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Have you ever started a project only to set it aside for years? For some, it might be a half-finished house plan or the outline of a business idea. For author Susan Gooch, it was a novel that quietly sat in a drawer until the timing was finally right.
Gooch started writing while her daughter was in law school in Europe. She would spend her weeks at home in Arkansas drafting chapters, then send them overseas for weekend train rides and edits. Life continued, though, and the story was put on hold, file after file tucked away.
It wasn’t until a girlfriend’s trip years later, while stuck in the Atlanta airport looking for something new to read, that Gooch casually mentioned she had written a book. “The book I wrote is better than any of these,” she told her friends. They were stunned, “You wrote a book?” And in that moment, Gooch realized it was time to revisit the work.
That rediscovery marked the beginning of The Carrington Affairs, her debut novel. “Reworking that original manuscript into something believable a decade later was a joy. I enjoyed weaving the old words into a new “flashback” narrative. The world had changed; politics, international travel and health care all looked different, and the words needed a new way into society,” she said.
Since then, Gooch has published a second book set to release this fall and is already halfway through a third, with an expanding readership eager for more.
Meeting the Carringtons
Set mostly in her hometown of Searcy and partly in California, The Carrington Affairs tells a story of politics, ambition and complicated relationships. Divided into four parts, the book shifts perspectives between characters, creating a layered narrative that reflects the ups and downs of small-town gossip, family drama, human connections and the search for truth. Readers get to see each character’s version of events, only to have their loyalties change when the next viewpoint arrives.
At the center is Bennett Carrington, a junior senator from Arkansas with ambitions for higher office, and the women connected to his life. Through multiple narrators—his ex-wife, current wife, and even a child caught in the middle—Gooch creates a story where truth depends on who’s telling it. “You think you know his story until you hear the whole story,” she explains.
It’s the kind of novel to read in a weekend at a cabin or enjoyed by the pool on a fall afternoon. Relatable, fast-paced and full of Southern charm, Gooch’s writing appeals to anyone who has lived in or loved a small town.
The Writing Process
For Gooch, writing has always been a mix of routine and creativity. As a seasoned educator and literacy coordinator for Searcy schools, she spent over 20 years helping students develop a love for reading before focusing on her own stories. However, this experience of training readers has changed the way she writes. Knowing the tactics others use to absorb words, she tries to keep them in mind as she presents new ideas on the page.
She approaches writing as a job, sitting down early each morning to record her hours. “I’m a schedule and routine person,” she says. But she also views her stories as movies playing in her mind, unfolding scene by scene until they’re ready to be written. From the beginning, she has an outline of the entire story, and when she starts to write, she’s noting the relationships and settings that are unfolding on the reels in her mind.
Her teaching background gave her a deep appreciation for stories and their influence. Growing up with dyslexia, she depended on her mother, a reading specialist, to help retrain her skills. That foundation turned Gooch into an avid reader; she set a personal goal of reading 200 books this year and has already read 165 (probably more by the time you read these words)! “Reading makes me a better writer,” she says, noting that while she might forget a title or author, she never forgets a good story.
The Rest of the Story
Gooch’s second book, The Non-Negotiable, is set to release this fall. It follows Bennett’s son, Ben, as he struggles to find his path, torn between following his father’s political legacy and forging a different future. Set in Napa Valley, the book explores themes of love, sacrifice, and what it means to hold on to or let go of your deepest dreams.
Her third novel, The Dirty Birds Book Club, is already underway and scheduled for release next year. This installment focuses on Edna Stone, a character inspired by the strong, resilient women Gooch has known in Searcy. Edna gathers a group of women, including characters from earlier books, to share their stories, adding another layer to Gooch’s growing fictional universe. It’s a highly anticipated development to complete the story.
Each book highlights Gooch’s love for Arkansas life, from its people to its traditions. “We have such an incredible quality of life here, and I don’t think the rest of the world realizes what it’s like,” she says. “Anywhere you go in the world, if two people with Arkansas roots sit down together, it takes about 30 minutes before they find a mutual friend.”
That sense of connection, community and belonging runs through her novels, making them not only entertaining but also celebrations of Southern identity. Whether you’re lounging poolside in late summer or planning a cozy fall retreat, Gooch’s novels are perfect companions; stories that make you laugh, make you think, and remind you why small-town life in Arkansas has a special charm.
Where to Find Susan Gooch
Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn
Amazon | Goodreads
Interested in learning more about Searcy, it’s an incredible place for shopping, eating, sipping, art, history and more!
All images in the story were provided by Susan Gooch.
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Thank you for posting about this! Loved the article! Big things are happening to fellow Arkansans and it’s great to see.