Susan Meissner

About

Susan Meissner is an American novelist known for historical fiction that explores family relationships, resilience, and the ways personal lives intersect with significant historical events. Born and raised in San Diego, California, she later lived in Minnesota, England, and Germany before returning to Southern California. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a managing editor for a weekly newspaper in southwestern Minnesota and earned recognition as a columnist. Meissner has written more than two dozen novels for adults, many of which have received critical acclaim and starred reviews. Her best-known works include The Nature of Fragile Things (2021), The Last Year of the War (2019), As Bright as Heaven (2018), and A Fall of Marigolds (2014). Her fiction often brings historical settings to life through intimate stories of women facing extraordinary circumstances. She is also a speaker and writing workshop leader.