Dr. Susan McCormick and I discuss writing about medical realities that are sometimes frightening for the middle grade audience in her new novel, THE ANTIDOTE. She shares her thoughts on how the pandemic has impacted young people and reasons for us to be optimistic about the future. We also chat about muses and the mysteries of writing, her secrets of success, a ballerina horror story, how to think about something later so you can focus, research methods, believing in ghosts, the importance of perseverance, and so much more.

Susan McCormick is an award-winning author and doctor who lives in Seattle. She graduated from Smith College and George Washington University Medical School, with additional medical training in San Francisco and Washington, DC. She served as a doctor for nine years in the US Army before moving to the Pacific Northwest and civilian practice. She is married and has two boys. She loves giant dogs and has loved Earl, an English Mastiff, and two Newfoundlands, Edward and Albert.