PHOTO: Author Susanna Allen, photographed by Kieran Harnett, brings wit and wonder to every world she creates—whether historical, fantastical, or deeply personal.
Shapeshifters, Self-Discovery, and the Versatility of a Multi-Genre Author
Susanna Allen discusses blending Regency romance with shapeshifters, her memoir-writing journey, the influence of theatre and horses on her craft, and how she balances creativity across multiple genres and personas.
paranormal with a signature style that has made her one of the most intriguing voices in genre fiction today. As the author of The Shapeshifters of the Beau Monde series, Allen’s imaginative storytelling and sharp narrative voice have captivated readers who crave both elegance and adventure. Writing also as Susan Conley, she has authored a memoir and contemporary novels, demonstrating a remarkable ability to navigate across genres with ease and authenticity.
Speaking with Reader’s House Magazine, Allen opened up about her creative process, the challenges of switching literary styles, and how her eclectic background—from theatre criticism to equestrianism—continues to shape her writing.
A masterful storyteller, Susanna Allen crafts vivid worlds with humor, heart, and intelligence across historical, contemporary, and memoir genres.
Though she moves between historical fantasy, memoir, and contemporary fiction, Allen doesn’t find the transitions between genres difficult. “They are so separate in my mind, such entirely different worlds, that I don’t have a problem going between them,” she explained. Her Regency voice was refined early, thanks to a high school immersion in Jane Austen, while years of blogging and journalism developed her tone in contemporary writing. Living in Ireland has also subtly influenced her sentence rhythm, helping her capture the flow of older English diction while maintaining her American sensibility.
Allen’s roots in theatre criticism and feature writing have also played a crucial role in her evolution as a storyteller. Writing daily honed both her literary and editorial skills, with a particular strength in selecting impactful quotes and shaping narratives. “I’d argue that my editorial skills grew the most,” she said. That love of performance art has made its way into her fiction as well, with a troupe of traveling players featured in her novel A Duke at the Door.
The idea to merge Regency romance with shapeshifters came to Allen while working on her memoir, Many Brave Fools, which chronicled her journey of self-discovery through horseback riding. During her research into neuroscience and recovery, she found her escape in reading romance novels with shapeshifter protagonists—particularly those involving dukes. “A title, A Wolf in Duke’s Clothing, dropped down out of the ether and into my brain,” she recalled. That spark became the first book in her shapeshifter series.
The lessons she’s learned from horse riding now ripple through her creative life. “Everything I’ve learned in the saddle and on the ground around horses now informs my life,” she reflected. Patience, presence, and the understanding that progress matters more than perfection have helped her grow as both a person and a writer.
Balancing her dual identities as Susanna Allen and Susan Conley has offered a creative duality—playful and serious, lighthearted and contemplative. “I feel more like Susanna Allen lately,” she admitted, “but in both instances, I do have a sense of humour that shines through.”
Her latest release, A Duke at the Door, continues the journey of shapeshifters in the elegant yet unpredictable world of the Beau Monde. The story centers on Tabitha, an independent 35-year-old apothecary returning to England after years on the continent, and Alwyn, a duke who has endured the trauma of captivity in his lion form. As they help each other heal, the novel also revisits familiar faces from earlier in the series—and introduces a surprise twist involving an unknown shapeshifter in their circle.
Blending heartfelt emotion, sharp wit, and otherworldly allure, Susanna Allen is redefining historical romance for a new generation of readers.
Source: Reader’s House Interview with Susanna Allen
