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 trade, commissioning and editing books, building lists and developing new talent. 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 translated into 17 languages. She has edited and ghosted more than 60 titles, and worked with authors including BKS Iyengar, Mary Quant, Penelope Leach, Elizabeth Luard, Anna Pavord and Peter Ackroyd. As consultant editor at Elementum journal, she worked with writers including Kathleen Jamie, Robert Macfarlane and Raynor Winn.
Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Times, The Telegraph and Daily Record, and she has broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Her non-fiction students are published by the Big-5 publishers and plenty of indies; they have won The Biographers’ Club Tony Lothian Prize, Comedy Women in Print, and William Hill Sports Book of the Year. She is a graduate of UEA.