In 2003, Susan took first place at the Southeastern Writers Association convention for a novel she wrote entitled, When Darkness Fell On Yesterplace.

     Susan was awarded first place in the category of nonfiction category at the 2003 Southeastern Writers Association convention for an essay from her book entitled Memories of Yesterplace.

     In the 2004 Southeastern Writers Association convention, she won first place in nonfiction with an essay titled "The Great Possum Hunt of 1953”.