Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan McCauley.
Hi Susan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m an author with both traditionally and independently published short stories and novels. I’ve also got a picture book, Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel, coming out in November 2022, and my latest novel, Merlin’s Apprentice: The Mage, coming out in January 2023.
My interest in storytelling first emerged when I was around eight years old. At that time, I began writing poetry at school and making short films with my dad’s video camera. Because I was shy, my mom also enrolled me in a local theater group led by the fabulous Claire Harmon. By fifth grade, I was writing detailed essays in response to reading assignments, and started writing short fiction and plays in middle school. I took honors English and theater in high school, where I continued to write and also act. I thought I wanted to be an actress, so I took classes with Chris Wilson and her son, Brandon Wilson. Then, at sixteen, I started my studies at the University of Houston (UH). At nineteen, I graduated from UH with a BA in Radio-TV and a minor in Theater and moved to Los Angeles, California.
Upon moving to Los Angeles, I studied acting at Playhouse West with Jeff Goldblum, Robert Carnegie, and, occasionally, Mark Pellegrino. After over two years of acting classes, I realized my love of writing and knew I needed more guidance if I were to pursue it. So, I was thrilled when I was accepted to the University of Southern California’s Master of Professional Writing Program, where I received an MFA. To further explore theater, I then moved to London and received an MA in Text & Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and King’s College.
Upon returning to the United States, I continued dabbling in playwriting and screenwriting, but turned my focus to fiction. In 2016, my first short story was published. From there, I’ve had several short stories published in various anthologies, and my first novel was published in 2019.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Most definitely not! I’m not sure of any artist or actor or author who has had a smooth road. Certainly, some people have had “breaks” earlier than others, or bigger “breaks”, but I think there are ups-and-downs for all of us. That’s par for the course.
There have been so many struggles. With my training as a screenwriter, finding “my feet” in fiction was a challenge. It took me several years to feel ready to submit my work. And the numerous rejections can be hard. But it’s part of the process. So, from juggling personal life to professional uncertainty, it can be challenging to move forward as an author with such a crowded market. But I’m passionate about writing . . . so, I’m glad I’m doing what I’m doing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an author and screenwriter. I’m proud of all my books, but I still have a lot more I’d like to accomplish as an author and a screenwriter.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I’m always thankful when people read my books and leave positive reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. Reviews can be super helpful. I also love it when a reader enjoys my work and posts it on their social media account, or when a parent brings their child to one of my signings and the kids have read one or more of my books and are bouncing up and down because they’re excited to meet me and read my next one.
I write adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction and picture books. I love meeting readers of all ages, but the excitement I see in the kids really makes some of the struggles worthwhile.
If anyone would like to learn more about me or my books, they can visit my website: www.sbmccauley.com.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sbmccauley.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanbmccauley/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanBMcCauley/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SusanBMcCauley
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00UR3A5BO?_encoding=UTF8&node=2656022011&offset=0&pageSize=12&searchAlias=stripbooks&sort=author-sidecar-rank&page=1&langFilter=default#formatSelectorHeader
Image Credits
Susan McCauley headshot by Tracey Ivy.
