What People Have to Say About Us

It’s important to know what other client’s experiences have been so you know you’re working with the right people. Below are a few thoughts shared with us over the years by people who have worked with us on a wide variety of projects.

I’ve been working with Victoria as I write my first book and it has been a valuable, informative and incredibly supportive experience. From the beginning, Victoria was helping me to understand how to find my authentic voice, and how to express my feelings in a way that engages readers. She has helped me improve in this dimension and is still showing me how to continue making solid progress.

She has also helped me weave main themes or threads into my story, which is a memoir, that will enable me to transfer knowledge and wisdom gained from the journey I am writing about. Whenever she speaks with me, she is patient, gentle, allows me the space to fumble around as I attempt to grock her ideas and always encouraging.

One thing about Victoria and Nicci that really stands out is their relentless conviction to my project. Their continued interest and kindness has helped me build my self-esteem as a writer and even when I’m late in delivering chapters to them, they never chastise me. They have been so supportive of my work and have always encouraged me to believe that I have a story that is worth telling, especially when I forget this.

When I eventually publish my work, I’m hoping that Victoria and Nicci will be the first people I celebrate with as they really deserve that and much more besides.

—Ray, 2021

Victoria and Nicci have been working with me over the past year on my first novel. Their expertise as editors has made the journey easier than I expected, and their knowledge of the lesfic market has been extremely useful. I have found their advice and guidance to be invaluable on my road to becoming a better writer.

I booked onto the writing retreat in October with mixed feelings, but found the whole week to be an amazing learning experience as well as meeting some lovely people. The week was well structured, with intensive learning sessions, time to write and put the learning into practice and constructive feedback sessions.

As well as being extremely good at what they do, Victoria and Nicci are friendly, encouraging and very inclusive. I would recommend their services and events to anyone who wants to improve their writing.

–Fiona W., 2021

I had published ten books before I attended the Global Wordsmiths writing retreats, and boy I wish I’d discovered them before I started writing. I had very high expectations and was hungry to learn how to improve my craft. Those expectations were blown away in the first day. Not only were these retreats a great place to create the space to write and ask questions, I was spoiled with fine food and even an early morning exercise routine (optional).

The settings were idyllic, being set in a tranquil British countryside location (courtesy of Covid). I started these retreats as a storyteller and came away as a budding writer. Whether you’re looking for a place to learn or refresh your craft, or simply a beautiful space with people who care about supporting your writing, the WOW retreats are the place to go. Highly recommended.

–Emma Nichols, 2021

As an already successful author, handing my work to an editor came with a great deal of trepidation. I wasn’t trusting my editor with my work, I was trusting her with my life. She could change my voice. She might hate my stories and the fact that I like to break rules. What would my readership, who love what I write, think? But I wanted to improve my craft, to make my stories shine brighter, and the only way to achieve that was through a hard arsed, honest editing process. I found that and more working with Nicci Robinson.

Yes, going though the process is tough, especially that first cut which sometimes makes my heart bleed, but I wanted to improve my writing skills. Four books into this process, and the difference has been mind-blowing. I have retained my voice. I break the right rules at the right time (well almost always) and my readership is expanding. I have no hesitation in recommending Nicci’s services to any author who wishes to learn their craft and create a bigger impact on the pages of their manuscript.

–Emma Nichols, 2021

A professional yet caring and nurturing approach to everything they do. As on my previous retreat this was a wonderful, safe space in which to learn more about the craft of writing.

The care and attention of both Victoria and Nicci to each individual is exceptional and encouraging. They explain in ways that enable you to understand, then use examples and encourage you to produce your own work. It is all done in an atmosphere of fun and I have to admit to laughing for most of the week.

There is daily exercise for those that fancy a little shake up, and a lie in for those who don’t. The food is both wide-ranging and excellent and caters for everyone’s tastes. Much thought goes into selecting places to stay that will allow both quiet spaces and social hubs.

Did I say I was going on the next one, and the next one ….

–Valden Bush 2020

I was excited and nervous about coming along to the retreat. It’s the first time I’ve ever done something like this, and I’m so glad I took the leap and did it. Nicci and Victoria were perfect hosts who made sure everyone was comfortable and included.
The accommodation was lovely, with plenty of room for working and socialising.
The morning workshops were a good mix of teaching and practical writing tasks, with a clear ‘homework’ task to complete each afternoon before the daily feedback session.
Overall, I’ve had a wonderful week, I honestly didn’t want to leave.

~ Emma W. 2020

If you are looking for a personal touch to getting your book published, look no further. This is a team that will do their very best to give you the best result. I have had three book published this year, two with other publishers. Would I go back to them for my next book? No.

Would I ask Global Wordsmiths to do it? You bet. What are you waiting for, give them a try?

