Meet Susan K. Beatty: Author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Susan K. Beatty and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Susan K., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
For a writer, it’s really a no brainer, unless you want to be tied to writing for a company. Because my goal was to write novels, I knew I would be CEO, CFO, and the creative. This is also true for authors who are under contract with a publishing company as I am. I do all the writing, marketing, contract negotiations (an agent will do this for you if you have one), tracking deadlines. etc. In many way, my publisher is part of my team.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a newbie to the ranks of published fiction writers. I retired from two previous careers (journalist in my younger days and then a homeschool mom and executive director of a statewide homeschool advocacy organization.). So my writing career started in my late sixties. I will have my first full-length novel released in May 2021. (Several shorter works have been published.) It’s not easy breaking in at any age, but as a seasoned citizen, it takes more effort to learn the skills, make connections, and stay awake long enough to get the writing accomplished. But I’m proof you can start writing at any age if you learn your craft and surround yourself with great mentors. My tagline is Courage at the Intersection of Faith and Grit. The topic of courage and the need for it became personal when my daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 32. Ten years later, she’s had three bouts, the second landing her in the metastatic category. Through this time she has exhibited extraordinary courage. Stories bring the reader into an emotional connection that brings understanding of something that the reader may not have experienced on their own or have and are encouraged by the validation of someone else experiencing something similar. I write stories that show ordinary people in situations that require courage and how they acquire the necessary bravery to deal with the trials.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a tourist nerd. I like all of the ordinary, historical tourist attractions. We start out at Union Station, then visit the surrounding communities of Olvera Street, China Town, and Little Tokyo. As we widen our route, we’d visit Universal City, the Farmer’s Market, Venice Beach, Santa Monica pier. Then into Orange County for Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm. And one can’t forget a trip into the mountains, usually Big Bear. And, of course, we eat everywhere along the way. I told you I was a tourist nerd. No off the beaten path spots for me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
While the writing itself is a solitary endeavor, the author is in her chair because of the community she’s surrounded herself with. For me, there are my local groups (ACFW-OC and critique group), my mentors, editors, and publisher, Celebrate Lit, who have made it all possible. I must not forget the encouragement and knowledge shared with me by an extensive network of authors across the country via social media.

Website: www.susankbeatty.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susankbeattyauthor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanKBeattyAuthor/

Other: https://www.amazon.com/author/susankbeatty https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19509173.Susan_K_Beatty https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-k-beatty https://www.facebook.com/groups/1169775503218317/