Author Susan Cushman: 5 Things You Need to Know to Become a Great Author

READ widely, in many genres. I keep a list of the books I read every year, and looking back over the past few years, I see that I’ve read fairly equal numbers of fiction and nonfiction books. I especially love memoirs about people who have struggled with abuse and/or addiction, both of which are true in my life. In fiction, I read mostly Southern contemporary fiction — including everything from “chick lit” and “beach reads” to “grit lit” (mostly written by men) and historical fiction. Of course, I love a beautiful work of literary prose, which is for me a good way to improve my own writing.

As part of my interview series on the five things you need to know to become a great author, I had the pleasure of interviewing Susan Cushman.

Susan Cushman is the author of the new book John and Mary Margaret (Koehler Books, June 2021) her second novel and seventh book. It is based in her home state of Mississippi and…