Susan, a writer and conceptual illustrator, will be writer in residence at Gosling Sike in Houghton and will be writing and publishing work inspired by The Lost Words wildlife garden and the nature trail around the farm, as well as well as leading a number of writing events (dates to be rearranged). 

As well as writing and illustration, Susan is trained in theatre design, specialising in costume, and has worked for a variety of theatres, including Solent Peoples Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange and English National Opera. She has produced costumes for ACT Youth Theatre in Carlisle, and fabric illustrations for the exhibition Mind Trees of the Urban Forest.

She has run workshops for Rosehill Theatre, Lakes Aquarium and the Beatrix Potter Attraction.

Writing workshops with Carlisle Writers Group have taken her into Kingmoor School and Stoneraise School and she is also running workshops for the School Eco-Awards in March.

Being a wild swimmer and fell walker gives great inspiration to her, and the environment is often reflected in her poetry. She has been published by Cumbria Wildlife Trust and Cumbria magazine, as well as appearing in various other anthologies, and in publications by Caldew Press, the small press based in Carlisle she co-runs with her colleague, Philip Hewitson. 

As well as the Gosling Sike residency with Cumbria Wildlife Trust she is also writer in residence for the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and will be delivering a number of workshops inspired by coastal landscapes and nature reserves.