Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
S. Tilghman Hawthorne is the author of numerous short stories several of which have been published in various anthologies. Bitter Prophecy is her first published novelette, but there will be many more to come!
Born and raised on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia, she can’t remember a time when she didn’t want to write. When her mother read to her, she knew she wanted to create stories like that.
Writingdotcom awarded her First Prize in their Fireside Drama Contest for a short story entitled “Grand Opening” as well as a Red Ribbon for “Fantastic Integration of Setting and Plot” for her novelette “Little Bear”.
She’s had two non-fiction articles published in The Riverside Nurse and also won a poetry contest at 1-800-FLOWERS. She even won an “I’ve Been Published” t-shirt for her poem on the demise of the Taco Bell Chihuahua!! (He was really a “she”)
In October of 2014, her short story “Finding Grace” was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Touched by an Angel.
She has also had several short stories publishing in Anthologies.
Her novelette, Bitter Prophecy was recently published on Amazon and her full length novel, Legacy Of the Medallion: Blood Moon Rising is in edits now.
She worked as a Medical Secretary for 26 years in a Virginia Trauma Center, has been married for eighteen years and has two grown daughters and four beautiful grandchildren.
Susan has always loved to read and write but only recently began to pursue publication!
If you’d like to follow up with her, check out https://www.susan-hawthorne.com !
On Twitter she is @S_T_Hawthorne
and on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SusanHawthornesImaginationPage
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My novelette, Bitter Prophecy, has just recently been published on Amazon. I’ve always loved Fantasy and this group of characters: Mina, her best friend Pedar, her little sister, Zady and her grandmother, Alwynn, have been pestering me for a long time to be allowed out into the world. I hope you love them as much as I do!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think it’s particularly unusual, but I do try to stick with a schedule that includes time for exercise, time for family and, of course, time when I can close the door on the real world and visit the worlds of my imagination.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh my, the list is huge! And eclectic. The Fellowship of the Ring, of course, was a huge inspiration, but also the wonderful characterizations of To Kill a Mockingbird, the Fantasy elements of Peter Pan, the emotional development of works such as Oliver Twist, Eight Cousins, and Tom Sawyer. I’ve been an avid reader since the moment I learned to read and aspired to write from the moment I heard my first story at my mother’s knee.
What are you working on now?
I have an epic Fantasy in edits now called Legacy of the Medallion: Blood Moon Rising. I hope to publish it through Amazon in late Spring/early summer.
It’s about a young woman, who is a half elf, and who inherits her grandfather’s medallion. He was a great sorceror and died in order to create the medallion in order to stop a great war and to stop an evil sorcerer from taking over the world.
Mina imagines the medallion will take her on great adventures but instead she’s thrust into a new life she never wished for.. never in her wildest dreams!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new at promotion and am trying several different angles including Twitter, my own Facebook pages, several author groups, and reading every blog and website on writing that I can get my paws on. My budget is limited, so I’m investigating every free avenue I can find until I at least begin to get a feel for what works and what doesn’t.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Never Give up and NEVER think you aren’t good enough. Listen to the advice of stronger authors and work to learn the ropes. You’ll be glad you did!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Think of yourself as an apprentice. Read, read, read and pay attention to the rules… Once you know them and understand them, you may begin to bend – or even break! – them.
What are you reading now?
I wish I had more time to read!! Right now, while I’m learning how to publish and promote I have little time. But I must admit, when I Kay my head down at night I pick up my kindle and read a chapter or two. I do enjoy a bit of Dean Koontz, Stephen King and Lee Childs!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Building up my readership and getting more of my stories out there is going to be my greatest joy right now. I have several works in progress waiting in the wings! Feather of the Blue Heron is on my list after Legacy of the Medallion.
Its an inspirational piece on a woman who’s life is turned upside down and how she goes about setting things right once more.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only 3 or 4? I hope I won’t be stranded long! No computer? Not even a pen and paper?
I’d love to be able to explore some of the new writers that are coming along now. Indy is so exciting. its a brave new world (no pun intended!(
Author Websites and Profiles
Susan Tilghman Hawthorne Website
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