Poems and Publishing: An Interview with Susan McLeod, author of Seasons of Life

Susan McLeod resides with her husband, John, in Alplaus, New York. She is originally from Southold, Long Island, New York. In the fall of 1975 she moved to Troy, New York, attending Hudson Valley Community College Nursing Program where she received her A.A.S. In 2007 she obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Russell Sage College in Troy, New York. Susan made a career change from nursing to work in a Nursing Home Activities/Recreation Department. Her favorite group activities were reading and writing poems with the residents. She volunteers in her community and enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and pet-sitting for friends. She is an avid reader of historical/cowboy romance novels as well as poetry. She started writing her poems at age fifty-one and continues to write today.

You can buy Seasons of Life here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I loved the book cover at first sight done by Josep Lledo of Atmosphere Press.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Everything was rewarding/meaningful in publishing my book. An exciting experience for me learning about all the different elements in publishing my book.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope the one thing readers take away from my poems is a universal feeling of enjoyment.

My perfect reader is a reader who loves poetry.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

I am currently working on my second collection of poetry.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

This team at Atmosphere Press Shelley, Alex, Trista, Ronaldo, Josep, Evan, Erin, Cameron, Hayla, and Chandler made my dream come true. Everyone was so nice, patient, and helpful assisting me in learning all the different elements that go into publishing a book. I would tell other writers to definitely publish with Atmosphere Press by the great experience I had in publishing my book of poetry.

You can buy Seasons of Life here.

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.