To Italicize or Not to Italicize? A Rule of Thumb

“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 of Faith Awakened

"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, author of Breathe

“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 of Apocalypse 2012

“Susanne doesn't change the mood of your work, she smoothes 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 of Escaping the Hezbollah

“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 of Payne and Misery

“Without Susanne Lakin's expert editing, expertise on how a book should be put together, and her special literary insights, I would not have my newest novel, Love, Sometimes, with an agent and a film option, and now sold to Simon and Schuster for publication. I can’t wait to give her the rest of my books. Not only is she a great writer, but she's a rare combination, also knowing how to edit.” — Barbara Rose Brooker, author of The Viagra Diaries

“I used Susanne's editing services for my book, A Carpenter's View of the Bible, and was very happy with her work. She was extremely thorough and considerate of maintaining my textual ‘voice’ while pushing for clarity. I look forward to hiring her again for the book's second edition.” — Charlie March, author of A Carpenter's View of the Bible

“When looking at a manuscript, Susanne has an excellent grasp of concept and theme. She gives informative suggestions to enhance the development of characters, and when assisting with the flow of their thoughts and dialogue is able to speak through punctuation. She is dependable and has integrity. I highly recommend Susanne Lakin as an editor.” — Culpepper Webb, author of Lifted from the Waters

"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, author of Holy Libido

“Susanne is a terrific editor who treated me more like a friend than a client. She is talented, thorough and returns work on time. More than this, she is sympathetic to both writer and reader. For the sake of your readers she'll point out your mistakes and bad habits. For your sake she'll do it gently.” — Daniel Schwabauer, author of Runt the Brave and The Curse of the Seer

“I was just a writer before working with Susanne Lakin—she made me an author. Her developmental suggestions made all the difference in my book. She’s fast and fair, and easy to work with.” — Cathy Fiorelli, author of Al Capone Had a Lovely Mother

“After a thorough search, and following numerous editing samples, I selected Susanne to edit my first novel. I could not have been more thrilled with her expertise, coaching, and attention to detail. She is the quintessential editor!” — Randolph Kay, Author of Will's Purpose

“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.” — Renae Brumbaugh, author of Filling Up My Lap

"Susanne's editorial skills were amazing, not only is she fast but also very accurate as she had been able pick out the numerous needles in the haystack in a record time without missing any. The best thing about working with her is that I believe the story and the 'voice' are noticably improved without being changed much." — Betsy Cheung, author of 2018

“Susanne made a ton of comments and suggestions on my manuscript, giving me much to think about, and in the end, a better book. She really knows how to push you to make your writing stronger and to get it to the place it needs to be. I would highly recommend her.” — Sandi Greene, author of If I Let You Go

“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, author of Skein of Shadows

“Susanne's editing helped me to see many of my repeated mistakes. Not only did she edit my first book but she helped to make my book proposal the best it could be. She is thorough and turns the work around in a timely fashion. She is friendly and courteous making me feel like I have gained a friend.” — Deb Blough, author of How Sovereign Is Your God?

“Here's an editor who understands how to delve into your story and really polish it to its full potential. She has an amazing ability to really get into your story and understand your characters, making your relationship with her much stronger for a process that can be extremely rough for a writer.” — Anne Michelle, author of Elite

“I hired Susanne for a content and copy edit and from her initial comments it was evident she displayed a genuine interest in my project. Her remarks were on target and her response time was prompt. She provided clear instruction for me to add the missing components and end up with a polished manuscript. Susanne’s deep passion for writing gives her great insight into storyline and character development.” — Barbara Majchrzak, author of Seeds of Salton

"Susanne is a pleasure to work with and professional in every aspect. Her expertise can help you take a rough draft and transform it into a manuscript you are proud to present. Her editing skills and detailed critiques were invaluable." — Earl Hardy, author of The Man Who Loved Cats

“I can’t thank Susanne enough for her insight and advice as an editor and writing coach. Working with her on my book was a joy. God has truly gifted her, and I highly recommend her expertise.” — Perry Perret, author of Twisted Wolf

“Susanne was a blessing in disguise. Her patience and knowledge helped fine-tune and teach me better writing skills. The payoff resulted in ongoing YA books being accepted for publication.” — Nick G. Giannaras, author of The Relics of Nanthara

“I found Susanne’s work meticulous, thorough, and very encouraging. The changes she suggested worked well enough for me that I revised my opening chapters and have a better story because of it!” — Dee Smith, author of Children of the Light

“Susanne was recommended to me by a friend that only spoke highly of her, which made me want to hire her to do the editing for my novel. Susanne lived up to the praises given to her by my friend. She was honest and gave clear feedback regarding my work, which I really appreciated. She worked in a very timely manner, which I was very impressed with. I would definitely, without hesitation, recommend Susanne to anyone looking for an editor.” — Khara Campbell, author of Not My Will but His

“Susanne did a great job editing my book Sifted As Wheat. She was skillful, professional, affordable, and timely in her delivery. She was also a huge encourager. I loved working with her.” — Rita Shulte, author of Sifted as Wheat

“Susanne has done editing work for me on my articles for a statewide paper column in Georgia. She is an excellent editor and a great person to have working with you.” — Jim Hollis, Executive Director at Proactive Ministries

“Susanne has been a kind friend and a good critic. Her feedback improved my story immensely. She is a talented and gifted writer.” — Stefanie Morris, author of Sir Beak and the Dragon

“Susanne's editing gave me an objective, blimp-over-the-parade view of my book. With an encouraging touch, she caught my bad habits and flubs. As a bonus, Susanne uses her extra-extrovert personality to brag on the writers she edits to her publishing contacts.” — Ann Lee Miller, author of Kicking Eternity

“Susanne’s encouraging yet insightful editing services were truly a critical aid in the transformation of my book rising from a mediocre product to one I could be proud of. It takes an author to teach an author, and it is easy to see during the process that Susanne is well versed in the realm of literature and what it takes to reach publication. I am ever thankful for Susanne’s passion to help me succeed and her treatment of my work as if it were her own.” — Blake A. Collins, author of Silver and the Secret of Troika

"A thousand thanks, to Susanne Lakin for her editing guidance and expertise. Writing is a private journey--best carried out wearing all-day pajamas with only the dog to offer feedback. When a writer tests the waters of outside readers, he or she must be very brave. Susanne uses her writer’s talent to take would-be authors beyond their solitary space and make them the best they can be." — Linda Merlino

"Susanne is a consummate editor. Her encouragement, corrections, and suggestions helped me to become a better writer." — Jerry Rasmussen, author of The Gate of Beautiful

"I have worked with other freelance editors; of them all Susanne was the best. Her feedback, attention to detail, and especially her critiques and suggestions brought new dimensions to my work that helped me improve my craft substantially. Thank you, Susanne." — James Knight