0:00
/
47:50
Transcript
0:01
SPEAKER 1
Hi, everyone. Welcome to Creative Inspired Happy, a podcast about incredibly successful writers and how they rose out of obscurity to build fulfilling careers. I'm your host, Evelyn Skye, New York Times bestselling author and incorrigible optimist. On this podcast, we dig into both the artistic and business sides of being a writer to gain insight
0:20
into how these superstars became who they are today. And with each episode, you'll learn something new that helps you feel a little more creative, inspired or happy. I am so pleased to end our 2024 podcast season with an author who is living the dream of many writers.
0:36
My guest today is Suzanne Young, New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 books. She's also written a novel with a rock star. But the dream I alluded to is that last year, Suzanne packed her bags, sold her house and moved to Italy, where she now spends her days writing under the Italian sun and hosting writing

Running Away to Italy with New York Times Bestselling Author Suzanne Young

+ Going on book tour with a rock star

Hello, Protagonists!

I'm so pleased to end our 2024 podcast season with an author who is living the dream of many writers.

My guest today is Suzanne Young, New York Times author of over 20 novels, including The Program series. She's also written a novel with a rock star!

But the dream I alluded to is that last year, Suzanne packed her bags, sold her house, and moved to Italy, where she now spends her days writing under the Italian sun and hosting writing retreats in gorgeous villas from Tuscany to Venice.

NYT Bestselling Author Suzanne Young

Today, we talk about:

  • tips for weathering the ups and downs of publishing so you can have a long career,

  • going on book tour with Blink-182 singer Tom DeLonge,

  • her decision to move to Italy,

  • designing the "Writing in Italy" retreats,

  • D.I.Y. tips for how you can create your own great writing retreat (closer to home),

  • and so much more!

I hope you enjoy the show! (scroll down for Suzanne’s Italian writing retreat photos).

Video version: Click on the video above to watch now!

  • Captions and transcripts are available for all video episodes. (There’s a button on each episode that makes this easy for you).

Audio version:


Want more of Suzanne or Writing in Italy?

Here are some gorgeous photos from some of the writing retreats Suzanne has hosted in Italy:

Suzanne Young is the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of The Program series. Originally from New York, Suzanne is a dual US and Italian citizen, currently living in the breathtaking Veneto region of Italy. She has published more than 20 novels, including Girls with Sharp Sticks, In Nightfall, and What Stays Buried.

When not writing, Suzanne is a high school English teacher and the founder of Writing in Italy, hosting retreats throughout Italy. You can also find Suzanne and her three photogenic dogs on Instagram at @authorsuzanneyoung.

Share CREATIVE. INSPIRED. HAPPY with Evelyn Skye

Discussion about this video

I want to read her books now and go to Italy one day and do a retreat. It sounds wonderful! Thanks so much, Evelyn for this interview.

Expand full comment

I also want to run off to Italy for a retreat! I love how carefully she thinks about planning the perfect writing retreat, you know?

Expand full comment

Yes! It sounds like an amazing experience and in a beautiful place. I've never been to Italy and now I have the perfect reason to go someday in the future.

Expand full comment

This is not my "space" (aka, not a genre I know anything about)--which is why I LOVED this interview! Every discussion you host offers new insights...and btw--I ADORE risk takers--reaching out to editors (even though conventional wisdom says don't)--moving to Italy...all of it. Courage IS a rock star trait!

Expand full comment

oh my gosh, this is the loveliest note to start my new year off with, Diana, thank you! And I agree with you about Suzanne and risk-takers in general. So inspirational! (Love what you said about her courage being a rock star trait!)

Wishing you the happiest beginning to 2025!

Expand full comment

And happy, healthy wishes of abundance and joy back to you!

Expand full comment

Oh, wow - so excited to listen! I met Suzanne at the Kentucky Book Festival years ago and she is wonderful. I'm a huge fan of The Program series. It would be a dream to participate in one of these writing retreats. I signed up for updates on them just for inspiration. Thank you both!

Expand full comment

How wonderful that this interview brought Suzanne back into your life in an unexpected way!

Expand full comment

It's so wonderful how you showcase and uplift other authors in your emails. I know what a fiercely competitive industry it is and how hard it must be to avoid the "I'm looking out for #1" mentality. Way to set an example for the whole industry 💜

Expand full comment

awww thank you, Eddie!! This means a lot to me! Happy holidays to you!

Expand full comment