Biography

Susan, 49, is a Lancashire lass, she grew up in Wigan and now lives in Skelmersdale. She has very fond memories of daytrips and holidays in Blackpool as a child. Her favourite Pleasure Beach ride is the River Caves - it cannot be a coincidence that many of Susan's books settings feature the same locations as the ride!

She studied at Low Hall County Primary (now closed) and Byrchall High School. She did a Btec in Media Studies at St Helens College and then completed a degree in Journalism, Film & Broadcasting at University of Wales College of Cardiff (UWCC.)

She was awarded an MA with distinction in Creative Writing: Writing and Publishing Fiction by the University of Chester (2025). Her final writing project was a historical mystery for adults - The Secret of Abney Hall - which will be published by Fox and Ink Books on 1st October, 2026.

Susan has worked as a Library Information Assistant for three years.

She previously worked for twelve years in heritage and wildlife education, including as Learning Manager at Norton Priory Museum & Gardens, Runcorn. She has also worked at Rufford Old Hall, Tatton Park, Quarry Bank Mill, Catalyst Science Discovery Centre and Blackpool Zoo. Her first career, lasting ten years, was as a journalist and sub editor at Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Weekly Newspapers.

Susan is an Undiscovered Voices 2016 winner, a competition organised by SCBWI British Isles to find new writing talent. Susan won the 2015 SCBWI British Isles Margaret Carey scholarship.

Susan was also longlisted in 2007 for the Writers & Artists 100th edition novel writing competition.

Her children’s books are:

Gracie Fairshaw and the Mysterious Guest (2020), Gracie Fairshaw and the Trouble at the Tower (2021) (longlisted in the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award, 2022) Gracie Fairshaw and the Missing Reel (2024).

Kintana and the Captain’s Curse (2021).

Wrong Tracks (2024) (shortlisted in the Historical Association’s Young Quills Award 2026.)

All titles published by Fox and Ink Books (Formerly Uclan Publishing.