New York Times
Best-Selling Author.

Susanna Sonnenberg is a celebrated author, editor and teacher whose literary talent shines through in her two bestselling books, Her Last Death and She Matters: A Life in Friendships.

Throughout her career, she has garnered acclaim for her work, which often explores themes of family, identity, and the profound impact of personal connections.

  • "Susanna is an extraordinary teacher and mentor. Working with her in class and, especially, privately, has enabled me to deepen my writing and trust my creative process. Her guidance has been steadfast and immeasurable. She is a rare gem who knows how to champion the heart of the narrator!"

    Michelle S.

  • "Susanna's approach to developmental and revisional writing is unique and all-encompassing. In one month of class she touched upon every aspect of craft by way of application rather than explanation. You'll find yourself digging deeper and questioning more – the only way to improve. Her workshop format is unlike any other I've encountered, always safe, inclusive, each with a singular goal. She encourages fearlessness while acknowledging the repercussions of fear every step of the way. With Susanna you will discover tools and develop the confidence to apply them in brave new ways."

    Heather Z.

  • "Susanna has a way of looking into your soul and giving you a prompt to unlock the things you wish you had the courage to write about."

    C.L.

Her Last Death: A Memoir

“Her Last Death recounts ‘the true calamity of being daughter to this mother,’ and the wonder of this memoir is that the author survived her traumatic childhood and found a way of turning her memories into a fiercely observed, fluently written book.”

MICHIKO KAKUTANI, THE NEW YORK TIMES

She Matters: A Life in Friendships

From the “immensely gifted”* author of Her Last Death comes a fearless, compulsively readable, intensely provocative book about female friendships.

*The New York Times

Welcome.

Hello from Missoula, Montana. I grew up in New York City but have lived here for 30 years. Who knew I’d love being outside most of the time? I love being outside.

I’m proud of my two memoirs, both bestsellers and one a NYTimes Editors Choice. With young children at home, I couldn’t have written them without the support of fellowships from MacDowell, Yaddo, the Djerassi Foundation, VCCA, Brush Creek and others. For ten years I’ve been teaching writing, mostly memoir and also essays and generative prompts. I’ve taught for the Atlantic Center for the Arts as a Mentoring Artist, for Interlochen Center for the Arts, the Omega Institute, Community Building Art Works, the California Institute of Integrative Studies, 24PearlStreet, 406, the Missoula Writing Collaborative and, since 2017, as summer faculty at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts.

You can join a class with me online. I offer new classes almost every month! You can hire me to read your manuscript, or guide you through writing one. Whether you sign up for a writing class or we work together on-on-one, you’ll find an intense focus on your work. I like to keep the classes intimate, usually no more than eight writers, welcome at any level. This mix provides for dynamic, respectful and exciting conversation. I work hard to help you find your words and your authority and to name your desires on the page.

Susanna Sonnenberg has been reviewed in…