Hi, I'm Vanessa!
I help writers and businesses say exactly what they mean.
I’m a writer, editor, and book indexer. I‘ve spent 25 years reporting, editing, and crafting content for print magazines, online publishers, and large and small businesses across the country.
My specialties are cookbooks, food and travel, memoir, and narrative nonfiction.
Whether your manuscript needs an outside perspective or your business needs a voice people trust, I make the words work.
from my blog
Good writing builds trust, sells ideas, and keeps people reading
Writing, Editing, Indexing Services
Prompt and Professional
We have been utilizing Vanessa’s services to help write and assemble the Department Newsletter for nearly a decade (as of 2014). She is prompt and professional in her dealings with subjects and her articles are well-written and insightful. Clearly, such a longstanding relationship illustrates our great satisfaction with Vanessa and her work.
University of Oregon, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Materials Science Institute
Excellent service and superior product
The story you wrote was excellent. It was a wide ranging subject with too many sources, and you handled it beautifully. Fantastic work on a difficult assignment. Excellent service and superior product.
— Clark Ricks, former editor of ICF Builder magazine
Terrific and Experienced Writer
A terrific and experienced writer and a good team player.
— Joan Aschim, Lane Community College Public Information Officer
Sharp Eye
I like both your input and your sharp eye (and your apparent enjoyment of this process)!
— Kevin Beck, Sciencing.com writer
The Greatest, a Dream
You are the Greatest, thank you!! I can’t begin to tell you how much you have helped me! I have asked for proof readings from everyone I know and no one caught the misspelling on the final label. I could feel it needed some editing in phrasing but just couldn’t put my finger on it. You are a Dream!
— Pharoah Skinner
I couldn’t have asked for a better experience
Vanessa edited my first cookbook, and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. She was professional, flexible, and ready to dive in from the start. As a first-time cookbook author, I made plenty of mistakes, but she caught them early and guided me through the process with clarity and expertise. She identified countless issues I would have completely missed on my own. Working with her as both an editor AND an indexer was a significant advantage. Her rates are fair, and she’s an absolute pleasure to collaborate with.
— Ashley Russell, author of What’s Cooking Good Looking (An edible memoir inspired by her Grandma)
Sharp Eye And Great Suggestions
Vanessa did a quick turnaround when proofreading my book and caught many little mistakes my eyes were too tired to see. She also had a sharp eye and great suggestions for improving my business website. I look forward to working with her in the future and recommend other authors do the same.
— Sara Roahen, author of How to Begin Writing Your Life Stories: Putting Memories On The Page, Gumbo Tales: Finding My Place at the New Orleans Table, and co-editor of The Southern Foodways Alliance Community Cookbook
Cost for investment was worth every cent
Vanessa helped refine my story, providing clear direction where it wandered too far off course and helping with pacing, character development, etc. She was concise in her feedback, which proved essential in a project of this size and was something I was concerned about before starting. Overall, the story was greatly improved with her help, as was my writing in general. The cost for investment was worth every cent. She was pleasant to work with, quick to respond when I reached out, and prompt in her delivery of services. I hope to work with her again and will be recommending her to others.
— A.R. Conner
Will improve my story in every way
I’m very impressed. You seem to have addressed many of the sticking points that I noticed myself. Thanks so much. I feel certain that it will improve my story in every way.
— Linda Carradine
Thoughtful, meaningful feedback
When I needed an editor for my children’s book series, Vanessa was the first person who came to mind. She offers thoughtful, meaningful feedback to maintain and enhance an author’s voice, while also providing useful insight on how to make a book marketable. As I continue to create, I will always look to Vanessa for unbiased, quality advice on my writing.
— Jessi West
Interesting and informative with an engaging style
I really enjoy Vanessa’s stories. Just very interesting and informative with an engaging style, and ability to make contact with credible sources. I also appreciate her willingness to tackle any subject, as well as suggest her own story ideas. I appreciate our professional relationship and the stories we’ve told through words and pictures.
Michelle Te, Editor
Northwest Boomer and Senior News (rebranded as Northwest 50+)
Vanessa is detail-oriented, able to meet deadlines, professional
Coming on as editor of Eugene Magazine, I was delighted that, as the former editor of the quarterly publication, Vanessa Salvia was interested in maintaining a freelance relationship with us. In my time with her, we have asked Vanessa to tackle a variety of topics, ranging from beekeeping to restaurant reviews. Vanessa is detail-oriented, able to meet deadlines, professional, and I know a story is in good hands when assigned to her.
Amanda Bedortha, Editor
Eugene Magazine
A key contributor in A web marketing division of our business
Vanessa Salvia has worked for HEROweb in a variety of capacities over the years. Vanessa excelled for us in both journalistic and technical writing. She has a very friendly writing style and was able to take technically complex topics and present them in a simple and straightforward fashion. She was also a key contributor in the web marketing division of our business, where she was able to acquire a range of skills related to search marketing and social media and very capably assist our customers with their marketing campaigns. I highly recommend Vanessa as a writer, editor, and social media communicator. She approaches her work with care and integrity and knows what it takes to get project done on time.
Michael Stearns, Owner and CEO,
HEROweb
Vanessa is our go-to writer for professional, well-written copy
Vanessa is our go-to writer for professional, well-written copy. She almost always turns in her stories ahead of deadline, even on short notice. It’s a comfort and a pleasure to me to have her write for the Register-Guard’s Special Publications Department
Kelly Fenley, Writer and Editor,
Special Publications for Register-Guard
Vanessa is always on time, thorough and ethical in her work
Vanessa Salvia is a longtime freelancer for Eugene Weekly, an alternative newsweekly with a print circulation of 40,000 readers. Vanessa is always on time, thorough and ethical in her work and easy to work with during the editing process, all attributes that make her editors very happy. Her pieces are bright, fun and engaging for our readers, and she’s always willing to take on a story.
Camilla Mortensen, Editor
Eugene Weekly
She is prompt and professional
We have been utilizing Vanessa’s services to help write and assemble the Department Newsletter for nearly a decade (as of 2014). She is prompt and professional in her dealings with subjects and her articles are well-written and insightful. Clearly, such a longstanding relationship illustrates our great satisfaction with Vanessa and her work.
Mike Haley, Richard M. & Patricia H. Noyes Professor
University of Oregon Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Materials Science Institute
A gifted writer, she is also a consummate professional
Vanessa Salvia is a rare prize. A gifted writer, she is also a consummate professional: prompt, friendly, reliable, and as open to input as she is willing to share her own thoughts and good ideas. As a niche publisher, I’m happy to say Vanessa is a team’s dream: she fits in, gets to work, and adds value to any endeavor she is a part of.
Jennifer McCammon, Editor and Publisher
SPOT Magazine
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