UK-based Author Suzi Stembridge has been writing about Greece for more than four decades! Read on to learn more about her and her work.
Q&A with Suzi Stembridge
I am delighted that Suzi agreed to share her story with me. When I decided to write my own story, I discovered her books, and they completely captivated me. From the very first page, I felt like I was transported to Greece, with its rich mythology and fascinating history coming alive. Suzi’s writing style was impeccable, effortlessly blending vivid descriptions and compelling places. Her books made me fall even more in love with Greece and inspired me to explore other Greek-inspired writings.
I was impressed by her success as an author after reading her first book. So, I reached out to her for help. I explained that I was a new writer and needed guidance. Suzi generously offered her time and expertise, providing valuable advice and feedback on my ideas. Her suggestions and encouragement pushed me to improve my writing skills and face the challenges of publishing. With her guidance, my first book was published. I am immensely grateful for her mentorship. It played a vital role in making my dream of becoming a published author a reality.
Thank you, Suzi. I will always be grateful to you.
ABOUT SUZI
Where are you from?
I was born and bred in a small village on the Pennine hills of West Yorkshire near Huddersfield and now live, again on the Pennines, about 15 miles away near Halifax.
Do you have a “day” job?
I retired from our two travel businesses in 2004, which were tour operating, specialising in Greece and a travel agency which covered the world.
TRAVEL TO GREECE
When did you first go to Greece? Why?
I first landed in Greece as a rookie air hostess in 1960. It was almost my first flight and after a few nights in Athens we flew our passengers on to Rhodes for another few days and then on to Crete. In those days Crete had a grass airstrip! It was an incredible experience, and it began a lifelong love affair with Greece.
Have you ever lived in Greece? Where do you live?
Although I have continuously travelled to Greece, often as much as four or five times a year, we have never lived there permanently, perhaps unwisely preferring to live in West Yorkshire, northern England. We even built our own house in remote coastal Arcadia which we kept for ten years. It was a glorious experience, and it was only failing health which made us sell.
What is it about Greece that entranced you?
I will never forget the warm thyme scented air that had wafted down from Mt. Hymettos and rushed into the aircraft cabin when I opened the door as we landed at the old Athens airport (Ellinikon) that first time. The heat, the dust, the vibrancy, the ancient culture and history, the welcoming nature—Filoxenia—of the people, the blue sea and skies, the forests and wild flowers and of course the food, ouzo and wine provide a unique experience not replicated in any other place in the world.
Tell us about your intro to Greek life.
We stayed in Athens centre, close to Syntagma, and ate in tiny Greek tavernas in the Plaka where the atmosphere, food and bouzouki music were amazing, Then we took a taxi down to Mikrolimano near Piraeus and the crazy aircrew I was with chartered a yacht and we sailed to Aegina!
Does Greece feel like home?
Since that first trip Greece has always felt like home. In fact, I was offended when a Greek once called me a foreigner!
WRITING ABOUT GREECE
When did you know you had to write about your experiences?
Because I was busy running our travel businesses it wasn’t until we retired and sold our businesses that I immediately started writing the historical novel, THE GREEK LETTERS QUARTET. In draft I also had CAST A HOROSCOPE which whilst definitely not autobiographical drew on my experiences as aircrew.
Do you write in Greece?
I usually write in Yorkshire, preferring just to relax and absorb the atmosphere when I am in Greece although we travel extensively in the Greek islands and over all the mainland. Of course we take photographs and copious notes. I learnt the trick of note taking from three influential travel writers, Mark Ottaway, Elisabeth de Stroumillo, and Peter Chambers for whom we organised a press trip and who became good friends.
BOOKS
When did you publish your first book? Tell us about it.
When I started writing there were very few novels books set in Greece. My first book was published in 2011. In the end because I was too impatient to go through the process of finding an agent/publisher, I published Cast a Horoscope with a hybrid publisher. They did a very good and professional job, but I realised that if I migrated to self-publishing I would be able to publish almost instantly. Because, for the travel business, where I had to publish glossy illustrated brochures, I found it relatively easy to go from manuscript to ebook or paperback. My husband Simon was an editor and even with the memoirs illustrated with many colour photographs I have been able to format the books on my own, but it is harder than writing the books!
How many books have you published so far?
I have published eight novels (two quartets, THE GREEK LETTERS QUARTET and THE COMING OF AGE QUARTET) and am currently writing a ninth. My three illustrated memoirs are part of the NO ORDINARY GREEK ODYSSEY series. Also, I’ve written a book for dog lovers about a cheeky springer spaniel—this is the only work that doesn’t have a Greek bias or link.
Tell us about your latest book.
My latest book is a novel, and will be set in the Pindus, northern Greece, and in the Peloponnese. It will touch on the history, culture, and natural resources of Greece and as with all my work it will draw heavily on the landscape. In addition, it will have spooky undertones, criminal offences, and interesting complicated characters.
Where do you get your ideas/inspiration?
Sometimes I start with a title, The Scorpion’s Last Tale, a very frightening story set in Corfu; Cast a Horoscope began with ‘write about what you know’; Bright Daffodil Yellow begins as Turkey invades Cyprus in 1974 and is a classic tale of starting with a blank sheet of paper (as is my current work-in-progress). ‘The Greek Letters Quarter’ was born of my frustration because there was very little literature about the Greek War of Independence, a war that drove the Ottomans back from Europe and the last sea battle was fought with wooden sailing ships; the whole quartet developed into a potted history of modern Greece.
For the three volumes of memoirs ‘No Ordinary Greek Odyssey”, I simply wanted to record our amazing and fascinating life travelling throughout Greece from the dawn of modern tourism to the more sophisticated country Greece has become.
I have read a great deal about Greece, influenced by Lawrence Durrell, Dilys Powell, Henry Miller, and Patrick Leigh Fermor; and am currently reading The Greeks by Roderick Beaton. However other modern writers including novelist Kathryn Gauci’s work set in Greece, Pamela Jane Rogers’ Greekscapes, and of course the humourous books from the pen of Peter Barber are always capturing my attention, a few of now so many.
WRAPPING UP
Do you blog? If yes, tell us about it.
I do not blog, I simply don’t have time.
What would you say to someone who is considering a trip to Greece? Or even to move there?
I would say don’t hesitate, but remember if you are considering moving there you will need Greek friends (lawyers, accountants, whizz-kids) around you to help with the bureaucracy. Also, if you are planning a Greek holiday, consider mainland destinations and remember glorious Greece is much more than beautiful islands because it has vast areas of magnificent coastal and mountain hinterlands (which are far less crowded!).
What’s next for you?
I will continue to write while I can and travel to Greece if we are able.
CONNECT WITH SUZI STEMBRIDGE
Website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon Author Page
Are you on my email list? Don’t miss all my latest news.
Complete the form near the upper right of this page. Get a free story when you complete sign up.
Read more:
Learn more about Peter Barber’s books