editorial experience a positive one. Our relationship should foster your talent and nurture your passion.
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I work to develop a clear sense of your authorial vision so that editing highlights your unique voice and style, rather than suppressing it. I will never push my personal agenda on your work. I maintain open lines of communication, and I strive to ensure your comfort and confidence at each stage of the process.

Taking the plunge into freelance editing is one of the most rewarding choices I have made to date. I am proud of each and every piece I have worked with. There is no better feeling than returning a manuscript to its author, knowing that it is improved. I have worked with incredibly talented writers and take immense pride in being part of their books' journeys. For me, the author-editor relationship does not end when the final edits are complete. I am always available for help, advice, and to share and promote your successfully published work.

 

Why do I need an editor?

Even writers who are ruthless editors of their own work are often too close to make necessary decisions. An editor is able to be entirely objective and act in the best interest of the manuscript. While improving the manuscript is an editor's main goal, I believe the lessons that studious writers learn as a result are even more important. Editors can identify weaknesses in style and technique, which help writers improve their craft.

Do you work with my genre?

One of my favorite parts of editing is reading books I might not pick from the shelf. I have worked with genres including romance, horror, western, inspirational, sci-fi, memoir, historical, upmarket, fantasy, crime thriller, adventure, and suspense.

That said, I do a little happy dance whenever I get literary, suspense, or horror. Some other favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, and thriller. No matter the genre, I'm always up for a character-driven story featuring characters with agency and depth. I get extra excited about stories that blend genres.

I specialize in adult fiction, but I have worked with several YA authors and continue to accept YA manuscripts. I do not edit children's or middle grade fiction.

I also accept select nonfiction projects. Since I am an athlete and backpacker, these typically involve athletics or the outdoors.

What are your credentials?

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in English from Campbell University. My undergraduate work included intense criticism of both classic and modern literature, which provided a strong foundation for developmental editing. Many of the skills I learned while applying deconstruction and reader response criticism, especially, have been invaluable during editing.

I also studied creative writing at the University of Evansville, including a rigorous copyediting class (during which I promised myself I would never become an editor). Those studies created a strong foundation for my editing skills, and I am so glad I came to view editing in a different light. Editing is an incredibly rewarding job, and I always wake up excited about the day's work.

I'm also a writer myself, with more than forty published pieces in literary magazines, journals, and anthologies. I am represented by Sandy Lu of L. Perkins Agency. I am an active member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Knoxville Writers' Guild, and the Tennessee Mountain Writers. I believe in continuous learning and am always working to improve my crafts—both writing and editing.

Do you have an editing philosophy?

My goal for each project is to align the words on the page with the author's vision. I want to enhance the unique aspects of each project. That means I need to 1. have a discussion with the author about their vision and goals for the manuscript, 2. identify the strongest and most unique aspects of the work, and 3. make or suggest changes that enhance those strengths and remove weak elements and distractions.

Editing is not a science; it's a craft. There is no perfect solution to editing problems. Each choice we make has pros and cons, and it's my job to make thoughtful decisions that minimize the cons and are true to the style and direction of the work.

I will be tough, and I will be honest. But everything I do is in the best interest of the project and the author's growth as a writer. See more about my Editing Philosophy.

Are you the right editor for me?

Go with your gut. Do you feel like we would make a good team? Do you think I have the type of editing style and philosophy your manuscript needs? If not, no hard feelings! I’ll still be excited when your work is published, and I’ll still be here if I can help you along your path.

Bottom line: You have to be comfortable with the person editing your work.

If you have reservations about working with me, or if you have questions about the process, send me an email. I'm always happy to chat. If it turns out we're not a good fit, I will gladly point you in the direction of some trustworthy, professional editors who may be exactly what you're looking for.

How do you set your rates?

I quote projects at a per-word rate. I offer a variety of editing services, and the rate depends on the type of editing. The typical rate for each service is listed on the Editing Services page. Note that these are typical rates and vary for each project. Before offering a quote, I request sample pages in order to determine the amount of time the edit will require.

I base my per-word rates on industry standards published by the EFA.

What will our author-editor relationship be like?

I have a unique relationship with each client. Every author is different, but a few things remain consistent. I want the editing process to be a learning experience, so I am always happy to explain why I made certain changes or suggestions. If the author enters the editing process hoping for a learning experience, they will find one.

I make a point of developing lasting relationships with my clients. I'm here for your manuscript, but I'm also here for you. I love promoting published projects and supporting clients as they continue their writing journeys. Little in this world makes me happier than seeing a client succeed.

what does your contract say?

