Victoria Zackheim

Victoria Zackheim – Editor

I edit fiction and nonfiction. Anne Perry, Caroline Leavitt, Robb Forman Dew are among my clients. I do not edit sci-fi or fantasy novels.

Overview

I'm an editor of both fiction and nonfiction. Over the past five years, I've edited ten novels and five novellas for international bestseller Anne Perry. Other clients have included National Book Award winner Robb Forman Dew (memoir) and Caroline Leavitt (Days of Wonder, 2024). I reviewed books for the San Francisco Chronicle, and am the creator and editor of seven anthologies, including the international bestseller, The Other Woman, with such contributing authors as Jane Smiley, Jeffery Deaver, Caroline Leavitt, Joyce Maynard, and Malachy McCourt. I teach Personal Essay in the UCLA Extension Writers Program. My novel, The Curtain Falls in Paris, is the first of a three-book series and was published in May 2025. I was given the honor of completing Death Times Seven, the last in the Daniel Pitt series written by international bestselling author Anne Perry, who died after writing the rough draft of the first nine chapters. That novel will be released by Random House/Ballantine in April 2026.

Please note that I do not edit sci-fi or fantasy novels. I love working hands-on with writers, so let's get your project moving!

Services
Fiction
Anthologies Contemporary Fiction Cozy Mysteries Historical Fiction Historical Mysteries Literary Fiction Thriller & Suspense
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs
Languages
English (UK) English (US)
Awards
  • San Francisco Library Laureate

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2002 — Present
Extensive experience with fiction and non-fiction. Plot/character collaborator and editor for mystery writer Anne Perry (her last fifteen books). Edited the memoir of National Book Award recipient Robb Forman Dew. Edited Is This Tomorrow, a novel of NY Times bestseller Caroline Leavitt. As a novelist, I understand the challenge of organizing scenes and developing plot and characters. As an anthologist. I created and edited seven, each one a collection of personal essays written by seasoned witers (Jane Smiley, Jeffrey Deaver, Joyce Maynard, Malachy McCourt, etc.). The Other Woman was an international bestseller.

Victoria has 13 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Sarah D.

Sarah D.

Mar, 2025

Pinned
Victoria was great to work with! She was very professional, working quickly and efficiently on my project. Victoria contacted me whenever something needed clarification and even waited patiently while I re-wrote one section. I appreciated all of her comments and corrections and hope to be a bet...
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Victoria Z.
It took no effort to be there for Sarah and to work with her. She was responsive, worked very hard, and the result was a thoroughly enjoyable and compelling novel.
Paul N.

Paul N.

Dec, 2024

Pinned
My experience working with Victoria was, without exaggeration, more enriching than a masterclass in creative writing. She taught me what MFAs often overlook: how to avoid overwriting, excessive descriptors, and distractions that pull readers away from the heart of the story. Her critiques are hon...
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Victoria Z.
The gratitude and respect are mutual! Paul is the dream client for any editor.
Thukten Y.

Thukten Y.

Sep, 2023

Pinned
In my protagonist's own words, "even though I lack good karma, I am fortunate" to have crossed paths with Victoria for this book. Her professionalism was truly outstanding. She wholeheartedly dedicated herself to the project, pouring in unwavering effort, often burning the midnight oil and persis...
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Victoria Z.
Thank you for the kind review. I enjoyed every step of this project, from learning so much about Buddhism and the Bhutan culture to working with you, a very creative man committed to the highest qu...
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Theresa F.

Theresa F.

Nov, 2025

Thank you, Victoria! Your feedback was helpful--and very speedy!
Gloria W.

Gloria W.

Aug, 2025

Victoria is thorough and reads the novel as a "whole." She has an opinion and you may or may not. agree with it but she gives you the reasons "why" or "why not". That in itself is useful. Nice changes for flow and idiom and diction. 5 stars

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Most recent contributions

How do you decide which projects to take on?

You might be surprised to know that the quality of writing and the story/character plots are sometimes secondary to my "read" of a writer's personality. I prefer working on a project that needs considerable work, and with a writer who's open to working with me, than a brilliantly written book and...
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What factors do you take into account when setting your editing rates?

I always check length first. The next step is to read the first few pages. How does the author use language? Is there consistency re: verb tenses? Is the POV (point of view) clear? And one more important issue: how does the writer describe the work? If I'm told that it's a sure-to-be bestseller a...
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