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[Links] | | I write novels, nonfiction books, and articles, as well as being a social psychologist with expertise in relationships. I’m also a writing consultant and online instructor. My latest books are: Online, I’m Dr. Susan, the Love Advice columnist for AOL’s Netscape.com. I’m also the Second Marriages columnist for CouplesCompany.com. I’ve had more than 800 articles published on psychological and other topics for such publications as Psychology Today, Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Magazine, USA Today, Child, Woman’s World, and Parenting. (Many of these articles are available for sale as REPRINTS.) I’ve also published travel articles, personal essays, advice columns, and a sprinkle of poetry. (See some of my book reviews in BUNNYAPE REVIEWS.) I’ve won awards for my writing. Also see Testimonials for a variety of student/client comments. PERSONAL Born in Brooklyn, I spent most of my teens in Sacramento, and then settled in Los Angeles where I got my B.A. in Middle Eastern Studies at UCLA. I got married, had two kids, and went back to school for my Ph.D. at what is now Fielding Graduate University. Now I live in Los Angeles with my husband, the poet Stephen Perry. We have no pets other than a lot of whimsical bunnies made of a variety of materials. Stephen’s rose garden is a favorite neighborhood place to stop and point and ooh and aah.
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EDUCATION:  | Ph.D. - Human Development - Fielding Graduate University (formerly The Fielding Institute), 1996 | | M.A. - Administration of Human Development Programs - Pacific Oaks College, 1978 | | Social Welfare Certificate - U.C.L.A., 1976 | | B.A. - U.C.L.A., 1968 |
AWARDS: | Outstanding Service Article Award (’98) - American Society of Journalists and Authors | | First Place Award of Excellence (Feature Writing, ’89) - Parenting Publications of America, judged by Medill School of Journalism (Northwestern U.) | | Best Nonfiction Award for 1991 (for Playing Smart) - Minn. Independ. Publishers Assoc. | | Parents’ Choice Award (for Playing Smart) - Approved Parenting Shelf | | Benjamin Franklin Award Finalist, 1991 (for Playing Smart) - Publishers Mktg. Assoc. | | Catch the Spirit is included on the “New York Public Library 72nd Annual Books for the Teen Age List” |
EXPERIENCE: Author: | Loving in Flow: How the Happiest Couples Get and Stay That Way (Sourcebooks, 2003) | | Playing Smart: The Family Guide to Enriching, Offbeat Learning Activities for Ages 4-14 (Free Spirit Publishing, Revised Edition, 2001) [see awards for first edition listed above] | | Catch the Spirit: Teen Volunteers Tell How They Made a Difference (Franklin Watts, Fall 2000) | | Writing in Flow: Keys to Enhanced Creativity (Writer’s Digest Books, 1999; paperback 2001) | | Sharing Family Time: Simple Ways to Make the Most of Busy Days (AAL, 1998) | | Fun Time, Family Time (Avon, 1996) | | The 12-Month Pregnancy (with Barry Herman, MD) (Lowell House, 1992; revised, 1997) | | The Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Children (co-author) (Rodale Press, 1994) | | Contributor, Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul on Tough Stuff (HCI, 2001) - NY Times bestseller | | Contributor, Parent School: Simple Lessons from the Leading Experts (Evans, 2002) | | Contributor, Faces of the Muse: How People Think, Work, and Act Creatively in Diverse Domains (Erlbaum, 2003) | | Contributor, Cupid’s Wild Arrows (Bergli Books [Switzerland], 1992) | | Contributor, Parents’ Guide to Raising a Gifted Child (Little, Brown, 1985) |
