Susan Helene Gottfried

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Susan Helene Gottfried

Goodreads Author


Born
in West of Mars
Website

Twitter

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Member Since
December 2008

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Susan Helene Gottfried is the heavy-metal-loving, not-disabled-enough divorced Jewish mother of two. A freelance line editor to authors of fiction by day, her select roster of clients tend to hit bestseller lists, and more than a few have quit their day jobs. It’s not entirely her doing, but like does attract like.

Susan holds a BA (University of Pittsburgh) and MFA (Bowling Green State University) in English Writing and Fiction, respectively.

She lives with a couple cats in the Pittsburgh suburbs, just West of Mars. Visit her at http://WestofMars.com and http://TalesFromTheSheepFarm.com.
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Popular Answered Questions

Susan Helene Gottfried Hi, Cathy! It's been too long!

Expect a lot of books to disappear into the black hole of potential reviewers. There are a million reasons for this, but…more
Hi, Cathy! It's been too long!

Expect a lot of books to disappear into the black hole of potential reviewers. There are a million reasons for this, but the top two seem to be that readers take on more books than they can review/life intrudes on reading and reviewing time, and that reviewers often won't post a negative review, which is unfortunate because a well-constructed negative review can be very helpful to a reader... and the author.

I always suggest vetting your potential reviewers very carefully. Read their other reviews and (I'm not kidding!) make sure they are up to your level of literacy. I can't tell you the number of reviews I have solicited for some of my books that were so full of grammatical errors, they were horrifying. (And some of those were from people considered "top reviewers," too!) But also, make certain that you're sending a review copy to someone who actually reads and understands your genre. Don't send a science fiction book to someone who only reads Regency Romances, even if your SF is a romance.

I also maintain that one of the best ways to build a reviewer base is by building your network of readers. Interact with the people who review your books (and who you'd like to review your books) -- but on topics other than your books. Work your network.

Remember to post reviews of books YOU read, too! Not only for books written by those in your network, but if you read something and have something to say about it, speak up. Reviews help authors, as you know. It's an easy way to pay it forward, and you never know where those small efforts will lead.

And, once you have people who are writing reviews for you, contact them first when you have a new book out. Of course, you'll have to keep an eye on who is writing the reviews and maintain a list, but again, it's networking and a way to reach a devoted following. Even if they find a book a mis-step and not up to your usual quality, don't kick them off. Only kick them off if they don't post the review (and how timely that post happens is up to you, but remember that with self-publishing, books don't go out of print, so you're playing the long game now), if they say they are done reading your books, or if their reviews of your books are only negative. At that point, they aren't helping you improve.

Hope all that helps, and good luck! Reviews are so necessary, but at the same time, soliciting them can be a full-time job. (less)
Susan Helene Gottfried Catherine, I have formatters who do the work for me and yes, they format for Smashwords. Contact me directly at Susan@Westofmars.com and we can talk r…moreCatherine, I have formatters who do the work for me and yes, they format for Smashwords. Contact me directly at Susan@Westofmars.com and we can talk rates and timeframes. (less)
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Still Here — Wednesday, November 26, 2025

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Book cover for Susan Helene Gottfried's book Permission to EnterThe women of Permission to Enter are still here. Some haven’t left yet, some don’t know they’ll be leaving in the future, but most of them? Most of them are still here — and that’s a very loaded statement.

If you don’t know what it means, grab a copy and see for yourself. I’ll have the last of my current print stock with me at the Canonsburg Old-Fashioned Christmas on Decem

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Published on November 26, 2025 05:47
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Topics Mentioning This Author

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Hannah E. Carey
“Hesitantly, he brushed back a few errant strands of her hair, his hand resting along the side of her face. "You have no idea how much I wish I could change thing."

"I think I might," she whispered.

His gaze dropped to her lips, causing her heart to race even faster. When he lowered his head, she held her breath, the memories of their first and only kiss flooding her, a kiss that seemed like it was a lifetime ago. She wanted to experience that again, to feel his lips on hers. She held perfectly still as he closed the distance between them, her breath catching.

When his lips pressed against hers, his touch was soft, exquisite and tender, stirring a fire within her that she had never felt before. She pressed herself closer to him as he worked a hand into her hair.

She wanted more of him. More of the precious connection between them that made her blood heat even as it filled her with an indescribable rightness. But almost as soon as their exploration of one another had begun, he pulled away, his breathing ragged and his expression pained.

"I can't," he softly said, his voice coming out strangled. "I'm sorry. I just... I can't do this.”
Hannah E. Carey, The Betrayer: Tales of Pern Coen

Hannah E. Carey
“Ciara had shed her boots and thrown herself down on the bed, letting out a quiet moan. The noise, along with the sight of her in the dim light sent his thoughts down a path he’d forced himself not to think on since they’d been running for their lives.

“Spirits,” she sighed. “A real bed.”

He let out a low chuckle, walking around to the other side of the bed and sitting on the edge so that he could take off him own boots.

“Well, if I’d known you’d be this easy to please…”

She threw a pillow at him, her laughter flooding his chest with warmth. He’d missed this part of them and he desperately wanted it back, even if it was only for one night.”
Hannah E. Carey, The Ascendant: Tales of Pern Coen

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“It was an impressive display of good food abused in the name of fashionable cooking.”
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Comments (showing 1-11)    post a comment »
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message 11: by Susan

Susan Gottfried Kenya wrote: "I've been promoting your outstanding editing services on twitter...... :-(
You better not get famous and leave me!"


You? No way, no how. Unless I die or leave editing, but even if I leave, I'll come back for you. I told you, lady: I take care of my own!


message 10: by Kenya

Kenya Wright I've been promoting your outstanding editing services on twitter...... :-(
You better not get famous and leave me!


message 9: by Leon

Leon Shure Thanks for becoming my friend,
Leon Shure


Shalonda Williams-Lynard Thanks for the acceptance. I hope that all os well and that the new year is going great! Peace!


message 7: by Susan

Susan Gottfried Marlene wrote: "Well you really deserve it. You really fought hard and I know a little bit how hard it was but you did not give up. I am very happy for you. Hope to see more books :)
Hugs"



Oh, there WILL be more books. But it'd still be nice if a big publisher would get involved! Clearly, there's money to be made here...


♥ Marlene♥ Well you really deserve it. You really fought hard and I know a little bit how hard it was but you did not give up. I am very happy for you. Hope to see more books :)
Hugs


♥ Marlene♥ wow. How good to see your book on here but even more on amazon!!! Good work.


message 4: by Susan

Susan Gottfried Thank YOU, Jeannie!


Jeannie Faulkner Barber Hi Susan and thanks for the friendship!
Blessings,
Jeannie


message 2: by Susan

Susan Gottfried cheesygiraffe wrote: "Umm why does Breeni's email addy show up for you? Did she set this up? LOL"

I think she fixed it. She's my Virtual Assistant. How cool is she to do that for me???




message 1: by Cindi

Cindi Kelley Umm why does Breeni's email addy show up for you? Did she set this up? LOL


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