About Me

Looking for a writing coach? Someone to help you write a book? Need professional editing and proofreading services? I do it all!

Things helpful to know about me …

There are few things I love more than helping writers in the craft of fiction. Storytelling is a passion for me, and if I can inspire you to get passionate about the stories you long to tell—and help you gain the skills to creatively bring your vision to life—I’ve done my job!

While I live in California, between San Francisco and gorgeous Lake Tahoe, I work with writers in six continents. In fact, I’ve edited and critiqued manuscripts for more than 1,000 writers around the world, and I’ve taught fiction writing to more than 5,000 writers online via master classes, Zoom critique sessions, and my online school (Writing for Life Workshops).

I do more than 200 manuscript critiques a year. I’ve been doing this for about 18 years now. I have a lot of insight and experience to bring to your manuscript, and since I write in many genres (and read widely as well), I can help you nail genre, which is crucial in today’s publishing market. Oh, and I’ve written and published more than 30 books (fiction and nonfiction), some self-published and some published by traditional publishers.

C. S. Lakin, writing coach, professional copyeditor and proofreader.
Me and Coaltrane

One of my favorite things to do is hold writing retreats in beautiful homes. Nearly every year for the last 8 years I’ve done various retreats in the South Lake Tahoe area. If you’re interested in immersing in a retreat, be sure to get on my mailing list so you can be notified when these retreats are scheduled (and my online master classes)!

Things I bet you don’t know about me …

I had a commercial pygmy goat farm for more than 10 years, and I’ve delivered about 100 baby goats. They are probably the cutest animals on earth—just sayin’… I love the outdoors and have done a lot of backpacking, scuba diving, and snowboarding (yes, even in my “older” age). I love dogs and fostering/rescuing labs. 

I have two beautiful daughters and two wild and crazy grandkids. I’m attempting to master biblical Hebrew (why not?), and I just finished a master’s program in biblical and theological studies, which stretched me a lot. I am seriously addicted to chocolate (who isn’t?), and if I couldn’t do yoga four times a week, I would probably shrivel up and die (shout-out to The Yoga Dive in Grass Valley).

If you’d like me to teach or speak …

Are you interested in having me speak at your conference or online to a group of writers in your area? Just drop me a line! I’ve taught workshops and master classes at prestigious writers’ conferences and was the keynote speaker at the international writers’ conference in Dublin, Ireland (and I’ll be keynoting in Alaska in 2024!). I coordinated the fiction track at the San Francisco Writers’ Conference for many years and have set up and run critique groups at other conferences in California. I’ve participated in many online summits for writers.

I can design a tailored multiweek Zoom course or offer a single workshop for your writers’ group. My topics range from fiction-writing craft to marketing and promotion to editing. And if you want to pay me to come to your locale, I’m game! I love to travel. 

I also love engaging on podcasts, so invite me on! 

