What every writer hopes for when seeking feedback is a reader who can clearly hear the particular voice of the work, recognize its unfulfilled possibilities, pinpoint where it flags or goes awry -- and, not least, notice its best moments. It is rare to find someone with this skill and vision. Ericka Lutz has it, but she has more - she has the patience, the thoroughness and the language to turn these insights into something practical you can use. This is the faculty the best book editors I have known bring to their work, and it is our good fortune that Ericka is not locked away in some publishing skyscraper but here, available to us all.

-- Marion Winik, Above Us Only Sky

Ericka is truly a writer's teacher, insightful, perceptive, and -- perhaps most important -- deeply caring. She deftly guides writers in unlocking their own creativity.

-- Camille J. Cusumano, TANGO: an Argentine Love Story

Ericka Lutz has been of tremendous help to me as I revise my second novel. Her feedback and insights are right on target and inspirational. I also appreciate the supportive way she gives constructive criticism. I have recommended her to other writers without hesitation.

-- Wendy Tokunaga, Love in Translation

When I send a story to Ericka, I feel the anxiety and uncertainty that inevitably hover when a first draft is finished float away. I know that soon we will be talking about my work, and that Ericka will tell me the truth -- about everything that the story is, and everything it might become. She has the rare gift of being able to see the tiny missteps as well as the very big picture, of recognizing a story's strengths and its potential. And she knows how to articulate all this, how to tell you exactly where a story could go further, or where it strays off track, while letting you, the author, discover your own solutions under her sensitive guidance. She is intuitive yet practical, forthright yet fun. I always leave our sessions inspired to tackle the next draft, and newly-equipped with the tools to do so.

-- Elizabeth Bernstein, Editor of The Big Ugly Review.

Ericka's guidance and insights reinvigorated my zest for completion and drove me to dig deeper, find the true essence of my story and run with it. I felt that Ericka thoroughly understood my writing voice and as a result she was able to connect with my work on an intimate level. She was never afraid to be honest, which I appreciated. No editor who says everything is all great or all bad is any help. If you are willing to put in the work, Ericka will match you. I feel she was truly engaged and cared about me as a writer, as a person, and was invested in my stories. Ultimately, my confidence grew with her kind, thoughtful direction. I would recommend to any serious writer.

-- Keelyn Healy

Ericka helped me to become more aware of my personal writing process, and find a path into the novel I have been struggling to develop. She took time to understand my goals, and offered insightful feedback that has helped me discover the story I want to tell, and keep the words flowing. Her vision, pragmatic advice, and support have inspired me to stretch my writing far beyond what I had thought possible.

-- Heidi Lyss

What I like about Ericka is that she guides without taking over or controlling. She is secure enough in herself to allow me to make space for who I am and my voice. Unconventional, though versed in all the writing "rules," she consistently invites me to define my own way of doing things; my writing, my book. I feel encouraged after each session with Ericka. I trust her; she's not afraid to tell me the good and the bad. Her rich sense of humor and her delight in detail, as well as vision, buoy me at every step.

-- Renee Riley-Adams

Ericka's teaching style is one of the most effective I've ever encountered. She doesn't teach with just a handful of one-liners, only asking writers to 'show instead of tell.' Rather, Ericka's style is much more insightful and adaptive. Ericka critiques with an eye sensitive to all the qualities that most writers are trying to obtain -- from simple mechanics, to style of prose, to fleshing out the message that her students are trying to convey. I would highly recommend her to anyone who is trying to become the best writer they can be. She is one of the sharpest teachers out there.

-- Max Delgado

I’ve had the pleasure of taking two novel writing classes and two writing workshops with Ericka, and I have also worked with Ericka individually on fiction and non-fiction projects. Ericka is the personification of a great muse. She finds ways to bring out the best in you and your writing and to stay committed to your vision. I highly recommend Ericka. Do yourself and your writing a favor, choose Ericka as your writing coach or personal editor.

--Davina Kotulski, Why You Should Give a Damn About Gay Marriage

Ericka is a skilled and caring writing teacher. She helped me find inspiration when doubt had gotten the best of me. She is skilled at focusing on writing with gentle, surgical precision, always with an eye to the heart of the work and an ear to the individual writer's voice. Most importantly she was instrumental in helping me identify and articulate what is unique and particular about my own writing, understanding the slice of life my work explores.

--Teresa Burns Gunther, Founder of Lakeshore Writers Workshop

Writing Consultant - University Lecturer - Fiction Teacher - Testimonials