Susan (Basso) McCauley is a screenwriter and award-winning author of books for children, teens, and adults. Susan fell in love with writing, theater, and film when she was eight-years-old. That passion inspired her to receive a B.A. in Radio-Television with a minor in Theater from the University of Houston, an M.F.A. in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California (USC), and a M.A. in Text & Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and King’s College in London. Susan also studied acting at Playhouse West with Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day) in Los Angeles.
Susan has several short stories published, one of which, "The Cask", was made into an award winning short film. In addition to her short stories, Susan has one novella and five novels in print, as well as a feature length film in development. Her debut picture book, Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel, released in November 2022, and the first in her new fantasy series, Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage, released in January 2023.
Susan loves travel, animals, movies, theatre, taekwondo (she's a 1st degree black belt), her family, and books (of course!)
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Interviews, Reviews, and Notable Mentions:
WGNRadio20, Release of Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage, January 2023 | Houston Chronicle, December 2022 | Beverly Hills Hotel Launch of Trooper, December 2022 | McCauley's Book Wins Best of Los Angeles Award, November 2022 | Trooper Releases with Rave Reviews, November 2022 | "Life & Work with Susan McCauley", October 2022 | 20 Questions with Susan McCauley, Cursed Dragon Ship, July 2022 | "Meet Susan McCauley, Author & Screenwriter", ShoutOut HTX, May 2022 | Kirkus Reviews Review of Merlin's Apprentice: The Mage, May 2022 | Kirkus Reviews Review of Ghost Hunters: Spirit Fire, April 2022 | Horror Writers Association 2021 Recommended Reading List, YA Fiction: Ghost Hunters: Spirit Fire | Deadline Hollywood, November 2021 | Houston Press, "Meet the Dead this Halloween with Spirit Fire", October 2021 | Publishers Weekly on Ghost Hunters: Pirates' Curse, September 2021 | Kirkus Reviews, "An Interview with Susan McCauley", June 2021 | Southside Book Fair, May 2021 | Mid-West Book Review's "Fantasy/Sci-Fi Shelf", April 2021 | TV Interview with Great Day Louisiana, March 2021 | Podcast Interview with Joey Held, March 2021 | Interview with Jean Book Nerd, March 2021 | Author Q & A, February 2021 | Horror Writers Association 2020 Recommended Reading List, YA Fiction: Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall | Horror Writers Association 2020 Recommended Reading List, Long Fiction: The Demon Tailor | "Mom Culture Loves Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall", October 2020 | Shriekfest, April 2020 | Hidden Gems Books, February 2020 | Kirkus Reviews Review of Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall, January 2020 | Horror Writers Association 2019 Recommended Reading List, YA Fiction: The Devil's Tree | Deborah Halverson, December 2019 | Shriekfest Red Carpet Interview, November 2019 | Sonora Taylor, Ask the Author, October 2018 | Author Interview with Steven R. Southard, October 2018 | Abbie Roads, Author on the Couch, September 2016 | Sarena Ulibarrri, Three Question Interviews, September 2016 | Houston Chronicle, June 2015