About Susanna

Susanna Callaghan is an author of psychological thrillers, mysteries and dark short stories and is currently seeking representation for her debut novel. She also enjoys photography, swimming and long walks in wild places.

My Writing Adventures

In 2017/18 I started writing short stories with dark twists and was delighted to have two accepted for Second Taste: Book a Break Anthology 2018.

After this I started work on two longer novels – not at the same time! – but on and off as I became disenchanted or re-enchanted with one or the other.

I decided that 2020 was my year to focus intensively on developing my writing and editing skills and to finish a novel. I was fortunate to discover Jericho Writers blog and website packed with resources for writers. Their Summer Festival of Writing 2020 gave me a wealth of insights into writing and the publishing industry and connected me with inspirational authors, agents, editors and fellow aspiring writers.

Gotham Writers was also a great resource for me during lockdown. I highly recommend their Inside Writing series hosted by Josh Sippie. During the first series I had the opportunity to send my first book to a US agent, and this encouraged me to send it out to other agents too. Although I received two requests for the full, this didn’t lead to any offers.

I was also a finalist in the Page Turner Awards 2020 with a different book and this led to agent interest, but no contract.

I had to set my writing aside during 2021 due to family illness. I picked up my writing again in 2022, worked on edits alongside learning more craft and now, in 2023 – we’ll see.