Interview with Susan K. Marlow

Hey, what’s up, y’all? It’s Cari (AKA Charity. See this post to see why my name changed.) Today, I’m here with a very special author interview. This author is one of my heroes and a guiding influence in my writing journey. I’ve been a lifelong fan of her books—in fact, her Circle C Beginnings series were my first chapter books (I was five or six at the time). I’ve grown up with Andi Carter, the main character of the Circle C series. Please welcome Susan K. Marlow, the author of the Circle C Series and the Goldtown Series.

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Q: When did you start writing, and what inspired you to start?

A: I started writing stories when I was about ten years old. I was inspired by a fourth-grade teacher who taught the class about outer space. I started writing a story called "Up to Mars," about a girl who goes to Mars. I can't remember how she got there or what she did when she was there, but it's my first 'official' story. Handwritten. Later, I was inspired by some of my favorite TV shows, like Star Trek, and wrote oodles of fan fiction. My Circle C books actually started out (back in 1991) as Big Valley fan fiction. Obviously, the stories went through many changes and revisions since then, but that was the jumping-off point.

Q: Hey, I write fanfiction too! I want to publish them on sites like Wattpad and Archive of Our Own. Who has encouraged you most in your writing journey?

A: My mentor, Colleen Reece. After taking her writing class at the local community college, I mustered up enough courage to ask her to look at one of my Andi stories. She marked it all up so that it "bled" with red ink, but then she said it was really good and that's why she had taken the time to mark it up. She encouraged me to pursue submitting my manuscript for publication. Publication? You mean like asking somebody (a stranger) to read my work? No way! But she finally wore me down.

Q: I’m so glad Mrs. Reece convinced you to publish. The Circle C Series is one of my favorites, and Andi is so relatable! How many books did you write before seeking publication?

A: Oh dear! Between all of my fan fiction from various TV series plus my own made-up stories, probably at least a couple dozen. Maybe more. After moving up to a word processor (Commodore 64(kb) whoo-hoo!), I could churn out books way faster than by hand! Many ended up in the 'trash' (grrr, it would be fun to read them again sometime so I can cringe at the writing).

Q: That’s so cool. What inspired the Circle C series?

A: I mentioned above that writing fan fiction for the Big Valley TV series was the inspiration. I liked westerns but I always thought the Big Valley show could be greatly improved by adding a younger character . . . so I did. That's the short answer. The long answer is that once I decided to give in and try to become a published author (never, ever anything I wanted to do. I was content to write for myself. I know. Weird, huh?) I had to change almost everything about the original FF version--setting, characters, etc. That took a long time (to make it my own creation).

Q: Okay, I didn’t know Circle C started off as fanfiction. What about the Goldtown series?

A: I was "inspired" because so many parents wanted a series with a boy main character. I didn't really want to do it, but I knew by this time that God was leading and I could accomplish this. It started out as a six-book contract but for "now" they only wanted the first four. NOW, ten years later (thinking I was off the hook to have to write any more of them) I answered their 'call' to finish the last two books of the series. God took me through because I was terrified not having any ideas. He accomplished this, and the last two books, Valley of Treasure and Ocean of No Return release next spring 2024

Q: How did the publication process work?

A: Like a slow-moving glacier. In a nutshell . . .

1. I submit my query, which in my case included a proposal and 'hook' summary

2. The editor asked for the entire manuscript.

3. I waited . . . a year later they "accepted" my manuscript for publication

4. I waited . . . I got the ms back for the revisions. I revised and returned.

5. I submitted answers to a questionnaire, which included wanting to know my vision (concept) for the cover.

6. I waited . . . I got the proof pages to look over and returned.

7. I waited . . . the book was released, and I received my author copies.

From submitting my first manuscript for consideration to having the book, Long Ride Home, in my hand took TWO YEARS.

Q: Two years?! That’s a lot! Do you have a piece of advice for young writers?

A: Be patient. Learn all you can about your craft. Network with other young writers (and older, experienced authors too!). Don't be afraid to see red ink (or track changes) all over your manuscript. Go to writers' conferences! Begin marketing (finding your platform and audience) before you ever submit (nowadays, you must help market your book big time). Sorry! That was more than one piece of advice. Thanks for having me, Cari. These were excellent questions that I hope help your readers. If you want to read any of my silly fan fiction of old, you can go to my Author Page.

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Susan K. Marlow is the author of the popular Circle C series and the Goldtown series. You can connect with her on Andi Carter’s Blog and visit Circle C Books to learn more about her and her books.