Author's Bio and Credentials
Susan Alcorn has hiked extensively in Spain
and France. In 2001, she and her husband Ralph hiked 400 miles
across northern Spain on the famous Camino de Santiago a
traditional pilgrimage route. From that trip has come
Camino Chronicle: Walking to Santiago (June 2006), which
combines the author's narrative with legends, history, and
cultural information about the trail. Camino Chronicle has recently been named a finalist for the prestigious 2007 Ben Franklin award for Best Travel Essay.
The author's long distance hikes have continued. In spring
2004 and fall 2005, she and Ralph hiked a total of 350 miles
of the LePuy route (aka GR65), one of the four major French
pilgrimage trails that leads into the Spanish Camino de
Santiago. In September 2006, they hiked 160 miles in France
and Spain, completing their walk of the Le Puy route to
Santiago. In addition they backpack about 200 miles a year
section-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and have completed more than 1,100 miles of the national scenic trail that runs through the mountain ranges of California, Oregon, and Washington (Mexico border to Canada) for more than 2,650 miles. Alcorn is the author of four books published previously,
including an oral history based history of the city of
Richmond, CA.
Prior to this latest book Alcorn published We're in the
Mountains, Not Over the Hill: Tales and Tips from Seasoned
Women Backpackers (2003). In this earlier book, the author
describes how she began backpacking at age 48 with the goal of
climbing Mt. Whitney (California), but with little idea what
she was getting into. Her pack was heavier than anything ever
before to rest on her shoulders, she was in an oxygen-rare
environment that made her stop every fifty yards to catch her
breath (and let her pulse stop its pounding in her ears), and
she met a bear that hadn't read the sign "above timberline, no
bears allowed."
We're in the Mountains, Not Over the Hill opens with the author describing her adventures into the Sierra – at a time in her life when most of her acquaintances were choosing to buy recliners rather than backpacks. She describes the bear encounter, the kindness of strangers helping replenish food supplies, the lightning storm on Forester Pass, and the culminating climb to the top of Whitney – at 14,996' the highest point in the lower 48. Susan has continued to backpack in the Sierra. In 2001, she and Ralph completed their last section of the John Muir Trail -- the 221-mile trail that runs from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney through the highest mountains in California.
The Alcorns are Oakland residents who have lived in the Bay
Area most of their lives. Susan attended local schools, and
graduated from U.C. Berkeley. She returned to school to become
an elementary school teacher and after earning her teaching
credential from Cal State University, Hayward in 1986, she
taught (primarily) 5th graders for more than 15 years.
Nowadays, when she is not hiking, she enjoys spending time
with friends, caring for her three grandchildren, or dancing
Zydeco at Alameda’s Eagles Hall.
Professional writers and publishers organizations:
Susan Alcorn is a member of several writers' and publishers' organizations:
BAIPA (Bay Area Independent Publishers Assoc.). Meets in San Rafael, CA. Monthly meetings feature guest speaker, q & a session, and networking. They also offer a member's forum and shared exhibit opportunities. www.baipa.net
BATW (Bay Area Travel Writers). Regional professional travel writers' association
www.batw.org
California Writers Club CWC-Berkeley. Group meets on the second Saturday monthly with featured speaker on topics of interest to the writing community.
Left Coast Writers™ is a community of writers who meet monthly at Book Passage in Corte Madera, CA. The program usually includes a speaker (author, editor, publisher, agent) with a networking session following. www.leftcoastwriters.com
PMA, the Independent Book Publishers Association. A non-profit trade association of independent publishers. More than 4,200 members. Offers educational materials, publisher directory, combined book exhibit opportunities, newsletter, trade discounts, etc. www.oma-online.org
SPAN, Small Press Association of North American. The non-profit trade association founded by Marilyn (author of Shameless Marketing for Shameless Brazen Hussie) and Tom Ross. 1,100 members. Annual conference, educational opportunities, publisher directory, discounts on shipping, supplies, insurance, etc. www.spannet.org |
