Susannah has been teaching people how to write online since 2008, when she helped develop the world’s first fully online masters degree in writing, at Falmouth University.
Prior to that she worked for many years in the publishing industry, commissioning and editing books. It was there she became aware of how unprepared writers were for the industry.
‘In those days, no-one thought writers needed to develop the professional skills that are so useful in publishing. I was inspired to move into teaching to help writers develop a wider understanding of what it means to be successful.
Fortunately this came at an exciting time, when digital technology allowed us to offer new and exciting ways for writers to learn, engage with each other and develop professional networks.
Founding PWA was a risk, but we have a wonderfully strong team with skills and knowledge in different aspects of writing, publishing and teaching – and many of our former students work with us.’
Susannah is author of 24 books herself – on spirituality, parenting and folklore – translated into 17 languages. She has edited more than 60 titles for authors including BKS Iyengar, Mary Quant, Penelope Leach, Elizabeth Luard and Anna Pavord.
Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph, Daily Record, You, Marie Claire, She and Junior. She has broadcast on BBC Radio 4 with Mark Tully (Something Understood) and her work has been recommended on BBC Radio 4’s Open Book.
Her non-fiction students are published by Ebury, Bloomsbury, HarperCollins, Icon Books, Square Peg, the History Press and John Blake Publishing; they have won The Biographers’ Club Tony Lothian Prize (2010) and been longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year (2013). She is a graduate of UEA.