Author Archives: Susan Hanfield

Step back in time to Manhattan, New York, 1869 and meet JESSICA – out today!!

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Jessica

Manhattan, New York, 1869 – I have always loved time period pieces, in all media forms, whether it be a novel, a piece of music or a movie. Perhaps it’s my classical theatre background, I’m not sure. What I do know, is that it was with great joy that I returned from Manhattan, New York, 2015 to learn the wonderful news that I would be narrating JESSICA by Donna Mabry for Dreamscape Media.

I have loved working on this first book in the Manhattan Series and I’m so excited to celebrate today’s audiobook release day of JESSICA.

Here is a short descripton to give you an idea as to what this beautiful story is all about. Jessica grabbed my heart from the moment my eyes met the very first page. I hope she’ll do the same to yours. Enjoy!

“Wealthy heiress Jessica McCarthy desperately wants to be married and have a family. A rogue and a scoundrel, Zachary Belk is the only one who has proposed. Even though her father warns her that Zachary won’t make a good husband, she marries him. She soon discovers that her father was right. When the stock market crashes, and both families are left penniless, Zachary seeks a new fortune on a property he owns in another Manhattan, in Kansas. They are only there a short time before he deserts her. With a new baby, Jessica must learn to survive and support her family in an unfamiliar frontier land with only her faith and determination to guide her.”

A Magical Night, An Amazing Month & A New Series

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Susan at the 2015 AudiesI can’t believe that the 2015 Audie Awards took place a month ago already! Such an incredible evening and one I won’t soon forget. I was elated to be both a nominee this year for STARS and also deeply honored to be asked to present at the 2015 Audie Award Ceremony.  Our host, author Jack Gantos, was an absolute delight and so much fun to play off of during the ceremony.  My heartfelt thanks to Skyboat Media, Audible Studios and to the Audio Publisher’s Association for such a magical night!

It’s been an amazing month since returning from New York!  I’ve been busy with a new series that I’m narrating for Dreamscape Media.  It’s been great fun and I’m truly loving every minute. I will share more about this captivating book series, soon!

The Audies and Two New Books!

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StarsIt’s been a super busy but exciting month! The 2015 Audie Awards are tonight and I’m thrilled to be nominated for STARS: Original Stories Based On The Songs Of Janis Ian. In addition to being nominated, I am also deeply honored to be presenting at the awards this evening.

On the recording front, I just finished recording a new release called Both Sides Now by Barbara Ferrer.  It’s an incredibly moving book about grief, love and loss.  The print and audiobook version will be released on June 23, 2015.

In addition, I have recorded my second book for author Ryan Skinner, which will also be coming out in June 2015. This is a non-fiction book called Skinwalker Ranch: Tales of the Skinwalker. It is a collection of true to life paranormal experiences that occurred near and around areas of Utah, Phoenix and Nevada.

Lastly, congratulations to all the nominees this year! It’s going to be an exciting night!

Audiobook Narrator Superstar Sunday!! Come see us at Booth 184!

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We’re gearing up for an exciting, fun-filled weekend that you won’t want to miss!!  The award winning production & publishing company, Skyboat Media will be at the LA Times Festival of Books this coming weekend at Booth 184.  On Sunday, April 19th from 10am – 5pm, Skyboat has put together an ah-mazing line-up of Audiobook Narrators available to chat, sign your audiobooks, take photos, answer questions – all of the above! I’m excited to be a part of it.

Bring your audiobooks, or buy some from Skyboat Media (they’ll have lots of goodies on hand) and let the signing begin!! This is going to be such fun and what’s even more awesome – the event is free!!

Here is the narrator signing schedule! I’ll be there at 4:30pm on Sunday.  Can’t wait to see you!10847581_871846322857293_4624839557399778258_o

 

LAST FLIGHT OF THE MERCENARY a comedy of science & love – takes off this Sunday!

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seaplane2I’m looking forward to stepping onto the stage this coming Sunday, April 12th at the Skylight Theatre! My accomplished cast & I will be doing a staged reading of the LAST FLIGHT OF THE MERCENARY, a romantic comedy about string theory, Shakespeare and nights without stars. This charming, witty and engaging new play is written by the very talented Karen Howes and directed by the skillful, Dennis Gersten.  In LAST FLIGHT OF THE MERCENARY, I play fiery Kate Eveland, a scientist committed to creating a time machine that will take her back in time to this one particular moment in her life when she made the wrong choice in love. Perhaps by traveling back in time, Kate can fix her past and thereby live in a happier present? That’s what she’s hoping for and so are we! Time machine, anyone?

LAST FLIGHT OF THE MERCENARY is part of Skylight Theatre’s INKubator Play Reading Series which offers a first glimpse into new projects.

