About
Story Playscapes
Discover the Story
Story Playscapes is an Australian, heritage trade publishing business, that produces the authentic written works of Susan L. Marshall in professional and bespoke publications. The business aims to publish a range of books, inspired by Susan’s story playscapes, which encourage a love for reading and discovering the story.
The Australian registered business was founded by professional author, Susan L. Marshall on 7 July 2020. Her passion for writing poetry, plays and fiction has led to her development of the business brand. Susan’s works are written for a wide ranging, global audience.
Story Playscapes is dedicated to promoting positive approaches to global literacy and theatrical development. It nurtures a global readership by actively sharing Susan L. Marshall’s diverse range of written works through its long-standing My Story Meadow program. Many of Susan’s professional poems and stories unravelled their beginnings through the program, with Susan sharing her writing etudes and techniques with a dedicated global readership.
Currently, Story Playscapes has published five of Susan’s major publications: Fleur of Yesterday, All the Hope We Carry, Adira and the Dark Horse, Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall (an Amazon best-seller) and Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry (an Amazon best-seller). Her publications are professionally distributed to and available at book retailers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
About
Susan L. Marshall
Founder of Story Playscapes
A Romantic Wanderer
“In my wanders, through wake or sleep,
I have witnessed worlds that, when given breath,
do slowly unfurl.
Breathtaking, are the sparks of life that arise,
absorbing and alighting my spirit with their precious moments.”
– Susan L. Marshall
Susan L. Marshall is a professional novelist, fiction writer, dramatist, poet and theatre practitioner, renown for her unique attunement to the energetic motions of her lifeworlds (her playscapes). A Romantic wanderer by nature, she nurtures a global readership with her special abilities to distil and transcend precious moments and alighting the Romantic spirit on its continued journey. Susan combines her special interests in Romanticism and Metaphysical philosophy, (along with other classical and contemporary styles), in the development of her own original, contemporary written works. Readers around the globe fondly connect with her works as Romantic Academia and Metaphysical poetry / fiction. Susan’s professional publications and their beloved, mindful journeys of the Romantic Spirit, are available in more than 200 countries and territories around the globe.
Inspired by Natural Energies
Susan was born in Carlton in Melbourne, Australia. She was raised by her parents in Richmond in Melbourne, as the oldest of three children. At a young age, she was drawn to the solace she discovered outdoors, particularly when she attuned herself to the natural energetic motions that surrounded her.
“I learned at a young age that we can choose how we engage with life. To be able to witness precious, energetic motions, such as the kinetic whispering of wind against leaves, a bird spanning its wings or the budding of a flower, was soothing. It took me away from the grind of the everyday and fuelled my imagination. In places such as my own backyard, on outdoor treks or even at one of my favourite places: the Royal Botanic Gardens, I connected with my own spirit. I was able to attune myself to precious, energetic moments and give flight
to their stories.
“I spent a lot of time with my father as a child. He nurtured my love for nature and homegrown herbs, fruits and vegetables. Although we lived close to the busy city, my father helped me to learn how to ground myself and to take care of my health and wellbeing. He also taught me how to embrace my wandering nature by taking me on long walks into Melbourne city, where he taught me how to navigate my way around it confidently. I have fond memories of our family road trips out to Beechworth, where I would trek up the cliffs with my father courageously and view the vista with all its beauty. My father is a visual artist himself and I was always blessed to be able to watch him translate his passions into amazing paintings. It gave me confidence to continue to develop as an artist and writer myself.”
Artistic Education,
Dreams & Achievements
As a young child, Susan gravitated towards theatre, where she was able to flourish even further artistically. At Richmond Primary School, she was excited to be in her first stage production: Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach, guided by her teachers: Kim Young and Stu Cooper. She also performed the King in the French production of Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince.
Later, as a student at Melbourne Girls’ College, Susan was privileged to learn from the professional Australian stage director and theatre critic: Di Gagen. As her mentor, Di was instrumental in helping Susan to further harness her artistic focus and skills, by providing her with many theatrical opportunities. In senior years, Susan became the first Arts Captain at her school and was mentored by her principal, Jan Parkes, in community and leadership skills. Susan directed the school stage productions: Just Equal by Dennis Betts and A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare. She was also privileged to perform the roles of a Field Mouse (photo on right) and Pheobe, in Hartwell Players’ stage production of the pantomime: Toad of Toad Hall, directed by Di and Steve Gagen.
