Write in Berkeley
What others say
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My clients & students have included
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ADRIENNE ROSS
Author of In the Eyes, In the Mouth
I've known Deborah Lichtman for over twenty years, and in that time she has proved to be one of the most insightful readers I've ever known. Her range of interests is extremely wide. She sees things that others do not, and points them out in a sympathetic and fascinating way. She is lucid and focused without being narrow. She is a reliable and eloquent critic of literature, writing, and film. I trust her judgment completely, and I cannot recommend her strongly enough.
MARY ANN SMITH
Former Director, National Writing Project
Deborah is a one-of-a-kind writing teacher. She opens up the world of writing through lively discussions, models, illuminating exercises, and invaluable feedback. Her knowledge and experience are rivaled only by her humor and her genuine interest in her students. I've taken several of her classes, and I keep coming back for more.
NICOLE P.
MFA Graduate
Deborah Lichtman is a phenomenal writing instructor and reader. She offers exacting critiques while simultaneously inspiring her students. She read my novel closely, thought about it, took it seriously, and gave me the chance to explore my talent, helping me to find my own strengths, not mimic someone else's.
K.M. SOEHNLEIN
MFA Instructor
Author of Robin and Ruby, and others
Deborah is a paradigm of attentive reading. She has both a deep love of literature and an innate sense of how a particular book will work. She offers detailed commentary, and she’s especially good at assessing manuscripts that are the thorny exceptions to the usual path. It would be appropriate to say that Deborah is “gifted," except that the term belies the amount of hard work and preparation she brings to each of her tutorial tasks. Every creative writing program should be so lucky as to have someone like Deborah Lichtman at the helm.
ELIZABETH EVANS
Literary Agent
Deborah Lichtman is an exceptional writing instructor. Her course was one of the finest writing classes I've taken. With her guidance, I learned to examine my subject matter more thoroughly and to craft more nuanced, thoughtful prose. She also has excellent taste in books; she has introduced me to some of my all-time favorite reads. Highly recommended.
KRISTIN LYSEGGEN
Photojournalist
Author of The Boy Who Was Not a Lesbian and Other True Stories
Deborah's eye is estimable and clear. She approaches my work with honesty and enthusiasm, and offers feedback that is constructive, specific, and prompt. Even when we are continents apart, Deborah is able to give me detailed and helpful suggestions on structure and content. She understands the sensitive subject of my book, and inspires me to move forward with it.
RACHEL S.
Editor
In four short sessions, Deborah helped me find answers to questions that had vexed me for months. She has a rare gift for understanding a writer's intentions and delivering critiques that cut to the heart of the issue. She made me laugh, she made me think, and she made me a better writer. Thanks to Deborah, I have what I need to get my book to the finish line.
NATHAN GORENSTEIN
Journalist
Author of Tommy Gun Winter: Jewish Gangsters, A Preacher's Daughter, and the Trial That Shocked
1930s Boston
Deborah is wonderfully talented at providing a sensitive but penetrating critique of your writing, while also analyzing it within the context of the hard-headed, market-oriented world of publishing.
DAVID CARLO
Novelist
Any writer fortunate enough to work with Deborah will write better for having done so. She is a meticulous manuscript reader, and her singular insight has revealed to me important things in my work I had looked at on my own many times without seeing. I am thrilled by the progress my book has made with her guidance.
ANNIE SWEETNAM
Psychologist
Working with Deborah involves more than getting expert editorial help--for me it was an experience of getting deeper into what I was trying to say and deeper into myself in the process. Deborah is a meticulous professional and diligent editor who has the ability to zone in on what's working in your writing and what is not. She delivers her comments with a combination of skill and sensitivity. Our community of writers and would-be writers is lucky to have her!
NANCY FISHMAN
Former Film Programmer
I worked with Deborah Lichtman when I was applying to graduate MFA programs. She is an astute reader and writing coach who respects the organic structure of one’s work, while providing excellent feedback and constructive, thoughtful criticism. I highly recommend her!
DIANA HORNE
Retired Federal Investigator
I have been lucky to have had wonderful teachers in my life - from North Carolina to California. Deborah Lichtman is the best of the best.
KAREN GRASSLE
Performing Artist
Because of her inspired teaching, I'm enrolling for my third course with Deborah Lichtman. She draws on a deep base of knowledge to provide her students with stimulating examples and productive exercises. Her classes are enlightening, and her notes and insights on my manuscript are invaluable.
CLIFF BLOCK
Social Psychologist
Deborah is a master tutor in the art of writing! I’ve taken several of her courses on the skills of memoir writing and each time have ended with a sense of satisfaction, a mastery of new skills, and a wish that the course had not ended! She’s terrific.
JESSICA TAN
Journalist
Deborah’s sharp and spot-on critique of my manuscript has done wonders. Her eye for detail and sensitivity to nuance have strengthened my drafts and challenged me to work on my craft as I tease out the essence of my characters and their stories.
CELIA CORREA
Retired Professor of English
Deborah brings to the classroom an exciting combination of skills. Her classes are thoughtfully arranged, with imaginative class exercises, insightful feedback on our writing, and reading selections tailored to stimulate discussion. Her sensitivity, enthusiasm, and yes – sense of humor! – encourage sharing and participation. Her classes have inspired me to persevere in the often-challenging task of pursuing a regular writing practice. I’ve taken a number of classes from Deborah and look forward to continuing to study with her.
KATHLEEN C.
Graduate Student, MFA in Writing Program
I worked with Deborah during my MFA program application process and have the highest praise for her manuscript critique and overall guidance. She will not overwhelm you with minutiae but through close reading and careful evaluation, will discover your strengths as well as essential “next steps.” Deborah is insightful, supportive and genuinely committed to helping you achieve your goals. I am grateful for our collaboration on my writing journey.
MARGOT DASHIELL
Retired Community College instructor
Teacher, guide, coach, writing facilitator: however I describe her, Deborah Lichtman’s style is magic. Her written and oral comments have been thorough and incisive, yet so genially offered that I’ve never felt vulnerable in our work together. Under her gaze, I’ve found a clearer voice, more freedom to produce work, and a love of the writing process.
PHIL BROEMEL
Retired Clinical Social Worker
I've had many wonderful teachers - but none with the combined sensitivity, intelligence, knowledge of literature, psychology and the art of consultation that Deborah has at her command.
DRUCILLA WALL
University Writing Instructor
Author of The Geese at the Gates
For those considering Deborah for private teaching duties, I can say without hesitation that she kicks ass. That should be an embroidered sampler on her website: "Kicks Ass."
my embroidered sampler
