Susan DeFreitas

"One of 25 Oregon Writers Every Oregonian Must Read." -The Oregonian

My mission is to tell stories that matter and help others to do the same.

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Books

Dispatches from Anarres

A 2022 Foreword INDIES finalist!

Available via > Powell's > Bookshop > Indiebound > Amazon

A Powell's Staff Pick, recommended by the Oregonian.

"DeFreitas collects 31 impressive stories to honor Ursula K. Le Guin’s legacy.…Speculative fiction readers will find much to enjoy in this well-crafted celebration."
—Publishers Weekly

"This anthology lights many fires from the brightly burning torch of Le Guin's timeless science fiction."
—Meg Elison, author of The Book of the Unnamed Midwife

"Each story is its own magical offering to be scooped up and savored by readers."
—Annie Carl, bookseller, The Neverending Bookshop

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Editing & Coaching

With Laura Stanfill of Forest Avenue Press, publisher of Dispatches from Anarres

I serve socially engaged writers because I believe stories have the power to change the world—and because the challenges we face as a culture have never been bigger.

Praise:

“Susan is a genius, and as important, while she doesn’t pull punches, she’s kind—a calm, supportive presence on those days when it feels like all is lost." —Lisa Cron, author of Story Genius

"The queen of the big picture.”
—Ariel Gore, author of We Were Witches

“I’ve got a shelf full of craft books but none has ever made me feel as empowered and ready to write as one session with Susan." —Kristin Brown

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Blog

5 Signs You’re Ready to Pitch Your Work

August 17, 2023

What Character Arc Isn’t

August 3, 2023

About

An American of Indo-Guyanese descent, Susan DeFreitas is the author of the novel Hot Season, which won a Gold IPPY Award, and the editor of Dispatches from Anarres: Tales in Tribute to Ursula K. Le Guin, a finalist for the Foreword INDIES. Her work has been featured in the Writer’s Chronicle, LitHub, Story, Daily Science Fiction, Portland Monthly, and High Desert Journal, among other journals and anthologies. An independent editor and book coach, she specializes in helping writers from historically marginalized backgrounds, and those writing socially engaged fiction, break through into publishing. She divides her time between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Portland, Oregon.

Classes and Events

Join Susan in Salem, MA, from November 6-10, 2023, for the first Writer Unboxed UnConference in four years.

"Part symposium. Part interactive workshop. Part networking affair. Part retreat," this "UnConference" will help you advance your skills in the art of fiction and make meaningful connections with other writers.

Susan will be leading five sessions throughout the week: "Get Emotion on the Page in a Way Your Reader Can Feel," "Hone Your (Character’s) Voice," "Anatomy of the Novel: Create a Novel Blueprint in 4 (Mostly Easy) Steps," "Character Arc = Character Complexity: Develop Depth and Nuance," and "Pleasure > Discipline: Center Your Creative Practice."

To learn more and sign up, click here: https://writerunboxed.com/2023/04/06/introducing-the-2023-writer-unboxed-unconference/

The Author Alchemy Summit is happening in Portland, OR, from February 22-25, 2024. This intimate conference is focused on exploring the theme, "How can we connect directly with our readers?"

Susan will be a guest speaker at this two-day event for writers of both fiction and nonfiction, which includes panels, presentations, workshops, 1:1 sessions, and more.

To learn more and register to attend, click here: https://authoralchemysummit.com/

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