Freelance Writer / Journalist: | Sold more than 800 articles since 1980 to national and regional publications, including Psychology Today, Parenting, Seventeen, Woman’s World, Los Angeles Times, etc. Specialties: psychology, relationships, child development, education, sexuality, travel, advice, reviews. | | Former Contributing Editor - United Parenting Publications | | Contributing Editor - Valley Magazine | | Columnist - Netscape.com | | Columnist - CouplesCompany.com | | Columnist - Working World | | Former Book Review Columnist (“What’s in Store”) - ASJA Monthly | | Judge for Parenting Publications of America annual awards (parenting books) | | Former Contributing Editor - Woman’s Own | | Former Contributing Editor - Child Magazine | | Former Essay Columnist (“Connections”) - Glendale News-Press, 5/94-5/95 | | Former West Coast Stringer - USA Today | | Former Judge for Parents’ Choice annual awards (software, children’s magazines) |
Editor: | Book: The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids (Free Spirit, 1991), Winner, Parents’ Choice award | | Magazine: Hollywood Post, from inception (discontinued by publisher). Coordinated staff and freelancers, wrote articles, oversaw layout and design. 1/83-6/83. | | Magazine: L.A. Parent. Wrote articles, assigned and edited freelance submissions, managed ad salespeople, sold ads, supervised county-wide distribution. Publication doubled in pages, circulation, and percentage of ads under my direction. 1/81-7/82. |
Online Columnist: Writing Consultant: | Book and article consulting on an hourly or per-project basis. | | Indiv./corporate clients: Texaco, Resources For Educators, Aid Assoc. for Lutherans. |
Teacher: | U.C.L.A. Extension, U.C. Irvine, California State University Fullerton Writers’ Programs, - Instructor - 5/98 - 2003. | | Writer’s Digest Online Workshops - Instructor - 2000-current. | | Woodbury University (Burbank)- Adjunct Faculty - Psychology -5/98 - 2003. | | Glendale College Community Services / Learning Tree University / Santa Monica College Extension - Taught nonfiction writing classes for adults - 1990 - 1995. | | “Playing Smart” Workshops - various locations. 3/91-12/93. | | Gifted Children’s Association of Los Angeles. Developed and taught innovative courses in human relations, creativity, science, reading. 2/78-6/79. | | Discovery House School. Teacher/Director - Developed unique, highly successful early childhood program. 2/77-6/79. |
Speaker: | Panelist at “Beyond the Book,” L.A. County Museum of Art, sponsored by Copyright Clearance Center - 4/25/03 | | “Not for Writers Only: Enhancing Creativity and Getting in Flow” - Left Coast Crime Conference, Pasadena, CA – 3/1/03 | | Panelist - LA Times Festival of Books (4/00 - televised; 4/01) | | PEN West’s panel: Seduce Your Muse (4/00) | | Presented plenary talk on Creating in Flow at Optimal Functioning Conference, Palm Springs, 2/3/00. | | Keynote Speaker - Independent Writers of Southern CA - Freelance Boot Camp - 2/27/99 | | Keynote Speaker - San Mateo Perinatal Council - “Value of Play” - 5/99 | | Nat’l. Writers Assoc. -“Flow”; 8/21/99; Romance Writers of America - “Flow” - 9/19/99; and numerous other talks on Flow | | Pasadena City College Writers Forum - “Writing for Parents” - 3/11/95 | | American Soc.of Journalists & Authors Conference - 2/19/94, 2/18/95, 2/10/96, 11/1/97 | | Guest - UCLA Extension class on reporting - “Being a Freelancer” - 11/18/92 | | Guest - UCLA Extension class - “Writing Self-Help Books.” - 2/29/92 | | Guest - Creative Writing class, Long Beach City College - 5/15/91, 3/17/98 | | Orange Writers Circle - “The Life of an Author.” - 4/27/91 | | Independent Writers of So. CA - “Getting the First Book Published.” - 2/25/91 |
Professional Affiliations: | American Society of Journalists and Authors | | PEN
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Television Appearances: | “Inside Edition” – nationally syndicated newsmagazine | | KCBS, KCOP – discussing relationships on the news | | CSPAN2 (Book TV) - Book Festival panel talk televised | | Connie Martinson Talks Books (Southern California local cable) | | KABC-TV News | | KTLA Weekend Gallery | | Southern California local cable - “The American Dream” - “Make Learning Fun” |
