EMAIL: ssherman@​sonic.net

BLOGSITE
Treasures of the Day: Seeing the Extraordinary in the Ordinary

treasuresoftheday.wordpress.com


MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 1121
Sebastopol, CA 95473

THE BUZZ ABOUT SUZANNE

Suzanne is a wordsmith extraordinaire! She took my idea for a book and expertly guided it into a saleable proposal. She made me think about what I was trying to say and then helped me to articulate the book’s essence in the most comprehensive and professional manner. Most important, Suzanne challenged me to make my material relevant to publishers and relatable to readers. I highly recommend Suzanne to anyone who needs a book writing partner, editor, or proposal writer. She is a gem!
— Robin Fisher Roffer (The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You're the Only One Like You; Make a Name for Yourself)


I have been and continue to be very impressed with every aspect of Suzanne; her professional integrity is impeccable, her skills in making my words become a book, in helping me excavate deeper into what I am trying to say, are just the beginning of the list of accolades.
— Caroline Muir (Tantra Goddess: A Memoir of Sexual Awakening - Dec 2011)

Working with Suzanne taught me the true meaning of revision: genuinely re-envisioning your project. With her help, I’ve been able to reshape my work in a more coherent and smart way. Suzanne holds back no effort when it comes to making your project better. She’s honest, sharp and humane. My memoir and I both thank her! — Allison Landa

I would like to sing my praises for Suzanne Sherman, and I can: she didn't take my voice away. Suzanne took my work and before she made any changes, she found my voice. Then, instead of changing it, like a fine instrument, she tuned it. I will always be grateful for her assistance and look forward to working with her in the future. — Judy Ebner, Author

Suzanne has been my editor for over a year. She was able to consider my material for its weaknesses and strengths and find a way to help me define the story and refine what was included in it to make it a compelling read. I have always found Suzanne to work efficiently and deliver her work according to schedule. I would work with her again. — Kevin Kearney, Author

Suzanne edited my recently completed memoir. She brought insight and skill to this challenging work and was instrumental in making a significant improvement in the book. The book is now in the hands of an agent. Suzanne offered her suggestions in a professional and sensitive manner, demonstrating her ability as both teacher and mentor.
— Dr. Allan Lewis

Ms. Sherman continues to amaze me with her editorial and writing skills and her ability to cut through the fog of excess verbiage. Her unique sensitivity also contributes to the self-esteem of her students, expanding and deepening their work. In my opinion, it would be hard to find a writer-teacher of the caliber of Ms. Sherman given her intelligence, kindness, honesty, and penetrating understanding of the art and craft of writing.
— Sharon Moxley

I met Suzanne Sherman at a writing conference, where she was teaching a memoir class. I sent her 180,000 words; we worked hard and cut it down to 119,000. Her support was invaluable. Suzanne is prompt, reliable, caring, and she sure knows her stuff.
— Barbara Ann Manning

Suzanne has been a great help instructing and inspiring me to write with greater clarity and style. She easily built a high level of trust within the writing group, allowing us to share some very personal stories.
— Art Jewett

When I began working with Suzanne, I had no idea how much I would learn about writing and about my mother’s life. I never imagined I would enjoy the craft itself as much as I did.
— Barbara Somerville

Since working with Suzanne my characters have come to life. I have gained the courage to write in new and exciting styles.
— Ron Harding

I took the personal essay course from Suzanne at UC Extension and online. The result was that one of my essays was published in the San Jose Mercury News. My short essays are now more focused, interesting, and complete.
— Candace Hardy

EDITOR • CONSULTANT • TEACHER • COACH


My passion is writing and helping others find their way with words. With my help, new writers have become published writers, and published writers have written new books.

In the last 30 years, I have been an editor for book publishers (Chronicle Books, Ten Speed Press, Ortho Books, Bay Books), for Women's Sports & Fitness magazine, and privately. Recent clients have included Robin Fisher Roffer (The Fearless Fish Out of Water: How to Succeed When You’re the Only One Like You), Caroline Muir, (Tantra Goddess: A Memoir of Sexual Awakening; pub date Dec 2011), Keith Dorney (Black and Honolulu Blue: In the Trenches of the NFL), Leo Kim (Healing the Rift: Bridging the Gap Between Science and Spirituality). Some clients hire me to help develop their book, some are looking for a good editor to help refine their work and secure a literary agent.

Since 1996 I have taught memoir at Santa Rosa Junior College, University of California Extension and Southern Oregon University and online, at Rogue Community College, Story Circle Network. I have been a featured speaker in memoir at the East of Eden Writer's Conference in Salinas, California and at Redwood Writer's Club. My short memoir has appeared in national publications and literary journals, including The Sun (www.thesunmagazine.org). See FEBRUARY 2011 and JANUARY 2012 "Reader's Write."

I have a BA in Creative Writing from the University of California and have studied writing in the MFA program at San Francisco State University. Other writing coursework includes screenwriting and script analysis at UCLA prior to working for HBO Pictures in Los Angeles, and writing courses at University of Iowa, Squaw Valley Writer's Program, and Stanford University.


CLASSES

MEMOIR CLASS
Santa Rosa Junior College (Sebastopol Senior Center) CLOSED Sign-ups for waiting list are being taken by email.
MEMOIR WORKSHOP
Thursdays, 12:30 - 3:00 pm /Jan - March • Learn the craft of memoir while you get feedback on your writing. CLOSED. EMAIL to sign up for future workshops