Bio:

Susan VanHecke is an author of books for children and adults. Her titles for young people include the picture book An Apple Pie For Dinner (Marshall Cavendish, 2009; Rock 'N' Roll Soldier (HarperTeen, 2009), a war memoir for young adults written with Vietnam veteran Dean Ellis Kohler, foreword by Graham Nash; and Raggin' Jazzin' Rockin': A History of American Musical Instrument Makers (Boyds Mills Press, 2011), nonfiction for middle grades.

Susan's books for adults include Race With The Devil: Gene Vincent's Life In The Fast Lane (St. Martin's Press, 2000), adapted into an award-winning screenplay; Three Steps To Heaven: The Eddie Cochran Story (Hal Leonard, 2003), with Bobby Cochran; and Roadwork: Rock And Roll Turned Inside Out (Hal Leonard, 2007)/Raising Hell On The Rock 'N' Roll Highway (Omnibus UK, 2009), with rock photographer Tom Wright, foreword by Pete Townshend of the Who. Of Roadwork, Barnes & Noble Booksellers CEO Steve Riggio said it's "probably the best book on rock & roll ever published."

Susan's writing has also appeared in numerous publications, including Old House Journal, Spin, Creem and Goldmine magazines and The Washington Post. For fifteen years, she was an arts and entertainment reporter for The Virginian Pilot, the major daily newspaper of southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Susan is the children's market columnist at Authorlink.com, one of the largest and longest-running online publishing communities.

Susan holds a BFA degree in film and television production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has worked in the fields of publicity, promotion, and advertising. She is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

When Susan's not writing or researching, she's caring for her two children, working in her garden, or renovating the historic home she shares with her family and dog, an English Setter named Crusoe.

Writer
PAL
Member since 2005
Region: Mid Atlantic (D.C./Virginia)

Contact Information

Current Location:   VA
Website:  http://www.susanvanhecke.com

Published In Children's Market: Yes
Available for Speaking Engagements? Yes