Victoria Straw

Victoria Straw – Editor

All-area editor for ten years, trad and indie-pub. I'll want to help you. Romance & Women's Fiction specialist. Immediate starts available.

Overview

My love of reading novels moved to review advanced copies of books from top publishers like Entangled Publishing, Berkley Publishing Group, and Montlake Romance. I also reviewed for independent authors at the beginning of the eReader explosion, focusing on the layout and the story. Then came the opportunity for beta reading, moving to proofreading. That's where I got my experience. Then I went back to the classroom and learned how to edit. After guiding an author friend to give her books a lift, that's when I knew I could help others polish the final version of their stories.


I've professionally edited 200+ manuscripts.

All heat levels of romance, from close door sweet to spicy.


I've worked on: Romance; Women's Fiction; Contemporary; Literary Fiction; Fantasy; Romantasy; Memoirs; Self Help; Humor & Comedy; Literary Fiction; Action & Adventure; Magical realism; Mystery & Crime; Organized Crime Fiction; Mafia romance; Short Stories; Time Travel; African American fiction


I love romance, but I'm genre friendly with no triggers. Nothing is off-limits.


All the romance tropes include enemies to lovers, second chance romance, fake relationship, forced proximity, destined to be together, forbidden love, love triangle, age gap, and workplace romance.


One of my recent clients who went through a developmental edit, then a copy edit, plus book coaching sessions, got a starred Kirkus review on her debut novel. That book is now optioned for a movie deal. Another of my clients has his book turned into a movie and is out there to be viewed.


I publish under several pen names, fiction and non-fiction, and have published more than 50 books. I have a wealth of knowledge to offer in the self-publishing industry.


Do you need your story turned around quickly or an immediate start? Ask me, and I'll fit you in.


I can offer a meticulous eye for detail, synonymous with proofreading and copy editing. Ensuring the final version is as polished as it can be. I can additionally provide sensitivity checks for characters with hearing disabilities as I have a condition in this area. I'm going to go at your pace. I don't need hand-holding but embrace constant narrative with the author.

Are any of your characters based in the UK, or are they British? You may be unfamiliar with the UK's sayings, locations, or behaviors. I can help with that as I'm born, bred, and still reside in the UK.


Why me?


Based on your requirements, I will provide feedback on every line of your manuscript. I'll do it studiously and meet your deadlines. I'm not going to let you down. I'm going to be kind but straightforward. If something needs fixing, I'll show you how you can fix it.

Services
Fiction
Coming of Age Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Dark Romance Romantic Comedy Romantic Suspense Women's Fiction
Languages
English (AUS) English (CAN) English (UK) English (US)

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2012 — Present

Freelance

Jan, 2010 — Dec, 2011 (almost 2 years)

Portfolio

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Every Beautiful Mile

Manley, Ashley

Wildflower Books, LLC

Developmental Editing Copy Editing Editorial Assessment
Proofreading
In & Out: An Intimate Odyssey

Lee, James

Closed Door Media

Made with Reedsy
After the Hurt

Butler, Ann

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Aurora's Pale Light (The WalrusTech Universe Book 2)

Parris, E.W. Doc

Magic Genius Books

Made with Reedsy
Why Do THAT?: A Memoir

Ranald, Maggie

Made with Reedsy
Love & Obsession: The Ruthless Heart Series

McCracken, Ashlen

Made with Reedsy
Dream of the Anarquistas

Males, Mike

Amazon/Kindle Direct Publishing

Made with Reedsy
The Last of the Clevengers

Berk, P.M.

Made with Reedsy
Goodbye Morecambe

Stewart, M N

Albertina Books

Made with Reedsy
The Red Sea

Spahn, Steve

Sweetwater Slim

Made with Reedsy
I Fell in Love with Hope: A Novel

Lancali

Atria/Emily Bestler Books

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Arthuverse Act One Part One The Rise Of King Arthur (The Arthurverse)

Thomson Mr, Auth Daniel

Independently published

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
His Majesty's Sailor and the Girl in the Blue Coat

Gilston, Michael D

FriesenPress

Proofreading
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
The Dent in the Universe

Parris, E. W. Doc

Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Greystone Street: Destination Pleasure

Grey, Sofie

Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Muse of Ruin

Hurst, Stephanie

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
REAPER (CROW MC Book 1)

Dups, Michelle

Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
A Life Not Lived

Peter, Michael

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Proofreading
Copy Editing
Made with Reedsy
Beyond The Picture

Williams, Keith

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing

Victoria has 112 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

E.W. Doc P.

E.W. Doc P.

Nov, 2024

Pinned
Having worked with Victoria on my debut novel, it was a no-brainer to seek her out for my second book as well. My book had been through beta readers, my critique partner, an editor, and a sensitivity reader and while all of them helped produce a clean document, I rely on Victoria's attention to d...
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Margaretha M.

Margaretha M.

Feb, 2024

Pinned
Victoria is a professional which became straight away clear from the way she responded to my request and later questions. Her editorial assessment was created promptly and on time and included a multitude of pointers and ideas that I am happy to accept. As a first-time author, I was worried tha...
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Ashley M.

Ashley M.

Jan, 2024

Pinned
I am the most unhinged and annoying person I know and Victoria somehow managed me while preventing me from destroying my own book. She answered every question I asked at length and supported/continues to support me through my final revisions. She’s a gem and will absolutely be part of my future p...
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Paul F.

Paul F.

Apr, 2025

I have engaged with Victoria for this, my second book and first fiction writing. I have been delighted how she has supported my writing ability, guiding me where I needed improvement and given praise where I have impressed. Victoria suggested a way of editing that was closer to my needs and her r...
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E C.

E C.

Mar, 2025

Victoria was the perfect Jedi master of editing I needed for my project. Her stern, but always kind and considerate feedback carried me through the desert of writing my book. Thank you!

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