Susan was humbled to receive numerous awards throughout her senior years of education: the Award for ‘Special Achievement in Drama’ in Year 10; the Award for ‘Special Achievement in Citizenship’ in Year 11 and the Achievement Award for her ‘Contribution to the Arts’ in year 12, her final year of college.
Di Gagen also introduced Susan to the world of St Martin’s Youth Arts Centre, which Susan embraced whole-heartedly. She spent many years there, under the tuition of some of Australia’s great theatre practitioners, including: the Artistic Director, Brett Adam, James Wardlaw and Geoff Wallis. Susan was honoured to work with Brett Adam to devise, script and perform in the postmodern stage production: Orb.IT for the Melbourne International Arts Festival.
Susan’s passions for theatre and writing remained with her, leading to her enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts at La Trobe University. It was there that she performed in the productions: As You Like It by William Shakespeare, directed by Meredith Rogers and What Time is this House? by Virginia Baxter, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival. She also performed the lead role of Phrygenia in the production of Spartacus and Phrygenia, (written and directed by Peter and Corinne at Créations Barquette Gitane), for the Banyule Festival in Melbourne.
Later, Susan was privileged to further develop her skills in stage direction by observing Richard Keown’s stage direction of the Australian Premiere of Joanne Harris’ Holidays for Peridot Theatre in Melbourne. Susan was very honoured to stage direct the Australian premiere of Timothy Daly’s Beach: A Theatrical Fantasia, with a young adult cast.
“The wanderer in me continued to flourish, wanting to learn as much as I could about the worlds of theatre and literature, to help me grow. I immersed myself in styles from classical to post-modern, loving the senses of character spirit and embodiment that unravelled their journeys in books and plays. I felt I had found the arts where I fitted naturally, with my own connections to life energies. I will always be grateful to my lecturers: Richard Freadman (literature); Geoffrey Milne, Julian Meyrick, Meredith Rogers and Peta Tait (theatre), for their expertise and helping me to grow.
“My theatre mentor, the wonderful, late Geoffrey Milne, once asked me what I wanted my discipline to be in the theatre world. At the time, I wanted to be a theatre practitioner, as I had been awe-inspired by many professional theatre practitioners before me. I loved learning about the ways that Artaud, Brooke and others, went about journaling and sharing their own techniques and practice. There is something so alive and progressive about theatre, an energy that is inexplicable and I wanted to help make a contribution, initiate innovation and new, lively discussion. Geoffrey’s advice stayed with me as I continued to develop and harness my skills. Later, I realised that my forte was creating theatre for young adults, after working with them for many years in theatre, community and educational settings. That’s when I began developing the Theatre Playscapes style, so that I could make a contribution to theatre and its progressive development and discussion for young people through time.”
On completion of her Bachelor of Arts degree, Susan was granted lifetime membership to the Golden Key International Honour Society at La Trobe University’s chapter: ‘In recognition of outstanding scholastic achievement and excellence.’
A Debut Author, Educator, Community Volunteer & Multiple Award Recipient
Susan has a passion for heritage and culture, having grown up as a member of a large, multicultural family.
“My ethnicity is Maltese, Turkish, Portugese and English. I can also speak French fluently. I grew up with an appreciation for the diverse ways that people live and the wonderful contributions that cultures make to life itself.
“My mother’s second language is English and she dedicated herself to teaching me how to read at a very young age. She helped me to discover my love for the Romantic focus of literature. I was reading novels such as: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnet; Heidi by Johanna Spyri and The Enchanted Wood series by Enid Blyton. As I grew older, I adored the Anne of Green Gables series by Lucy Maud Montgomery and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Each of these stories were a feast of spirit and humanity, accompanied by nature and desire, even fantastical at times. They instilled a sense of courage in me, to continue to explore the world with open eyes and to unravel my continued spiritual journey, away from the daily grind.
