My name is Gracie DeSantis. I am passionate about culture and the stories that build us. My love for writing began at age six with a story about a talking grape, and, since then, I have worked tirelessly to pursue writing and editing.
I graduated magna cum laude from Christopher Newport University’s Honors Program with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and a concentration in writing. My degree was deemed “with distinction” due to my involvement with the writing and English community at Christopher Newport. I served as Editor-in-Chief of the literary magazine, Currents, and Vice President of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society. I was president of the Writer’s Syndicate of CNU where I acted as a peer mentor for aspiring authors. Each year, I presented my short fiction, poetry, and literary criticism at the Paideia Humanities Conference.
While at CNU, I also worked with the marketing team of Morgan James Publishing to help authors bring their books to passionate readers.
After graduation, a one-way ticket brought me from Virginia to New York City where I took graduate courses with New York University’s prestigious publishing program and received a scholarship from the School of Professional Studies publishing center. With NYU, I studied book publishing, magazine media, marketing and branding, publishing and internet law, and multimedia financial analysis. I received high praises of my skills and excitement for my future from all of my professors who are professionals in the industry.
While in New York, I could be found on the corner of Wall Street and Broadway with the Peter Lang Academic Publishing Group. There, I supported the acquisitions editors with the peer review process and manuscript vetting.
I have since returned to my home town of Richmond, Virginia and have started on a mission to help authors achieve their dream of publication as an independent editor and writing coach. I provide a wide range of services to serve any kind of writing.
Check out my editing page to learn more! I also write Gracie’s Desk, a creative writing tutorial which can also be found on this site, and am a member of James River Writers, a writing community here in RVA.
If you are local, please feel free to contact me. I’d love to get a coffee sometime to discuss your project!
I also currently work as a copy and content strategist for The Zest Lab, a marketing agency in Richmond, Virginia. My creative can be found in major publications like Wine Enthusiast, HGTV Magazine, GQ, Vogue, and The New York Times.
Within & Without 