Why do you write the genre that you write?
I love to write historical fiction because I have always been intrigued by fascinating things about the past, especially the social and cultural details of everyday life. I’ve always been interested in big questions of history—how did people deal with plague, fire, injustice, crime? I was also fascinated by the ‘smaller’ questions too—what did people do for fun? What is the origin of this phrase or word? Where did this tradition or custom come from? I love unearthing information about little-known objects or stories and share them with my readers. And I write mysteries because I have always loved puzzles, clues and enigmas, which I try to build into my stories.

Tell us how you got into writing?
I was always writing short stories when I was a kid and dreaming about writing a novel one day. But when I went to college
and grad school, the creativity was beaten out of me and I really didn’t write (or read) for fun for a long time. But then when I was in graduate school, I came across these really interesting 17th century murder ballads (part of the penny press that was the ‘true news’ of the day.) I started to imagine a story based on these ballads, and that story became my first novel, A Murder at Rosamund’s Gate.

What’s next for you?
I recently released the second in my speakeasy murders, The Fate of a Flapper, as well as the fifth of my Lucy Campion mysteries, The Sign of the Gallows. I have just turned in the sixth to my editor, for release next year. I’m currently working on a stand-alone, which I’m super excited about.

What are you reading now?
I just finished When No One Was Watching by Alyssa Cole—which was a pretty fantastic read. Jess Lourie’s Bloodline was incredibly compelling. Next up is Tracy Clark’s Runner, which both my husband and I have been eagerly awaiting, as we are both fans of her protagonist Cass Raines.

Where can we find you?
I can be found, always, at a table in my son’s room or on my living room sofa. Ha, I kid. Please check out my website susannacalkins.com. I can be found on Facebook (authorSusannaCalkins) and on Twitter @calkins3.

Now to have some fun . . .

Vanilla or chocolate
Oooh why choose? Chocolate

Pizza or burgers
Definitely pizza

Broccoli or squash
Broccoli most of the time, if I must.

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
I do enjoy a delicious dinner, but pop a donut in front of me and I’ll be happy.

Mountain or beach
BEACH! And to be more specific, ocean not lake.

Introvert or Extrovert
Ambivert 🙂 Okay, if pressed. Pre-pandemic, extrovert. Mid-pandemic, introvert.

And even more fun . . .

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?*
(1) A magical bar that always has the drink I need and a table where I can write
(2) Internet and zoom connections because I don’t really want to be alone
all the time and I want to tell my stories to actual people
(3) Kindle and Netflix (*I have successfully cheated on your question.
Basically I’m just describing a writer’s retreat.)

My bio:
Susanna Calkins writes two award-winning historical mystery series, the Lucy Campion mysteries set in 17th century London and the Speakeasy Murders, set in 1929 Chicago. Her books have been nominated for many awards, including the Mary Higgins Clark award, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Macavity, and the Lefty. Holding a PhD in history, she is currently an educator at Northwestern University. Born and raised in Philadelphia, she lives outside Chicago now with her husband and two sons.