Susan Clayton-Goldner is an accomplished author and poet whose works span multiple genres, including literary fiction, mystery, and poetry. Her novel "A Bend in the Willow" earned recognition as a Readers' Choice Best Book of 2017, while her Winston Radhauser mystery series has grown to eleven installments, with a twelfth in progress. Her standalone thriller "Tormented" received the Rone Award for best thriller, further cementing her reputation as a versatile storyteller. Clayton-Goldner's poetry collection "A Question of Mortality" was published in 2014, adding to her body of work featured in prestigious anthologies such as "Animals as Teachers and Healers" and "Our Mothers/Ourselves."
Born in New Castle, Delaware, Clayton-Goldner pursued her passion for writing early, majoring in creative writing at the University of Arizona. Before dedicating herself to writing full time, she served as Director of Corporate Relations at the University Medical Center in Tucson. Her writing frequently explores themes of reinvention, redemption, and forgiveness, often drawing from personal experiences, including her complex relationship with her alcoholic father, which inspired "Missing Pieces." After residing on an Oregon horse ranch with her late husband, Andreas, she now divides her time between Tucson and Grants Pass, finding renewed inspiration in both her craft and a rekindled relationship.
Clayton-Goldner's literary achievements include being a two-time winner of the National Writers' Association Novel Award for unpublished works, as well as earning nominations for the Pushcart Prize and the Hemingway Award. When not writing, she channels her creativity into quilting and stained-glass artistry, describing these pursuits as storytelling through alternative mediums. Despite personal losses, she continues to produce compelling narratives, demonstrating resilience and an enduring commitment to her craft.