When Susan McCauley stepped off Disney World’s Haunted Mansion ride at three years old, she begged her parents to take her again. Spooky inspiration was brewing inside McCauley, an award-winning writer and producer of paranormal, fantasy, and horror films and novels. Her heart-pounding Ghost Hunters middle-grade paranormal-mystery series has become a must read for enthusiasts of haunting stories. Fans are anxiously awaiting the September release of the fourth book, Ghost Hunters: Swamp Witch. With a feature-length film in development and Merlin’s Apprentice slated for publication in January 2023, the Texas native’s talents span many facets. She was the line producer of the Emmy Award nominated Civil War short film “Now & Forever Yours: Letters to an Old Soldier”. Plus, her short story, "The Cask," was made into an award-winning short film. When she’s not writing or producing, you’ll find her traveling, practicing Taekwondo (she’s a black belt), or cuddling up with her three cats.

 

I chatted with Susan to ask eleven questions that will give you an inside look at the author behind the books.

 

1. How would you describe yourself in five words?

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Curious, adventurous, intelligent, kind, tenacious.

 

2. Have you ever visited any haunted places, and if so, where?

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Yes. I’ve visited several places in England reputed to be haunted, as well as places in Louisiana and Texas. I’ll say more about this in my next answer.

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3. Do you believe in ghosts?

 

Yes, and I’ve had a few experiences that made me believe. I won’t go into them all right now, but here are a couple I’ve had. . . Once I got a feeling that there was a lady in grey on a stairwell at Leeds Castle in England. When we got upstairs, and without telling the guide what I sensed, I asked if there were any ghosts in Leeds Castle. The guide told me there was a lady in grey often seen on the stairs. Of course I’ve also done ghost tours in New Orleans, but one unexpected experience was at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans. My husband, son, and I were staying there on the way home to Texas from Florida, and while we were having breakfast in the room (this was during COVID), a throw pillow levitated, then flew a few feet across the room. That was followed by the pillow below it doing the same thing. My son and husband were sitting at a table, and I was on the bed. We were all several feet away from the pillows. So, that was interesting.

 

4. Have you ever met any celebrities?

 

I lived in Los Angeles and studied acting and screenwriting for several years, so I met quite a few actors/celebrities. I met Jeff Goldblum while working on the film Powder while I was still living in Houston, and he invited me to study acting with him at Playhouse West in North Hollywood. So, I studied acting with Jeff for a couple years. When Jeff was away working on films, my sub was sometimes Mark Pellegrino (Supernatural). And Vince Vaughn came in to audit our class once. I was an undergraduate student with Jim Parsons at the University of Houston. He was a theater major and I was a theater minor, but we were in the same college algebra class together. At the time, I was friends with Jim’s roommate, actor Derek Cecil. I’ve also met John Travolta, Mel Gibson, Danny Glover, Jensen Ackles, Mary Steenburgen, Ted Danson, Malcolm McDowell, George Clooney, Judi Dench, Ben Kingsley, Ralph Fiennes, Joseph Fiennes, and Alan Rickman. I attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London with a few actors who’ve become somewhat well-known in recent years: David Dawson, Ben Whishaw, and my friend Bertie Carvel, who won the Tony for his performance in Ink in 2019.

 

5. Do you like writing or producing better?​

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I definitely prefer writing. I don’t mind creative producing when I get to pull the creative elements and people together, but I really dislike the money part of producing. I don’t like asking people for money, struggling to raise money, dealing with numbers, or all the legalities involved with producing. I just love creating.

 

6. How long have you been practicing taekwondo?

 

I’ve been practicing taekwondo for just over three years. My son and I became black belts in May, and we will test for 1st degree decided in August.

 

7.  What was the best thing about living in London?

 

I loved all the art, theatre, and culture in London. There was always so much to do, and so much wonderful theatre to see. I also loved the history there.

 

8. What was the last tv show you binged watched?

 

The Last Kingdom. I loved everything about the show, including the actors. I also think that director Jon East is brilliant.

 

9. Did anyone give you one piece of advice that stuck with you? Who was it and what was the advice?

 

Jeff Goldblum used to tell us to always return phone calls – regardless if it was an agent or an assistant. He said you never knew where someone would end up, and that people were moving up and down the Hollywood ladder all the time. So, he advised us to always be courteous when speaking to people and to return calls. (I think the same thing applies to emails today).

 

10.  What is the best room in your house for reading?

 

My bedroom is the best place for me to read. I typically read at night once my son and husband are asleep and our cats have been fed. It’s the little time I have without immediate responsibilities, and I get to escape. (If I try reading in my office, my cats bat at the door or try to chew my computer cables.)

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11. What are you working on now?

 

I’m currently awaiting copyedits on Ghost Hunters: Swamp Witch, the fourth book in my Ghost Hunters series. I should be fully done with that one by the end of July. I have my debut picture book, Trooper at the Beverly Hills Hotel, a sweet book based on a true story, coming out in December 2022. And, the first book in my new middle grade fantasy series, Merlin’s Apprentice: The Mage, will be released in January 2023. So, lots of upcoming releases. I’m planning to work on a pilot episode based on Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall this summer, and then I’ll get to work on book 2 in the Merlin’s Apprentice series once school resumes in August.

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To find out more about Susan's books visit https://linktr.ee/susanbmccauley

Her web site at http://www.sbmccauley.com/

Connect with her on Instagram @susanbmccauley

On Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SusanBMcCauley 

 

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