The Four Freedoms and a Short

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For the past few weeks I’ve been working on, what I believe, is going to become a very powerful short film.  In this short, I play the CEO & Owner of a successful advertising agency.  The subject matter, while I’m not able to say too much yet, is incredibly vital and relevant to our current society and is inspired by true events.  I am humbled to have been on a project such as this.

Our outstanding director, Faith Strongheart, assembled an exceptional cast & crew to bring this difficult story to life.  In addition, Faith and our wonderful producer, Michelle Brattson, brought on the skills of a top-notch stunt coordinator for our last day of shooting, as we had some very intricate scenes to capture.

Our stunt coordinator and his team were absolutely amazing!  I definitely have a new appreciation for the work that these folks do.  Wow.  As our stunt team walked us through the choreography, I was immediately reminded how even a tiny, tiny choreographed move needs to be so carefully approached and executed in order to avoid injury.

As always, I am ever so thankful when I have the opportunity to work alongside a dedicated, talented and supportive cast & crew and such was the case with this current film.  I will update again soon, once I’m able to say more.

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Hello New York! STARS is a 2015 Audie Award Finalist!!

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Wow. This has been one exciting day! Today the Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the Finalists for the 2015 Audie Awards Competition that will take place this coming May in New York City.  I’m thrilled to have learned that I am a 2015 Audie Finalist in the Multi-Voiced Performance Category for Stars: Original Stories Based on the Songs of Janis Ian!  I’m beyond excited and so thankful to have had the opportunity to work on this wonderful book, surrounded by such a phenomenal cast with an equally amazing production team.  Many thanks & congratulations go out to Skyboat Media, Janis Ian and to Audible for this incredible opportunity!  Congratulations also to our amazing cast. What an honor it is to be among all of you!

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“Women Destroy Science Fiction” is the Book of Honor at Potlatch24!

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Good news! Lightspeed Magazine’s June 2014 issue of “WOMEN DESTROY SCIENCE FICTION” has been chosen as the Book of Honor at Potlatch 24. 

WDSF is the issue that was high-jacked last June by us women under the awesome leadership of  Christie Yant, Assistant Editor of Lightspeed Magazine. The amazing Gabrielle de Cuir of Skyboat Media was our fantastic Podcast Producer, with Mur Lafferty beautifully doing all of the intros. For my part, aside from being in the company of so many incredibly gifted women, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to narrate Carrie Vaughn’s wonderful short story Salvage.

This issue is packed full of so much wonderful SSF love you won’t want to miss a minute of it! You can check out most of the issue here for free at June 2014 Lightspeed Magazine.  WDSF in it’s entirety can be purchased in various e-reader and print formats at Women Destroy SF.

Potlatch 24 will take place in Seattle, Washington this weekend, Feb 6-8th! So if you live in Seattle or the surrounding area, do try to check out the convention if you can!  It looks like it’s going to be a pretty fabulous weekend.  Here’s a link to all the festivities!  Potlatch24Program.

The Lonely Heart … Just In Time For Valentine’s Day!

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B7PPZ1lCIAE2B4tAlthough not your typical Valentine’s Day love story… The Lonely Heart  is a story sure to capture your heart.  I had so much fun recording this hauntingly disturbing tale, mainly because the writing of Aliette de Bodard is so good!! The story is now available at Lightspeed Magazine and it is a retelling of the “The Painted Skin” from Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio.

The Lonely Heart is graphic, explicit, dark and all the while completely compelling. Part of the fun for me as a narrator is learning about the places & traditions of the characters that I get to portray. To get into the right mind-space for this particular story, I spent a lot of time researching the area of China where the story took place, most specifically the “Ghost City” of old Fengdu. It’s incredibly fascinating! In case you’re interested, here is an article on some of the historic facts & myths of this old city located on the bank of the Yangtze River. Enjoy! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fengdu_Ghost_City

A Step Into The 1930s, A Volatile Court Room And The After-Effects Of A Nuclear Plant Accident …

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This is what you’ll find in the new cut of my Dramatic Demo Reel! The clips included here are from Magdalene, a 1930s period piece directed by Rebecca Cremona. I play Magdalene, a former concert pianist who, no longer being able to continue in her loveless marriage, decides to end her life by taking a lethal dose of Laudanum. Magdalene won a Directors Guild Award, several honorable mentions and also screened at the Cannes Film Festival where Magdalene acquired a seven year distribution deal with Shorts International.  Also, included here, is a clip from Island Song, directed by Richard Massey. I play a no-nonsense judge to the incredibly talented Richard Gant. Island Song won the Audience Award at the Pan African Film Festival! The third piece is from a PSA I did called Accidents which deals with the Chernobyl disaster, directed by Remii Huang. In this clip, I play a therapist dealing with clients who were not able to forgive themselves for their part in this most devastating incident.

Have a look & thanks so much for taking the time!