My name is Susanne Lakin (author name C. S. Lakin) and I’m the owner and facilitator of Critique My Manuscript. I do all the critiques that come through this website. However, I also have numerous experienced editors on hand to assist with your critique, all of whom are published authors of acclaim, writing in various genres. If another author/editor does contribute to your critique, I personally review it to make sure it has addressed all the necessary elements (for fiction, see “Elements Examined in a Fiction Critique“). I have written twelve novels, most of which are fantasy and contemporary fiction (relational dramas). I have contracted sales for eight of my novels with publishers in the last three years, and currently have five out as eBooks.
I bring over twenty years of expertise to my critique service, having had numerous agents for my various projects and been involved in various aspects of the publishing industry. I have also successfully connected many authors with agents and publishers due to my many connections within the publishing industry. And the most important element I bring to my service is my love for helping writers polish their stories. I put not just my time but my heart into every manuscript I dig into.
My editing and critiquing skills are specific to the book publishing industry. I have critiqued and edited for many “new” authors who have gone on to acquire a literary agent and book contracts. I love to help beginning writers hone their craft, and I share my wealth of knowledge freely. I believe writing well is something that can mostly be learned. My aim is to save writers years of frustration and failure due to poor training in the writing craft. Too many writers spend years fumbling through the process of trying to craft a novel or put together a nonfiction book, but I hone in on the basics and time-tested methods of structuring both novels and nonfiction books.
I put not just my time but my heart into each project with the aim of helping the author create the best book possible while respecting their individual style and voice. I also believe that the best person to critique or edit another writer’s book is an experience published author. Any copyeditor can find mistakes, but only a seasoned author who has had to rewrite, revise, and tear apart her own books can truly understand the need and value of a thoughtful and explicit critique. Very few copyeditors are published novelists, and although it’s not crucial your editor is a writer, it can help immensely–especially when looking at the big picture of your story and seeing what really needs to be done to hone it into shape.
I write under the name C. S. Lakin, and my books can be purchased online and in bookstores everywhere. I am a member of numerous editing and writing groups, I guest blog on editing and writing sites, and teach the writing craft at writers’ conferences around the country. I am a member of AWSA (Advanced Writer and Speaker Association) as well as CEN (Christian Editors Network), and am on “staff” with numerous small publishers as a critiquer and copyeditor. Read more at my author website and check out my blog for writers, Live Write Thrive, which has lots of great writing instruction and tips on industry trends.
