‘Michelle is one of Northern Ireland’s most experienced and accomplished editors and we place work with her regularly and without hesitation. She has an excellent and sustained track-record of completing work to the highest standard for us. Whether she is assessing and developing manuscripts, doing substantive or line by line editing, catching legal issues or other sensitivities, or sourcing illustrations and clearing permissions, she does a first-class class job. She is experienced across a whole range of genres – memoir, fiction, history, politics – and has worked on heavily illustrated books, meaning that she has just as keen an eye when it comes to design and layout issues as she does in editorial matters. Her in-house experience means that she understands the publishing process from beginning to end and she quickly grasps a set brief and works to it, gives appropriate updates on progress (flagging issues as necessary), and always provides thorough and helpful handover documents. I recommend Michelle without hesitation to authors and publishers; she has been a valuable asset to Blackstaff and to me in my work as managing editor.’
Patsy Horton, managing editor, Blackstaff Press

‘Michelle Griffin was a key member of the editorial team for ‘Girls Who Slay Monsters’ and her work was exceptional throughout the project. She carefully considered the big picture of each story within her process, and had a keen eye for detail. Booksellers, authors, and readers of all ages have praised the prose in this book, and Michelle’s work has undoubtedly contributed to this.’
Ellen Ryan, Girls Who Slay Monsters (HarperCollins 2022) – Winner of the An Post Children’s Book of the Year, 2022 

‘It was a pleasure to work with you. Thank you for your assiduous attention to detail, your kindness and care, your knowledge of English … everything.’
Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, ‘Selected Stories’ (Blackstaff Press, 2023)

‘Michelle Griffin was the copyeditor on my novel ‘Mrs Hart’s Marriage Bureau’, and I was overwhelmed by her attention to detail, professionalism and sensitivity. She ‘got’ the tone of the novel brilliantly, and all her comments showed a very finely-tuned ability to get the best out of the text. This is my ninth novel, so I have worked with many editors, but with Michelle I knew I was in expert hands from the moment I saw her report. Her detailed timelines and character lists helped me to keep track of dates and events, and have even helped me as I embark on writing the sequel. Working with Michelle was one of my most positive editorial experiences in a long career. I very much hope to work with her again and recommend her very warmly indeed.’
Sheena Wilkinson, Mrs Harts Marriage Bureau (HarperCollins, 2023)

‘Michelle Griffin was the copyeditor for my debut novel. Her work was scrupulous and thorough. She really engaged with the overall direction of the manuscript whilst maintaining a meticulous approach to the details. Although the  narrative voice in ‘The Deadwood Encore’ is idiosyncratic and colloquial, Michelle took this in her stride. This is indicative of her commitment to a collaborative approach. I have no doubt her work strengthened and improved my manuscript. I hope any future writing I produce would be subjected to the level of professionalism and care Michelle gave to this book. She also brings a positive engagement and energy to her work which made this part of the process very enjoyable. Her work gave me an extra level of confidence sending my story out into the world. My experience of this process would make me happy to recommend Michelle for copyediting work.’
Kathleen Murray, The Deadwood Encore (HarperCollins, 2022)

‘The relationship between editor and author has the potential to generate depression, anxiety and lots of sleepless nights. This was not the case with Michelle, her professionalism and meticulous approach was balanced by a generosity of spirit and the ability to extract my literary best as we edited our way through my manuscripts.’
Tom Hartley, Lord Mayor of Belfast, 2008–09 (Written in Stone series, Blackstaff Press)

‘Michelle Griffin is one of the very best. She is scrupulous, sensitive and gifted. The book she worked on required not only a special editor but a special person, such were the sensitivities involved. And, while being meticulous about what the book needed, she was never anything other than keenly, instinctively alert to the human beings concerned.’
Damian Gorman, So Young (Blackstaff Press, 2022)

‘Michelle is an excellent and dedicated editor and I believe her editing input substantially improved my manuscript. The vast majority of changes that she suggested I make were eventually incorporated into the finished text. Now, when I read the book, I am really glad those changes were made. She struck the right balance between improving the narrative while remaining focused on the deadline. She was meticulous and thorough and I found working with Michelle enjoyable and hugely beneficial. Apart from being personable, she is forthright, honest and committed. I cannot recommend her highly enough.’
Kevin Doyle, A River of Bodies (Blackstaff Press, 2019)