–-John Parsons, author of Grandad’s Camper Van

I’ve worked with many editors over my 25 year career and I have to say, working with Victoria has been the absolute best experience I’ve had. Mind you, I’ve published six books with much editorial input. And Victoria worked on my favorite book, Descending Thirds, which I’ve written over the past 15 years, using upwards of ten editors on this book alone.

It’s a very complex novel, and I asked Victora when we started working it if I should change the book’s structure entirely. She was happy to dig in and do the hard work to investigate this change and then gave me much needed guidance on the structure that best served the novel. Further, she went through multiple drafts over a 2 1/2 year period where I had to stop and go due to my film projects.

No matter where we were in the process, Victoria delivered and then some. I can honestly say her last pass, which was a pretty steep clean-up, Victoria took the time and effort to create spacing in the book that makes it appear as if it’s already a published book. She not only provided editorial services on the book, but helped me on the synopsis and query letter–two things I dreaded attacking. With her help it was an exciting and fulfilling process.

Her attention to detail, professionalism, her absolute grasp of grammar (which I’m terrible at) and her global story telling abilities brought together a manuscript I am so very proud of. I cannot recommend Victoria highly enough. She’s not only extremely talented, she’s every writer’s very best friend. She takes great pains to steer you in the right direction without ever making you feel as if you don’t know what you’re doing.

For anyone who seeks a firm but gentle hand, Victoria is one of the nicest and most personable editors a writer will ever work with.

–Nicole Conn (A Perfect Ending, Elena Undone, Claire of the Moon. Director, More Beautiful for Having Been Broken.)

I just wanted to thank you for all your help with my book. It’s crazy looking at it on Amazon! I can’t believe how much I managed to transform it with your help and I’m really pleased with how it turned out in the end.

~Amelia Thorpe, author of Breakdown Blonde

Loved my feedback session! I’m always wanting feedback, good or bad, as I feel it the most helpful part of a course. Victoria and Nicci are a well of information.  ~Morven

Vic and Nic’s teaching approach suits the way I learn. Non-threatening, sensitive to individuals within the group and professional. Would recommend and repeat this and similar courses. ~Wendy

The #1 thing was the quality of the teaching. The teaching was extremely skilful. ~Jan

Their teaching approach was very warm and open. I always felt comfortable sharing ideas and reading work, which isn’t always the case in a writing group. The course felt flexible, so that if another topic arises, more time can be spent on it. Would definitely recommend the course and would love to continue to learn more from Victoria and Nicci. The course has been a great help. ~Natalie

I took part in Victoria’s six week memoir writing workshops at the Nottingham Women’s centre earlier this year because I wanted to develop new skills in creative writing and to be able to communicate more effectively.  I was new to memoir writing.  I haven’t tried to write anything like this since my school days. Victoria helped me to understand how to bring a faded memory to life through expressive and descriptive writing. I loved working in a group of all women.  I feel that Victoria led the group really well, which helped me to gain confidence in exploring forgotten feelings and suppressed emotions. Since writing my memoir I’ve become more self-aware and I’ve have been able to continue with my creative journey, with a greater sense of conviction.  ~Clare Barton.

During my time with Victoria I found that her warmth and deep interest in people gave me and my fellow explorers the courage to share parts of our lives gifted usually to the most trusted of friends.  She captured my story with seemingly effortless ease and care, the result of which was a few minutes in the public eye that were significant to me in so many ways.  I thank her for all her help and support. ~Roy

It was an immense privilege to take Victoria Villaseñor’s four-week course in Memoir Writing at the Nottingham Writers’ Studio last autumn. For several years, I have wanted to write a memoir about my childhood in Brooklyn, New York, but I felt very unsure about how to go about it – where to begin, what to put in, what to leave out, how to structure my writing… I had many more questions than answers, and very little confidence about moving forward. Right from the start, Victoria helped me (and all of us in the class) understand what memoir writing is (and isn’t). With Victoria’s guidance, I wrote a piece that I felt I could build on. Her feedback helped me develop it further, and her encouragement helped me believe that I am actually capable of writing a memoir. I am now building on what I wrote in Victoria’s class, and on my way to writing a full-length memoir – an amazing journey that I would not have been able to begin without Victoria’s guidance and encouragement. She has been a true inspiration. ~Ronne

I have now written 2 memoirs that have been published, and that is thanks to the amazing team at Global Wordsmiths. Writing with Global Wordsmiths couldn’t be easier, the team is amazing, supportive and will help with anything, no matter how big or small. I would highly recommend authors to contact Global Wordsmiths if they need any help with their writing or to get published! –Robert Brookes

I attended Victoria’s writing workshop after my first novel was published. I was more than halfway into my second novel, but was struggling with structure. After the workshop I completely reworked the manuscript based on what I’d learned. The novel, The Time Before Now, ended up being one of The Lesbian Reviews top 10 books of 2016. Victoria’s seminar helped my gain a sharper understanding of the infrastructure required for crafting a strong story. I highly recommend it. ~Missouri Vaun, author of 18 novels