“My mother also taught me the importance of family and community and helped me to build strong relationships. When I would visit my Nanna (my mother’s mother), I would relish my Nanna’s presence and cherish her stories at her table, which was dressed with her beautiful lace table cloth, all the way from her native country, Gozo. As a war survivor, the lace was a precious belonging to my Nanna. The heritage lace trade is significant for the people of Gozo.
“My father’s mother, my Nanna, also had a very strong influence on my spiritual presence and growth. She taught me how to connect with the simple joys of life and to find comfort and peace. I will always be grateful for the guidance and wisdom of my mother and grandmothers.”
Susan became an active member of the Richmond community. She volunteered at the Berry Street Opportunity Shop and volunteered her assistance at the Richmond City Council by providing opportunities for young people. This led to her work on the Richmond Youth Work Project and Richmond Youth Council. Her outstanding work with young people led to her being granted the prestigious Award for Special Civic Service by the Mayor of Richmond.
“To be able assist young people in need of support was a true privilege. As a young adult myself, it was heart warming to be a member of the Richmond Youth Work Project (an initiative of the Richmond City Council) and to work alongside the very inspirational leadership and expertise of Belinda Frew. It warmed my heart to co-develop programs in response to the needs of other young people. That word hope, it has stayed with me my whole life, that is what kept us all going. We worked so hard to cross the barriers that existed for young people, be that social, home life, personal, economic, accessibility, etc. and worked with them as a team, even inviting young people to contribute their hopes and needs through the Richmond Youth Council so that we could help in the best way possible.
“It was the most amazing experience to attend the Australia Day ceremony at the Richmond Town Hall with my family. It was on this day, that I stood alongside so many wonderful people who were receiving their Australian Citizenship and heard their heartfelt stories. It was such an honour to receive my Award for Special Civic Service that day too, my spirit soaring with gratitude for all that I had learned and to be able to be inspired by the lives of others.”
Later, while completing a Postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching: Primary and Secondary at Deakin University, Susan also dedicated her time as a Volunteer Literacy Assistant in the Middle Years Literacy Development Program at Highvale Secondary College. She was privileged to be led by the expertise of her mentor, Helen Newton, for two years.
“It was the most rewarding experience to work with Helen and to embrace that special part of myself that wanted to help foster literacy development in young adults. Helen taught me so many techniques and approaches to teaching, that remain with me today. It gave me so much heart felt joy to help guide young adults in the enhancement of their reading and writing skills and to watch the smiles that would light up their faces when they realised they had acquired new skills and grown! The experience made my desire to teach stronger and confirmed my passion for helping others to develop and enhance their literacy skills.”
Susan was taken by surprise when Helen Newton presented her with an invitation by the Monash Volunteer Resource Centre, Inc. (City of Monash) to attend a special breakfast to celebrate National Volunteer Week. It was there that Susan was honoured to receive the National Volunteer Award ‘For Outstanding Voluntary Service As Literacy Assistant.’
‘To be able to give my heart and soul to help young adults with enhancing their literacy skills was such a privilege. I was so touched that my work was recognised in this way and so thankful to Helen for all her guidance and support in helping me to develop my skills and confidence.”
Susan completed her Postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching: Primary and Secondary, guided by the amazing expertise of her mentors Dr Jo Omara and Dr Jo Raphael. After graduating, Susan taught young adults English and Drama in educational settings for more than a decade and undertook the role of Head of Drama. She also mentored pre-service and practising teachers.
Susan continued to work with young adults in community, educational and theatrical settings as a theatre practitioner. She launched her first professional play: Broken World, (published by RMDesigned under her birth name, Susan Judd), at the AATE/ALEA National Conference in Brisbane, in 2013 (photo on left), beginning her career as a professional author. Later, the play was positively reviewed by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. RMDesigned continued to publish Susan’s second professional play: Indigo’s Haven in 2016.
