Victoria Straw

Victoria Straw – Editor

All-area editor for ten years, trad and self-pub. I'll want to help you. Romance specialist. Available for short notice start dates.

Overview

Two things happened twelve years ago. I wrote my first novel and published it. Then I went back to the classroom and learned how to edit.


My love of reading ovels 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.


I write under several pen names, fiction and non-fiction, and have written and published over 50 books. They include short stories, travel, women's fiction, mashups, action & adventure, anthologies, contemporary, holiday fiction, and suspense.


I have a wealth of knowledge to offer in the self-publishing industry.


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 100+ manuscripts this year of all heat levels of romance, including steamy romance and erotica. I love romance, but I'm genre friendly with no triggers. Nothing is off-limits.


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


In the past year I've worked on many projects: Time Travel, World War II memoir, personal journey memoir, fairy tale retelling, reverse harem, dark romance, mafia Romance, MC romance, mystery & crime, cosy (cozy) mysteries, small town, paranormal, clean and wholesome. Then there is literary fiction, humor and comedy, and coming of age. Shifter romance has been popular too. All 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.


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 behaviours. 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
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Fiction
Chick Lit Contemporary Romance Cozy Mysteries Romantic Comedy Romantic Suspense Short Story Time Travel Romance
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

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Stolen Fate (Stolen Series)

Do, V.T.

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
Proofreading
Proofreading
Made with Reedsy
Beyond The Picture

Williams, Keith

Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Developmental Editing Copy Editing
Copy Editing
Real

Evans, Katy

Proofreading
Until Harry

Casey, L.A.

Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
Proofreading
The Idea of You

Prowse, Amanda

Proofreading

Victoria has 62 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Peter S.

Peter S.

Nov, 2023

Working with Victoria was perfect. I 100% recommend her. She was super responsive, professional and thorough. Brilliant job - thank-you Victoria.
Kaiko K.

Kaiko K.

Nov, 2023

I am so grateful that I was able to work with Victoria on my short story. Not only was she professional and pleasant to work with, she answered all my questions honestly and without hesitation. She has given me the feedback I needed to improve not only this story but my writing approach as well. I'm feeling more confident going in to revise my work and am excited to see where this story starter...
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Zoe J.

Zoe J.

Nov, 2023

As always, working with Victoria has been a pleasure. This is my second novel with Victoria as my editor and she is the ultimate in professionalism. She is timely, accurate and nothing is too much trouble. Her responsiveness to questions is first class which is perfect when you are working to a deadline. I cannot thank her enough.
Ashley M.

Ashley M.

Nov, 2023

Victoria was a dream to work with- her feedback was thoughtful and relevant in my develomental edit and I have no doubt she was the perfect choice for my women’s fiction novel. As someone new to the writing scene, she was extremely helpful in my journey and I wouldn’t hesitate to ask her to edit future projects.
Maggie R.

Maggie R.

Nov, 2023

The moment I started collaborating with Victoria, I felt more relaxed about the writing process of my first book. She helped me see better ways to present it and also I enjoyed our communications. She is responsive and helpful, as well as understanding. Another brilliant thing about working with Victoria was how kind she was to me, a newbie writer. Her very nature is reassuring and encouraging,...
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