Susan’s Background

Soon after she learned the alphabet, Susan became a writer. As an English major, she read, analyzed, and wrote and wrote. As a graduate student, she discovered how a university works. As a professional, she developed her chops in marketing strategy and project management. Then she was ready for a new challenge.

Business background
Before founding Written Work, Susan was director of new business development at Heller Breene Advertising and Design, Boston, with responsibility for building the agency’s marketing program. Earlier, she held account management and writing positions at Heller Breene’s predecessor agency and at the New York marketing communications firm Gips+Balkind+Associates (later Frankfurt Balkind Partners).

Academic background
Susan earned a Ph.D. in American Studies at Boston University. As a graduate student, she taught at BU’s Metropolitan College and held various administrative positions at the university. She graduated from Brown University with honors in English and American literature.

Getting an early start
Susan began her professional writing career at age 16, earning 15 cents a typeset inch for a high school news column that ran weekly in her hometown newspaper. She delivered her copy by bicycle to meet her deadline every Thursday at 4 p.m.