Manuscript (and other projects)
Theatrical
Husbandry
Lily Schaeffer’s life is lived backstage. As a theatre tech, she understands what it takes to be serially employable in her field: long hours, thick skin, and a lot of laundry. It means saying ‘yes’ to whatever a job requires, which is how she found herself in London at The Lady Faire, a theater in the West End, as the company prepares for their next production, A Gentleman Caller. There, in addition to her official duties, Lily calms the anxious, soothes the prickly, and reassures the vain. As it turns out, her efforts do not go unnoticed. And neither does she.
Lawrence Thackeray’s best moments are lived on stage. His career is going alarmingly well; it’s the rest of his life that needs sorting out. And as he begins to prepare for the biggest role of his life he needs... something. Someone. Someone competent who knows him, who can help him to keep his life organised and to navigate his new obligations. Someone like the immensely capable American girl who helps him into his costume every night.
While Lily agrees to help Lawry prepare for the big screen role sure to catapult him to ultra-stardom, neither of them are prepared for the bond they build over the next half year, or the feelings they have for one another. More than a friendship, more than a working agreement, their alliance survives a host of complications until it’s faced with the ultimate challenge: survival in the real world. Could Lily find happiness living in a supporting role? Could Lawry work without her?
Susan has several other projects currently in the works, including a story about a girl who gets a crush on a big man who lives in a tiny house, a friends-to-lovers tale about two people who just want someone to eat dinner with, and a sequel to Theatrical Husbandry.