Susan Barry
Text remains up to date in 2025.
ONE DAY IN 1989, as a research writer, I moonlighted my own fear of dying. I began in the impressive UCSB Library nearby. Intended to benefit only family and friends, it became the research journey of a lifetime. It led to such as the Yale and British Libraries and to the emerging stars of the new field of death education, among them my mentor Robert Kastenbaum.
DYING WELL IS THE BEST REVENGE is the final updated revision and title of an early incarnation. It is largely unknown beyond a dormant Amazon's website, and friends and family for whom it was originally intended. I do want to thank literary agent Jane Lahr for her ongoing interest, but time simply had run out. At age 80, a neck injury and eyesight condition precluded further. Thus I concluded a journey, a book and legacy of which I am proud,
As for credentials; The originator and first Administrative Director of the Rice University Publishing Program, I subsequently assisted New York publishers in regional book promotion. Also before my 'small town' move, I was a literary scout for editors at Random House and Harper Collins (I hated writing rejection letters - with one ultimately famous exception.) Numerous early writing credits include a television scriptwriting award and a Children's Bicentennial Play now in the National Archives. A trained caseworker, following that move to Santa Barbara, I was a rare book house's research writer; professional Bereavement member of a VNA Hospice team; and a member of the Association for Death Education and Counseling. I produced an in-house training video for The Hospice at the Texas Medical Center. I now live outside Austin Texas where my passion is directed to higher education for foster students.
BEAUDY A TRUE STORY was written to be sold at Black Beauty Ranch. Since it does not fit the current children's illustrated book profile, I never submitted it to a traditional publisher. Nevertheless, its story has had remarkable popularity with BOTH children and *adults as uplifting grief therapy for the loss of a pet or human. Under the auspices of the Texas Humane Legislation Network and Texas Dept. of Education, BEAUDY is in rural Texas' elementary schools' libraries touting humane animal treatment, and in 4-H Clubs; as well as in Texas children's hospitals and public libraries where requested. I "channeled" BEAUDY in one sitting. The broad generational age response to its education and spiritual mystery has been very gratifying!
