"The Story of Drawing" explores the fundamental role of drawing in human creativity, tracing its evolution from prehistoric times to modern artists like Van Gogh and Yayoi Kusama. Susan Owens provides insights into the creative processes of renowned artists, highlighting drawing's unique freedom compared to other art forms.
Susan Owens Book order






- 2024
- 2023
Imagining England's Past explores England's national myths, from the glamorous to the disturbing, and from the eighth century to the present day.
- 2021
Now in paperback, this is a new cultural history of the ghost—one of the most popular and pervasive subjects worldwide. Spanning from the medieval period to today, the book includes a wide range of artists and writers, including Hogarth, Blake, Rossetti, Shakespeare, Pepys, Shelley, and Dickens. Contemporary figures such as Muriel Spark, Hilary Mantel, and Jeremy Deller are also featured. The enduring popularity of ghosts in literature, art, folklore, and film attests to their continuing power to fascinate, terrify, and inspire. Our conceptions of ghosts—the fears they provoke, the forms they take—are connected to the conventions and beliefs of each particular era, from the marauding undead of the Middle Ages to the psychologically charged presences of our own age.
- 2020
Spirit of Place
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
A lyrical, critically acclaimed account of the British landscape in writing and art from Beowulf to now.
- 2017
The Ghost
- 288 pages
- 11 hours of reading
"In this rich survey Susan Owens explores the wide range of roles that ghosts have played in Britain's cultural life, looking at how they reflect our changing attitudes, our hopes and fears. Featuring a dazzling range of artists, including William Blake, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais, Paul Nash, and Jeremy Deller, alongside writers such as William Shakespeare, Daniel Defoe, Mary Shelley, Emily Brontë, Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, Hilary Mantel and Sarah Waters." -- Back cover.
- 2016
This collection features a series of poignant short poems by Susan Owens, showcasing her unique voice and perspective. Through her evocative language and imagery, Owens explores themes of emotion, nature, and the human experience, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives. Each piece offers a glimpse into her creative mind, making this anthology a compelling read for poetry lovers.
- 2016
Chasing Moon
- 136 pages
- 5 hours of reading
The mysterious disappearance of Moon sends shockwaves through her town, igniting suspicion among the residents. As they grapple with fear and uncertainty, various theories emerge regarding her fate. The narrative explores the tension and paranoia that arise as fingers are pointed at a stranded soldier she helped, a potential stranger, and even her neighbors. This gripping tale delves into themes of trust, community dynamics, and the search for truth amidst chaos.
- 2016
Howlsville
- 120 pages
- 5 hours of reading
Navigating the challenges of high school becomes even more complicated for Sarah when she returns to her father's hometown. As she uncovers the mysteries surrounding a centuries-old curse, she discovers an unexpected connection to a seemingly trivial ring. This journey reveals hidden truths and unexpected twists, challenging her understanding of her new environment and herself.
- 2015
Saving Moon
- 82 pages
- 3 hours of reading
Moon Daisy embarks on a journey to uncover the truth behind her haunting nightmares. As she delves deeper into her past, she seeks to identify the person responsible for her fears. The story intertwines elements of mystery and self-discovery, exploring themes of courage and resilience as Moon confronts her darkest memories.
- 2015
Jonathan Richardson by Himself
- 72 pages
- 3 hours of reading
Jonathan Richardson (1667-1745) was one of 18th-century England's most significant cultural figures. At the age of 61, shortly before his retirement, Richardson began to create a remarkable series of self-portrait drawings. Not intended for public display, these were unguarded explorations of his own character.