Radio Interviews: | Dozens of appearances for both Loving in Flow and Writing in Flow, including numerous NPR stations nationwide. | | KABC-Talk Radio - “Spotlight on the Community” | | KFWB (Los Angeles) - “The 4 Predictors of Divorce” | | CNN “Health Watch” - family activities | | “Woman to Woman” - syndicated from NY - family activities | | KCBS (Bay Area, CA) - family interactions over the holidays | | KTALK (Utah) - “Interviews & Interactions” - family fun | | “The Parent’s Journal with Bobbi Conner” - syndicated - family life/activities | | Daybreak USA (Dallas) - family holiday activities |
Featured as an Expert on Relationships/Human Development/Psychology: | Cosmopolitan - “Girlfriend Styles,” “Love Mistakes,” “Bond with Your Man” | | Shape – Guest expert for Q&A re: sexuality | | Bridal Guide – “You’re a Mrs. Somebody Now!” | | YM – “Out of Control Crushes” | | Us Weekly – for various articles on relationship issues related to celebrities | | First – “Stoke Your Soul Mate’s Fire” | | Woman’s World – expert advice for “The Inner You” column | | Redbook – “Raise a Creative Kid” | | Women’s Health & Fitness – “Repairing Broken Trust” | | Teen – “Teens Who Dare to Care” | | Working Mother – “Little Love Rituals” | | Los Angeles Times – “I’m OK and You’re OK, Are There Any Bad Guys?” and “Renewal: Changing Neighborhoods” and “Giving Fitness Gifts” | | Jackson Citizen Patriot (“Today’s Relationships” column) – “When Women Go Back to School” | | Orange Coast – “Just Friends?” | | The Ten Smartest Decisions a Woman Can Make After Forty (Renaissance Books, 2001) by Tina B. Tessina, Ph.D. | | The Balanced Bride (Contemporary Books, 2002) by Leah Ingram | | Yes You Can! Raise Home-Grown Financially Savvy Kids (2003) by James Stowers & Jack Jonathan | | Parenting - “Travel-Free Vacations” | | Ladies’ Home Journal - “Preserving Memories” & “Trading Places” | | Sesame Street Parents - “Getting into the Activity Act” | | Your Perfect Weight (Rodale, ’95) by Linda Konner | | Daily News (Los Angeles): “Pediatrics, Zukow-style,” cover story | | American Baby: “Smart Ideas” | | Los Angeles Independent: “Learning Can Be Fun” | | Hartford Courant: “Family Affairs,” (syndicated), “Creative Games Help Children Stretch Minds” | | Suburban Journals of St. Louis: syndicated column, “ABC’s for Parents” | | Working Parents Newsletter (UCLA): “All Children are Creative” | | “Child Life”: syndicated column | | Kidswatch - newsletter of KQED-TV in S.F., CA: “Pretend Play” | | Dallas Family: Families Who Do Unusual Activities | | Minneapolis Star-Tribune - Sunday feature on summer activities |
BUY BOOKS |   
a SIGNED book from the author (): Loving in Flow (softcover, list price $14.95), $12
Loving in Flow for Singles (e-book), $4.99
Writing in Flow (hardcover, list price $19.99), $13
Writing in Flow (softcover, list price $14.99), $9
Playing Smart (softcover, list price $17), $9 |
 | I’m available for consulting on various aspects of the writing process. I can help you focus your ideas for articles and book proposals, and then help you write and revise them so that editors are much more likely to take you and your work seriously. My 20-plus years as a full-time professional freelance article writer and book author can save you a lot of time and help you avoid unnecessary rejections. My consulting clients have included memoir writers and novelists, psychotherapists, article writers, an essayist, and organizations such as Texaco, The Aid Association for Lutherans, and Resources for Educators. From premise to proposal, from polishing to publication and promotion – I can help. I charge $75 an hour, with special arrangements negotiable for long-term, ongoing, or special projects. See Testimonials; ask for references. |
 Loving in Flow for Singles: How to Become Part of a Happy Couple is a new e-book adapted from part of Loving in Flow, and it’s available for $4.99. (See PayPal box in Buy Books above.)
| BunnyApe Reviews is a page containing reviews of relationship books, as well as books on writing, creativity, and parenting. | | Loving FAQ is a page where you can read some of the answers Dr. Susan has given to relationship questions. |
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