About Me

Hello. My name is Susanna and I live in beautiful North Yorkshire. I have a blessed family life with my husband, three grown up daughters and five grandchildren. I am a freelance writer, author, poet, playwright, writing teacher and I am passionate about encouraging everyone to explore creative writing, regardless of age, background or experience. 

I have been passionate about writing all my life. I can remember a six year old me huddled in the corner of my bedroom creating miniature books made of scrap paper. My childish scrawls and basic drawings created an imaginary world far away and even now I can recall the fairy like characters who filled my story books with their adventures. Growing up I entered local writing competitions in the local library and I can still remember the excitement of winning the top prize of a selection of penny sweets in a candy pink striped paper bag. Yes, life was much simpler then, including the prizes!

Writing quickly became a big part of my life and I found myself desperate to learn more about creative writing and so I attended numerous courses and workshops, learning to a much deeper level. My current works in progress include a poetry anthology, a personal memoir about my Mum, a cosy crime novel based in a traditional English village and a collection of short mystery stories. I am already a published author having published two poetry books, one non fiction book, stories and poems in various anthologies and countless short stories. I was a regular contributor to the Harrogate Advertiser newspaper group managing my own column and have also written for The Metro, Leeds Building Society, Sport England, The Bald Hiker and have had many submissions to local and national online news magazine sites. For three years I was the in house writer for David Lloyd Clubs UK, writing content and articles on health and fitness, particularly for the over 50 age group. I have presented workshops at various writing festivals including the recent Harrogate Crime Festival in 2024.  I currently write and teach for The Joy Club UK. 

Much of my writing work has been freelance, working for national and local businesses, writing website content, blog posts and company articles. I have also written for personal requests such as wedding speeches and personalised poems. As a playwright I have had various drama and comedy plays performed in live theatre and I have also also directed and performed in a Promoting Yorkshire Authors live performance at Ilkley Literature Festival in 2019 and 2022. 

I have established and managed various community writing groups including The Cosy Mystery Book Club in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire with plans for a new writing club in North Yorkshire.I have worked with various organisations to deliver self development writing workshops to individuals and groups including North Yorkshire County Council, Knaresborough Library, Harrogate Ladies College, Anchor Hanover Group and various other local community and corporate organisations. I also organised and co-hosted the Writing and Wellness Festival in Harrogate in 2018. 

I am passionate about using photography to tell stories and record memories and I have attended various photography training courses specialising in Iphone Photography. I believe that mobile phones are primarily advanced pocket cameras that most of us are able to use to record our life and memories. Having a camera in your pocket allows quick and easy access to these stories without having to carry a large cumbersome camera. 

In my spare time I enjoy creative writing, photography, Qigong, hiking, crafts, walking my dog and spending quality time with my family.

I hold the following qualifications / training - BA Hons History, English & Art, ISPA Aromatherapy, Qigong, Meditation & Mindfulness, Therapuetic & Reflective Writing, Iphone Photography (urban, landscape, portrait) I am fully insured with Public Liability Insurance and DBS checked.

Thank you for visiting my website and I hope to see you at one of my classes, retreats or workshops. 

Susanna x