by Susan Van Kirk | Mar 1, 2026 | Blog, podcast
I had a lot of fun talking with editor and writer Verena Rose on her Hystery Chronicles podcast. We discussed my latest book in the Endurance series, Fabric of Lies, and also how I use animals in my books. She asked me for something my readers don’t know about...
by Susan Van Kirk | Feb 23, 2026 | Blog, fiction, mystery
What do a nasty communist mother-in-law and a Shakespeare-quoting parrot have in common? They’re both characters in my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery Series. However, Ralph, the African Grey parrot, is a lot more likeable than Lucille Pollack, Anastasia’s...
by Susan Van Kirk | Jan 24, 2026 | Blog, mysteries, publishing, Susan Van Kirk, writing
Everyone is writing about looking forward to their writing projects for 2026. I’ve decided, since 2025 went by so quickly, that it might be fun to see what I actually did accomplish since I unretired and ran the local art gallery, leaving little time to write. I...
by Susan Van Kirk | Nov 16, 2025 | Blog, fiction, mystery, suspense, writing novels
Are you aware Susan Van Kirk’s first book-length published work was a memoir? Yup: The Education of a Teacher (Including Dirty Books and Pointed Looks). It’s out of print now, but rumor has it that may change in 2026. Given that, I’d forgive you if...
by Susan Van Kirk | Sep 22, 2025 | Blog, mysteries, mystery, reading, suspense
As authors, we know our manuscripts need fresh eyes before publication. When should readers see our work, and what should we ask them to look for? Here’s my system.. Let me begin by defining how I use the terms “Beta Readers” and “ARC readers.” Beta Readers are early...
by Susan Van Kirk | Aug 3, 2025 | Blog, book reviews, mystery, suspense
I’ve loved many of John Grisham’s courtroom dramas, so I was delighted to hear he had a new one coming out. NetGalley, the author, and his publisher, Doubleday Books, allowed me to read it early for a fair review. It comes out on October 21. The Widow is a story of...
by Susan Van Kirk | May 12, 2025 | Blog
Readers who know me—recent acquaintances, long-time friends from college—have been making comments to me that usually contain some variation of “but you seem so nice…how do you come up with these characters, these scenarios?” Where do bullies like Philippe,...
by Susan Van Kirk | May 5, 2025 | Blog, mysteries, writing
When it comes to writing my novels, I’m a pantser—someone who doesn’t plot out the whole story but writes by ‘the seat of their pants’ as they work out how things will evolve. However, there is one thing I’ve always done first, which is find my protagonist. And, for...
by Susan Van Kirk | Apr 28, 2025 | Blog, suspense, writing novels
Several years ago, I was at a writer/fan conference which focused mainly on cozy mysteries. I did indeed have a cozy out. I also had my first horror out. I was in the lobby talking about books to readers I’d just met. I’m fine with talking to a roomful or...
by Susan Van Kirk | Apr 21, 2025 | Blog
Whenever I’m asked about the inspiration for my middle-grade Zahra of the Uwharries series, my thoughts drift to childhood as I explain that hikes with my dad planted the first seeds. We lived smack dab in the middle of the “sticks”—as my New York cousins described...