Susan has also written a range of professional publications, which have been published at Vocal Media in the U.S.A. These include, Susan’s poems: Grandpa Ben’s Mysterious Notebook: A Tale; A Day Spent: the Playful Thoughts of a Tired Mind; My Nature Spirit: A Poem
Celebrating my Connection with Nature; Is Summer Still Aglow Within Thy Heart?: The Eternal Shore of Summer Love; Winter’s Breath: Mother Nature’s Precious Time and Heart’s Land, along with her short stories: Paper Jilu: A Journey of Her Notes; Gail’s Red Horizon: A Fantastical Adventure; Hidden Magic: Part 1; Peonies for Masha: Her Journey Home (shortlisted as a finalist in the Vocal+ Fiction Awards, 2022); Stay; Tace’s Lost Spirit: Searching for Vie; Bare Love: A Metaphysical Romance; Love’s Dying Road: A Romantic Metaphysical Fiction; Wing’s For Gia: A Romantic Myth; Our Forbidden Love: Its Romantic Journey Home; Shards of Human Being: A Futuristic Journey and My Secret City of Being: A Story of Healing.
An Arts in Education Manager, Educational Leader & Consultant
Susan held the position of Secretary on the Drama Victoria Executive Committee of Management. In this role, her responsibilities included: providing planning and support structures for the effective delivery of Drama and Theatre Studies subjects at both state and national levels, minute-taking; co-planning and presentation of state and national conferences; establishing Solidarity Funding guidelines and application processes for delegates from bush fire and/or flood affected schools who wished to attend the state conference and contributing to future planning / decision making at committee meetings.
In the aforementioned role, Susan also contributed to the official Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority’s Shaping Paper for the Australian National Curriculum for Drama Education. She also assisted with running Primary Drama Education network meetings in order to inspire Primary Drama teachers with techniques and strategies; co-developed resources for teachers, such as the VCE Theatre Studies Monologue Resource Kit; proof read, reviewed and edited the drafted text of Drama Victoria practice examinations (for V.C.E. Drama studies) for accuracy and fluency and assisted other Heads of Drama with course structural ideas and implementation of Drama curriculum at their educational institutions. Susan also networked and planned Drama educational opportunities in the wider community for schools, such as: the Drama Australia Footprints Project with cultural institutions such as the National Gallery of Victoria.
As an educational leader, Susan has also presented numerous professional academic workshops at state and national conferences in drama and literacy education in Australia. These include: Capturing Value-able Moments (Drama Victoria Values Education Conference at the Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne); Broken World Workshop (Drama Victoria State Conference at The University of Melbourne); Cultivating Natural Theatre: Edward Gordon Craig’s Environmental Theatre (Drama Australia National Conference at The University of Melbourne); Introduction to Playwriting (Drama Victoria State Conference at the Victorian College of the Arts) and Using Multimodal Literacies to
Re-invigorate a Broken World (AATE / ALEA joint National Conference at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane).
Susan has written professional academic articles, which have been published in Drama Victoria’s authoritative Mask magazine. These include: Pressing Forward: Creating Drama Attuned to the Students’ Time and Place and Cultivating Natural Theatre.
Susan has worked as an educational consultant and provided editorial review services for Macmillan Education Australia.
Founder of Story Playscapes & Its Globally Beloved My Story Meadow Program
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan began sharing her poetic and fictional writing études on her My Story Meadow blog. It rapidly attracted a global readership who were interested in Susan’s story telling and techniques shared. Susan committed herself to providing global literacy development opportunities to readers via her popular My Story Meadow Program. This lead to her founding her business, named after her passion for life’s energies and her Romantic wanders: Story Playscapes.
On New Year’s Eve in 2022, Susan was met with overwhelming global support when she announced that Story Playscapes was classified as a heritage trade publisher. Susan was joined by many readers when she lit
a candle of hope for the future of heritage trade across the world. A heartfelt passion that she continues to support today.
In 2023, Susan touched the hearts of the globe with her metaphysical magic when Story Playscapes released her monumental, first two plays in the Theatre Playscapes series: Fleur of Yesterday and All the Hope We Carry, both developed for young adult performers around the world.
In 2023, Susan also reached a milestone of 10 years in her career as a professional author. Story Playscapes continued to publish and release Susan’s professional publications: Adira and the Dark Horse (2024); Bare Spirit: The Selected Poems of Susan Marshall (2024) (An Amazon best-seller) and Wild Soul: Contemporary Classical Winter Poetry (2025) (an Amazon best-seller and #1 Hot New Release in Australian and Oceanian Poetry). Currently, Susan’s publications at Story Playscapes are professionally distributed to and available at book retailers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world.