What My Clients Say About My Services

“Susanne is more than an editor; she cares about your book as if it were her own. As a first-time author, I appreciated Susanne’s help, which was essential to me publishing a quality book.  I simply can’t thank her enough. My book went on to win first place in the 2015 Feathered Quill Book Awards!”
— W. Lawrence
“Susanne made the difference between my being unpublished and moving on to publication. Within months after her stellar edits, a publisher sent me a contract for my Middle Grade novel, and now my first book has been published. Thank you, Susanne, for making my dream come true.”
— Jeanne Williams
“Susanne’s advice whipped my writing into perfect shape and I wouldn’t hesitate a moment to recommend her. Not only is she brilliant at her work, but she is also kind, caring, and enthusiastic. She has motivated me to produce the best work possible, and this has made me realize that rewriting isn’t as daunting as it seems. Thank you, Susanne!”
— Jessica Bell
Award-winning author and poet
“Susanne Lakin performed CPR on my novella and brought it back to life with incredible skill. Worth every penny! I intend to use her for my next project too. Thanks, Susanne!”
— Renee Yancey
Historical fiction author
“Susanne’s dedication, care, and attention to detail pushed me to revisit my work with new insight. I was able to delve deeply into my soul and  create a memoir worthy of publication. Being associated with her was like touching gold, and under her guidance I grew from an aspiring writer to an author. My success is due to Susanne, and I am forever grateful.”
— C. C. Gross
Author of Rising Up from a Long Way Down
“I highly recommend Susanne Lakin’s services. As a new author, after reading her edited version of my book, I went from reluctant excitement about publishing, to fully charged excitement. Thank you, Susanne, for your expertise and the extra boost of confidence.”
— Jamie Hope
“Working with Susanne has been fabulous. She has a wonderful sense of what works and what doesn’t without moving away from the heart of the story. I am thrilled with the job she has done on my current work in progress, and I no longer have to stress about how my book is going to turn out. I have a great editor to take all the hassle out of the process! I am so excited to have found her. Thanks, Susanne–you are a blessing!”
— Elena Dillon
Award-winning YA suspense author
“Susanne Lakin has both the heart and skills that make her an exceptional editor and coach. I was dead in the water with my manuscript–unsure where to find the help I needed to move forward–until I discovered Susanne. She became the wind in my sails, and I’m thrilled to say I’m now ready to publish!”
— Rod Smith
“If you want to look at your manuscript through a totally new perspective and really see what works and what does not, then I cannot recommend Susanne Lakin’s editorial services enough!”
— Brannon Hollingsworth
“Susanne’s insight and eye for detail have, on numerous occasions, taken my manuscripts from mediocre to good, from good to better, from better to my personal best. She offers both honesty and encouragement, and acts as a cheerleader for her clients—urging them on to excellence.”
— Renee Brumbaugh
Publisher and author
“Susanne’s critique service is really top-notch. I love the fast but thorough work that she does every single time. My book she critiqued called I Won’t Cry hit three best-seller lists right away, and I could not have done it without her.”
— Shaquanda Dalton
Author, I Won’t Cry
“Susanne is a writer with a wonderful imagination and also a gifted copyeditor, able to point out a wide range of necessary improvements in manuscripts while remaining completely positive and encouraging. A great writing mentor!”
— Grace Bridges
Publisher, Author, Faith Awakened
“Susanne is always accessible and eager to help. With years of writing experience and several books already tucked into the completed file, she comes at the craft of writing with a tool belt full of knowledge and creativity. She tackles editing with the heart of a mentor. One aspect I especially appreciate in the help I’ve received from Susanne is her dedication, which translates into always finishing the job. I would highly recommend her.”
—Catherine Leggitt
Author, Payne and Misery
“Susanne was terrific to work with! She is a wonderful editor who caught my mistakes, smoothed out my writing, and made my final product much better. I really appreciated her prompt replies to my questions and her clear, thorough explanations of suggested changes to my manuscript. I would highly recommend Susanne for a great editing experience and for a final product you will be proud of.”
— John Claeys
Author, Apocalypse 2012
“Susanne doesn’t change the mood of your work, she smooths out the wrinkles. She taught me things to spice up and improve my style. Her help resulted in my first novel winning the CSP Book of the Year 2010 Award for fiction. The publisher could not have made a better choice.”
— Pola Muzyka
Author, Abducted to Kill

Ready to take a leap with your writing?

Let me know how I can help!

My own unique methods…

I hadn’t meant to write a dozen or so nonfiction books on writing craft and productivity, but I had to. Over the years I’ve seen way too many aspiring writers struggle with the craft and their writing life. So in addition to sharing more than a million words on my instructive blog, I decided to do what I could to make writing books as easy and clear as possible.

And while there are lots of books on how to write a novel, I have my own methods. Over the last thirty years, I’ve learned what works and what doesn’t work for me and for other writers. I want to help save writers time and aggravation by providing blueprints that lay out a clear framework for structuring novels. Check out the books in the Writer’s Toolbox series below.

Watch and learn about some of the important elements that go into crafting the perfect scene!

The Writer’s Toolbox Series

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