Lucy Cafiero - LC Ahl
Lucy Cafiero, known professionally as LC Ahl, is a published author and senior editor with a career that blends creativity, advocacy, and mentorship. After spending 25 years in the construction industry as a purchasing agent, Lucy pivoted to writing following the 2008 recession and a personal experience with breast cancer in 2003. She has authored three books to date, including One in Eight: A Teen's Guide to Understanding Breast Cancer, the crime thriller The Purple Lily, and Shorts, a collection of short stories, while also contributing to numerous publications in fiction, creative nonfiction, travel, true crime, and political writing.
Lucy earned her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English Language and Literature from Southern New Hampshire University in 2017, graduating summa cum laude. She joined Coffee House Writers in 2019, and three years later became a Senior Editor, leading a team of writers and performing developmental edits to help authors strengthen their manuscripts. Her editorial philosophy emphasizes clarity, perseverance, and openness to feedback, supporting writers in crafting impactful fiction and nonfiction.
Beyond her professional achievements, Lucy is deeply engaged in her community and advocacy work. She has volunteered with organizations such as Network of Strength, focused on breast-health education, and Renegade Rescue, a dog rescue initiative. She continues to write her own novels, currently working on The Darkest Destination, a continuation of her crime thriller series, while balancing her editorial duties and mentoring emerging writers in the literary field.
• Southern New Hampshire University- B.A.
• Summa Cum Laude
• National Leadership Association
• English Honor Society
• Alpha Phi Omega
• Savannah Women's Newcomers Club
• National Goose Association
• Making greeting cards for breast cancer support group in San Diego
• Network of Strength
• Renegade Rescue
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to perseverance and the ability to reinvent myself after setbacks, like being laid off in 2008, along with sustained effort in my writing and a willingness to embrace and act on editorial feedback.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say what I tell my writers: everybody thinks that their writing isn't any good when they're a writer. I did that for years. I kept journals, I wrote stories, and then years later, I'd go back and read it, and I'd go, I wrote that? This is really good! So I just tell them to stay at it, ask somebody else to read it, and don't take the negativity so seriously. A negative comment or review is actually better than getting all 5 stars. One of my favorite authors is Catherine Stockett who wrote The Help, and she had 36 rejections. Every time she got a rejection, she'd re-edit her story. And then all of a sudden, she got noticed, The Help was published, and then they made it into an Academy Award-winning movie. That's why I say never give up. Just keep going, and listen to the advice that an editor gives you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
My biggest challenge is working with writers who believe when they hand in a draft that it's perfect. They like to argue, saying 'but, but, I want the... but!' and I have to explain that something doesn't fit the story. Most writers appreciate the feedback, but there are a few that push back.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are service and advocacy—especially supporting women newly diagnosed with breast cancer—along with empathy, perseverance, and personal resilience. I also cherish animal advocacy, creative expression through handmade cards, and connecting with nature through photography and outdoor activities like bocce ball.