Carroll Ann Susco
Carroll Ann Susco is an experienced writer and former instructor based in Alexandria, Virginia. With roughly 20 years of teaching experience and over 40 years devoted to writing, she has cultivated a sustained focus on nonfiction and autobiographical work, although she does write fiction. Her publications include more than 55 stories and essays, notably pieces in The Sun Magazine, Cutbank, and Asylum Magazine, and her writing consistently explores personal and family stories through memory, sensory detail, and reflective insight. Carroll’s work emphasizes perseverance, quiet focus, and the importance of telling stories that have not yet been shared. She brings to light many topics including the world of mental illness: the stigma, the struggle, and the hope. Carroll began her academic journey with undergraduate studies in writing and later returned to graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, completing a three-year MFA program in fiction. During this time, she built a supportive writers’ community that continues to inspire and guide her work. Prior to that, she gained professional experience in publishing, including proofreading, editing, and production. Her time at the American Geophysical Union offered her many opportunities. She has also held a full-time teaching position at Halifax Community College in North Carolina, balancing classroom instruction with a long-term writing practice while managing significant family caregiving responsibilities. Throughout her career, Carroll has maintained a commitment to exploring the human experience through nonfiction and autobiographical storytelling. Her writing philosophy embraces the way one person or small group can reflect the human condition, how literature can transform, and how nonfiction and fiction are usually both, making truth claims in a murky reality. She has written about her personal journey to help others who are suffering and for those who know someone who is. Based in the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore area, she continues to produce work that illuminates family life, mental health, and the nuanced stories that connect us, offering readers insight, empathy, and hope.
• George Mason University - BA, Creative Writing
• University of Pittsburgh - MA
• Three articles published in The Sun
What do you attribute your success to?
Hard work, commitment, persistence and perseverance through rejection and setbacks are keys to the successful writer. Carroll Ann was unwilling to give up, striving for the writing life where one is able to maintain and grow in writing skills and understanding of the world while working on quality literary projects. The community and training from graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh was important in shaping her goals and understanding of how to maneuver the writing life. The patience and criticism from the professors and colleagues began the process of honing her writing technique and opening writing doors. The University of Pittsburgh also funded her education and gave her teaching experience and training so she would have a career option in teaching. The satisfaction from classroom teaching and mentoring students to think critically inspired her to work with students in a variety of ways. She successfully created numerous ways to support herself: teaching, publishing, and others since literary fiction rarely pays the bills.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Toni Morrison's counsel is: 'If you can't find the story you want to read, write it.' Carroll Ann agrees and states she spent many years researching psychology and autobiographical books before she found a place for her work, uncharted territory. Also, she was influenced by the book The Writing Life, which is a subject not often discussed. It's a life of solitude where it's best to unplug from media often. Advice she once received stays with her: read, write, live.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be mindful about pursuing an MFA solely for job prospects. Markets have changed, and the market is not easy to break into. Teaching jobs are scarce, and debt from attending school might put you behind the eight ball. That said many of my colleagues went on to teach college level courses and journalism. If you have something important to say, tell it and persevere.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: the publishing market has contracted, AI and other market forces have reduced traditional outlets and reading habits, and MFA programs no longer reliably lead to jobs. Opportunity: original personal narratives still matter and can reach readers; small and niche publications remain important outlets. Explore the small presses for example. Submittable, Poets & Writers and Duotrobe offer insight into these markets.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Perseverance, dedication to craft and quiet focus, caregiving and responsibility toward family, and the discipline to protect creative time.
Locations
Private Company
Alexandria, VA 22314