The contract details payment specifics, including rates and payment schedules. It also protects your rights as an author. It specifies that your work is to remain private and that you retain copyright ownership at all times during and after the process. It also ensures that copyright ownership of my edits are transferred to you.

What program do you use for editing?

I make all edits in Microsoft Word. I use the comments feature and Track Changes so you can see everything that was changed and accept or reject individual changes. If you have not worked with Track Changes before, I am happy to provide assistance. I also created a short video to introduce clients to Track Changes.

How far in advance should i schedule editing?

No matter your deadline, we can make it work.

I am typically booked out four to eight months. For a faster turnaround time, I will schedule you with a member of the Blue Pen editorial team. I supervise and review all work completed by my editorial team, so you can be sure the work is top notch.

​You are more than welcome to schedule editing before completing your draft. In that case, we will use the anticipated word count to set the deposit amount.

Work on shorter projects—such as partials, query critiques, or submission packages—can typically begin immediately.

Publishing services, including cover design and interior layout, are typically available within two months.

Availability for book and query coaching depends on my current client roster.

Are you going to hurt my baby?

After editing, your manuscript will look different. That’s what you’re paying me for, right? But every change I make should improve the manuscript. Every. Single. One. I’m not changing things for the heck of it. I want to help you make your work the absolute best it can be. I never edit on autopilot. Before every change I make, I ask myself two questions: Is this going to make the work better? Is this change in keeping with the author’s vision? If the answer to either of those questions is no, I either make no changes, or I leave a comment for the author.

No, I am not going to hurt your baby. I am going to help it grow. I’m a writer too, and I know what it feels like to be edited. I always have the best interest of your manuscript at heart. Butchers use knives, but so do surgeons.

Am i ready for professional editing?

Could you make it any better yourself? If not, you’re ready for professional editing. My job is to pick up where you leave off. Professional editing is not a replacement for self-editing. It’s a deeper level of the editing process.

That said, you can schedule editing before you get to that point. Just make sure you leave yourself time to self-edit before the scheduled start date.

Resources for guidance during the earlier stages of the process:
- Individual book coaching
- Editing 101 online course
- Edit Like a Pro workbook

You can also reach out to me through email at victoria@victoriagriffin.com. I am more than happy to point you in the right direction or give you advice on how to move forward with your writing or editing process.

What is one thing most writers don't understand about the art of revision?

Like writing, revision is a craft and requires practice. Just as time creates stronger writing abilities, it creates stronger revision skills. There is nothing wrong with spending large amounts of time revising work. In fact, I would never attempt to revise a piece in one pass. With each pass, the piece becomes better, and you become more skilled in the art of revision.

​Another way to improve your skills, which many writers neglect, is to practice with others’ work. Beta reading and even mentally editing while reading for pleasure are fantastic ways to better your craft.

What is one thing anyone can do right now to make themselves a better writer?

Divide yourself into three people: the writer, the editor, and the submitter. Do not let any of these three people influence the others. Write instinctively, edit analytically, and submit with ferocity and the thickest skin you can wear. This might not be easy, but it will certainly make you a better writer.

And read. Because if, as Kafka said, “a non-writing writer is a monster courting insanity,” a non-reading writer is one courting insanity in the dark.

Tell me about your editorial team.

To create additional opportunities for my clients, including faster turnaround times and multi-pass edits, I maintain a team of talented editorial professionals. I do so with several values in mind.

1. Quality

Each member of the Blue Pen editorial team has been thoroughly vetted. Their skills and work are solid. I would never put my or my company's name on work that I do not have 100% confidence in.

2. Involvement

I supervise and review all work completed by my editorial team. I will never pass off your manuscript and step out of the picture. My hand is in each edit, whether or not I complete the entire project independently.

3. Transparency

I always inform clients when professionals from my team are working on their project. Because I take full responsibility for edits completed by my team, authors generally only need to communicate with me. Additionally, each member of my team signs an agreement that ensures that my clients maintain privacy and copyright ownership.

If you want only my hands on your work, I am more than happy to oblige. You'll just need to book a bit farther in advance (typically four to eight months, compared to zero to two months for a Blue Pen team member).

​Victoria is the founder and owner of Blue Pen Books. She has worked with genres including literary fiction, suspense, horror, thriller, romance, historical fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and memoir. She adores any work that blends genres.

Victoria's short fiction has appeared in more than 40 publications. Her writing tends to emphasize Appalachian culture and often includes literary and suspense elements. She is represented by Sandy Lu of L. Perkins Agency.

Victoria is an active member of the Editorial Freelancers Association, the Knoxville Writers' Guild, and the Tennessee Mountain Writers. She is also a founding editor of the Revise & Resubmit (#RevPit) pitch contest.

learn more about Victoria