This is Ink & Intrigue—the blog where romance ignites, secrets simmer, and every love story hides a twist. I’m your blog host, Sheila Kell, romance author and lover of plot twists, slow burns, and morally questionable book boyfriends.
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce you to an author whose stories will captivate your imagination —Susan Harris Howell! If you love cozy mysteries with a touch of paranormal magic, you’re in for a treat.
Susan Harris Howell is gaining recognition for blending the nostalgia of college life with the intrigue of a whodunit. In her latest release, The Spirit of Vanderlaan, you’ll find enough paranormal to keep you intrigued, enough cozy to make you feel like you’re with a good friend, and enough mystery to keep you turning the pages.
In this spotlight, Susan shares her writing journey, plans for her novel’s sequel, and a behind-the-scenes look at The Spirit of Vanderlaan.
Whether you write mysteries, devour them, or dream of doing both—you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it and give a warm welcome to Susan Harris Howell! 💖
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Let’s start with questions about writing and craft. What drew you to writing cozy mysteries in particular?
When I first started writing Vanderlaan, I honestly didn’t know what its genre would be. I just started writing to see where it went and, somewhere along the way, it took the form of a cozy. I wouldn’t mind branching out into other genres at some point, but for now, cozy it is!
What’s your typical writing routine like—do you write with emotion or outline first?
I always write from my desk in my office and, ideally, in the morning. That’s when I have the most energy to get started. When I wrote Vanderlaan, I didn’t have an outline – I just wrote to see what would happen next. While that was somewhat enjoyable, it was a bit stressful. So, when I began the sequel, I started with an outline, and it’s undoubtedly easier this way. I’ll definitely stick with outlines from now on.
Let’s talk about your book. Can you tell us what inspired The Spirit of Vanderlaan?
Ah, my favorite question! The inspiration for this novel came from a college student when we learned that he lived in a dorm room that I had lived in as a student. He and I agreed that a novel in which not one, but several students mysteriously lived in their favorite professor’s former rooms would be great fun as they unravel how and why this “coincidence” happened. Since that student was an excellent writer, I suggested he write the story. He said he didn’t have the time and that I should write it. At first, I dismissed the idea as nonsense – Me? A fiction writer? But when I couldn’t shake the idea, I wrote it! I’ll be forever grateful for his encouragement!
Are your characters or situations based on real people or real situations?
The characters, particularly the students in the story, are composites of students I’ve had over the years. I was careful not to make any of them a direct replica of my students nor the problems they have chatted about in my office.
But several of the situations really happened. For instance, the incident with Samantha taking her dog’s medicine did happen and was as funny in real life. Although, like Samantha, it took me a while to see the humor in it.
I now have a mix of several questions. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
To keep reading and writing. Read in the genre you want to write in and read books on the craft of writing. And then of course, put all that you learn into practice by writing and honing your skill.
How do you deal with criticism or negative reviews?
Being relatively new at writing books, I haven’t had a lot of negative book reviews. A few negative comments for Buried Talents were from those who didn’t seem to understand the purpose of the book, so I was able to let those roll off fairly easily.
I do know that I have occasionally disliked a book that by every objective standard was a very good book. So, I realize that not every book nor author will sit right with everyone. I plan to keep that in mind when reading through the reviews for The Spirit of Vanderlaan. (I might have to tape this question and answer to my mirror, though, just in case!)
Which books or authors have influenced you the most?
Ann B. Ross and Philip Gulley are two authors who have influenced my fiction writing. Like The Spirit of Vanderlaan, their stories humorously depict the warmth and complexity of relationships. By the end of their books, I feel like their characters are my new best friends. Ms. Ross and Mr. Gulley are also exceptionally good at the turn-of-phrase that keeps me laughing throughout. I hope my readers will feel that kind of warmth and familiarity with Samantha and her entourage of students.
My work has also been inspired by those who introduce paranormal elements into the realistic worlds of their characters, specifically: Jodi Picoult’s Keeping Faith, Emma Straub’s This Time Tomorrow, and Fannie’s Flagg’s The Whole Town’s Talking. The possibility that something beyond the physical world is at play, even in ways that go beyond religion, has always fascinated me. I hope my readers will find the same intrigue of possibilities in my novels.
What do you want readers to take away from your writing?
Entertainment. I want my novels to be refreshing and fun, something that makes you laugh or think about relationships or life in a slightly different way. I think Samantha and her entourage of students do that for readers because they do that for me.
Let’s look forward. What are you working on next?
I’m working on Vanderlaan’s sequel, The Hayes Spirit, where we’ll follow Samantha and her students through more hijinks. Specifically, Samantha discovers that her deceased grandfather lived under a different name before marrying her grandmother. As she and her lively entourage explore possible motives for such a secret, clues arise from rather impossible sources, including Grandpa himself. So far, it’s fun writing, and I believe Vanderlaan fans will love it!
Her bio:
Dr. Susan Harris Howell is a psychologist and retired university professor who taught and mentored students for over
thirty years. Her novel, The Spirit of Vanderlaan, draws on that career to capture the warmth between a psychology professor and the assortment of personalities which inhabit her office.
Her first book, Buried Talents, focuses on the subtle ways women are discouraged from entering male-dominated occupations. Through her writing and speaking, her passion is to free others from unnecessary restrictions so they can step into their best life.
Susan and her husband have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc.
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I hope you enjoyed getting to know Susan Harris Howell and hearing about her journey, inspirations, and latest cozy release, The Spirit of Vanderlaan. If you haven’t added this to your TBR yet, now’s the time—trust me, you won’t want to miss it. 💖
You can connect with Susan Harris Howell here:
📚 Website: https://susanharrishowell.com
📱 Socials:Instagram: www.instagram.com/susan_h_howell/
Email List & Monthly Blog: https://susanharrishowell.substack.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/susanhowellwriter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22175282.Susan_Harris_Howell
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-harris-howell
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Harris-Howell/author/B09JL6T1RX?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1723819866&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
🛒 Grab her books: https://amzn.to/3HMNV09
Thank you for joining me in spotlighting a fellow author who’s giving us all the feels. Stay tuned for more author features, book talk, and behind-the-scenes goodness.
Until next time—keep reading, keep swooning! ✨📚