Susan Davis - Editor
Susan Davis is an award-winning short story writer and novelist with over twenty years’ experience as a fiction editor, mentor and tutor.
Her published fiction includes the Y/A trilogy: The Henry Game, Delilah and the Dark Stuff, Mad, Bad and Totally Dangerous – Pengun Books (Corgi).
Writing under the pseudonym Sarah Vincent, she also published a psychological thriller in 2014: The Testament of Vida Tremayne – Three Hares Publishing.
The Gingerbread Wife is an anthology of her slipstream short fiction, a mixture of magic-realism and the traditional ghost story.
Susan’s short fiction has been short-listed for the Asham Award, and won many other prizes. Stories have appeared in magazines such as Mslexia, Raconteur, Momaya Review, Staple, Metropolitan, Chapman, Panurge and appeared in anthologies such as Best New Horror. They have also been broadcast on BBC Radio 4.
Aside from her editing work at Jericho Writers, Susan has tutored Arvon Courses, taken part in several mentoring programmes, and acted as a Literary Adviser to West Midlands Arts.
Testimonials
- Jody C
- Steve M
- Ola I
- Valerie C
- Andy S
- Max Law
WHY WE LOVE SUSAN
Susan’s years of editing experience have helped her to craft a careful approach to editing in which she works to immerse herself in your writing to work to discern specific improvements. She pays close attention to a story’s plot and will work alongside of authors to help determine the best way possible to structure enjoyable stories that put the reader in the protagonist’s shoes.
WHAT SUSAN SAYS ABOUT EDITING
I’m passionate about helping other writers because I know from experience how lonely writing can be at times. Also how puzzling when rejection slips pile up. Having changed genres, target audiences (and agents!) more than once, I’m especially keen on helping those writers who are unsure of their direction. Some very talented people fail to secure a deal because they haven’t quite found the genre which plays to their strengths.
Whether clients are beginners or more experienced writers ready to submit I ask how can I help them realise their full potential? I aim to give realistic and honest assessments but also to encourage and inspire. Building confidence is crucial. Learning the craft is important but above all I stress the need to enjoy the process, to keep exploring and experimenting. This is the only way to find one’s unique voice and style.
Favourite topics encompass a wide range of interests, from the paranormal to social realism. Modern Gothic is of special interest to me. I’m keen on first person confessionals and writing that’s hard to pigeonhole.
What Susan works on
Manuscript assessment
Developmental Editing
Agent Submission Pack assessment
Proof-reading
Genres Susan specialises in
Susan's published books
Mad Bad and Totally Dangerous
YA trilogy where three teenage girls encounter famous and dangerous figures from the past: Henry VIII, The Witch finder General and Byron.
‘Wickedly Funny’ – The Ultimate Teenage Book Guide
‘Will keep you on the edge of your seat’ – Books for Keeps
The Testament of Vida Tremayne
‘Daphne Du Maurier meets Stephen King – A deliciously Dark Psychological Thriller’
The Gingerbread Wife: Short Story Collection
‘This is a writer triumphantly in command of her material, her style, and of her ideas.’
