Susanna Callaghan is an author of psychological thrillers, mysteries and dark short stories and is currently seeking representation for her debut novel. She also enjoys photography, swimming and long walks in wild places.
My Writing Adventures
In 2017/18 I started writing short stories with dark twists and was delighted to have two accepted for Second Taste: Book a Break Anthology 2018.
After this I started work on two longer novels – not at the same time! – but on and off as I became disenchanted or re-enchanted with one or the other.
The lockdowns of 2020-21 gave me time to focus on developing my writing and starting a novel. This was short-listed in the Page Turner Awards 2020 and featured in York news: (https://pageturnerawards.com/entrants-stories) I then finished a different book, which raised interest from a US agent via a Gotham Writers pitching opportunity. I also sent it to a small number of UK agents, gaining requests for the full, but no offers.
2021 – 2025
Realising I needed to develop my fiction writing and editing skills, I worked with Reedsy, Jericho Writers, Curtis Brown Creative, Matt Kendrick and Globe Soup. My writing included poems, short stories and flash fiction alongside developing novels in different genres.
It’s been hard to find time and inspiration to write since 2021 due to deaths in our close family and caring for a sick relative until 2025. Nevertheless my psychological thriller was longlisted in the PMJ Undiscovered Writers Prize 2023 and in the Top 100 of the Bath Novel Award 2024. My poetry was longlisted for the Emerging Poets Development Scheme 2024. My first children’s book (middle grade) was shortlisted in the Guppy Books Prize 2025.
2026
I am finishing my children’s book and working on a speculative novel about two complex women who clash across time.