SUZETTE D. HARRISON
Award-winning author Suzette D. Harrison grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Turning her love of reading into a rising literary career, Suzette was first published when her poetry was included in a creative journal in junior high school. While she loves happy endings, Harrison’s work is dedicated to characters who are flawed yet resilient and open to redemption. She loves crafting storylines with intricate layers and depth, often leaving readers with unexpected plot twists. Her writing has been described as “lyrical” and “riveting.” Harrison pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as literary legends who inspired her creativity. However, Suzette emphatically states that it was Dr. Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Literally. This bestselling author holds a culinary degree in Pastry & Baking and is busy cooking up her next novel...in between batches of cookies.
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Featured Work
Will she ever see freedom for her babies?
Mississippi, 1848. Enslaved midwife Zinnie is forced to walk two thousand miles behind the slavers’ wagons, her newborn strapped to her back and her two little girls clinging to her hands. Through pain, cruelty and unimaginable hardship, she holds on to one hope: keeping her children safe. And when they cross state lines, Zinnie sees a chance to fight for her family’s freedom…
Texas, present day. Like generations of women before her, Lynette is trying to build a better future for her child. Then she discovers a sapphire brooch hidden in her grandmother's attic... As she uncovers the extraordinary story of an ancestor she never knew about, can Lynette unlock the strength she needs now more than ever?
Inspired by the remarkable true story of Biddy Mason, an African American woman and midwife, this sweeping, emotional novel celebrates the courage of a woman who fought for her family’s freedom and saved countless lives. Perfect for readers of Amy Harmon, Olivia Hawker and Marie Benedict.
Five Questions for Suzette D. Harrison
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Bridget “Biddy” Mason inspired the creation of my historical protagonist, Zinnie, whose life and experiences were crafted to reflect and honor her. In 1848, Biddy Mason was an enslaved woman who was required to walk from Mississippi to California when her enslavers–who were Mormons–fled the southern US because of religious persecution. At the time of departure Miss Biddy had three daughters–ages ten, four, and a newborn. Imagine walking from one side of the country to the next while keeping your children safe and your family intact. Somehow she did. She also impacted California law when, in 1856, she petitioned for and gained her emancipation and that of the other enslaved members within the household. After gaining her freedom Biddy Mason became a nurse, an owner of real estate, and a philanthropist whose net worth was over three-million-dollars (in today’s estimations) at the time of her death. She was pivotal in the building of what is now downtown Los Angeles. An amazing woman whose story deserves to be known, she absolutely inspired my character, Zinnie, in With Her Baby on Her Back.
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There’s a particular scene towards the middle of the book that was absolutely devastating to write. I’ll avoid spoiler alerts so that readers who haven’t read it yet won’t have the moment ruined for them. But Zinnie has a sister, Lovie, whose outcome I didn’t see when first drafting the story. Suffice it to say Lovie’s experience was one of the most difficult scenes I’ve ever written. I wrestled with it. I walked away from it. But as a writer I’m committed to letting a story flow naturally, authentically the way it desires and dictates. I had to remind myself of that when I couldn’t escape a gentle, inner nudging asking me to honor Lovie’s arc and path. In the end, I did. I sat, wrote the scene, then walked away and wept.
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Research. Outline plot. And research some more.
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Dr. Maya Angelou for writing I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. I re-read it in my early twenties. It took me from a dark place I was experiencing and propelled me into fiction writing.
Bernice McFadden who wrote my absolute favorite novel Sugar.
Dianne McKinney-Whetstone for being my favorite author ever, whose rich scenes and gentle spotlighting of mental health issues within our communities creates some of the most tender yet beautifully poignant stories.
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Lobster, asparagus and broccolini, garlic loaded mashed potatoes–okay brown rice since I’m eating healthier these days. And frozen yogurt with all the toppings (hey, it’s a celebration) for dessert.
