Now it’s time to learn more about the authors we read. . .

Why do you write the genre that you write?
I came to write in the cozy mystery genre because I love solving puzzles. My parents would certainly confirm I have always asked tons of questions. They say that WHY was the first word I said. I am naturally curious (some narrow-minded people say I am nosy…go figure…LOL). So, writing mysteries was the natural next step for me to take.

What’s the quirkiest quirk one of your characters has?
The series protagonist, Holly Schlivnik, has an extremely quirky personality trait. She inherited her nana’s fear of death. They both respond to death by laughing. This quirk is synonymous with Holly. Her colleagues and friends always ask if she laughs whenever she discovers a corpse. And she admits she does.

How did you come up with your pseudonym?
The most important criterion for choosing my pen name wasn’t finding something tricky. It was choosing one I’d respond to. The first name is a version of my real middle name. The surname is the translation from another language to English.

Tell us how you got into writing.
Like the protagonist in my Holly Swimsuit Mystery series, I was a ladies’ apparel sales exec. From the beginning of my career, I kept a daily journal that chronicled the quirky, interesting, and often challenging people I encountered and the crazy situations I’ve gotten myself into and out of. The journal entries are the foundation of all my writing. So, where did my story ideas come from? I paid attention to the mantra. Write what you know. With a dollop of imagination, a pinch of angst, and a decades-long career chocked to the gills with juicy characters, I had more stories in my daily journal than time to write them.

What jobs have you held before, during, and/or after you became a writer?
I was a ladies’ apparel sales rep traveling in the deep Southern states after college. I spent the lion’s share of my successful career as a senior sales exec in the ladies’ swimwear industry.

How many books do you have published?
To date, I have five published books.

Where do you write?
I have taken over our den which faces a water hazard on a golf course and converted the room into my writing office.

What is your favorite deadline snack?
Cinnamon graham crackers and chocolate.

Who is an author you admire?
You want me to name only one? Good grief! There are legions, but if I had to choose one, it would be the late, great Joan Hess.

What’s your favorite genre to read?
Mysteries-preferably humorous.

What are you reading now?
A rip-snorter of a madcap tale: Margaritas, Mayhem, and Murder by Mary Cunningham

What is your favorite beverage to end the day?
A glass of Chardonnay or Sangria with dinner followed by strong black coffee with dessert.

What is next for you?
Book number six in my series is slated for release on September 4th. I have submitted book number seven to my editor. Fingers crossed it will be published sometime in 2025. I have written the first draft of a prequel to my series with my protagonist as a high school investigative reporter with a penchant for discovering corpses. I am also collaborating with a sister author on a humorous cozy mystery combining both our casts of main characters. This is still in the planning stage, but we are both looking forward to writing the story.

Where can we find you?
Website: www.authorsusieblack.com
E-mail: mysteries_@authorsusieblack.com

Now to have some fun . . .

Chocolate, vanilla, or another flavor
Chocolate

Ice cream or cake
Ice cream

Fruits or Vegetables
Vegetables

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner
Breakfast

Dining in or dining out
Dining out

City life or country living
City life

Beach or mountain
Beach

Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall
Fall

Extrovert or introvert
Extrovert

Early bird or night owl
Night owl

And even more fun . . .

What’s your favorite movie?
Some Like It Hot

You are stranded on a deserted island. What are your three must-haves?
A supply of mystery books, coffee, and chocolate.

My bio:
Born in the Big Apple, Susie Black calls sunny Southern California home. Like the protagonist in her Holly Swimsuit Mystery Series, Susie is a successful apparel sales executive. Susie began telling stories as soon as she learned to talk. Now she’s telling all the stories from her garment industry experiences in humorous mysteries.