Susan Evans McCloud
Susan Evans McCloud (born July 28, 1945) is an American novelist, author, poet, hymnwriter, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Biography
McCloud has lived much of her adult life in Provo, Utah.[1] She is the mother of six children,[2] grandmother of ten, great grandmother of four. She is an active member of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, has written several programs for ldsradio.org, and other materials for the LDS Church. She and her family are deeply involved in their Scottish heritage. Her youngest daughter is studying in Glasgow, Scotland. Her only son plays the bagpipes, and was featured in "A Celebration of Family History" held in the LDS Conference Center on April 29, 2010. Susan was a docent at Brigham Young's BEEHIVE HOUSE in Salt Lake City for over 20 years, and docent for the Etruscan Exhibit at BYU's Museum of Art. She currently is an Ordinance Worker at the Provo Tabernacle-Temple.
McCloud was a member of Joseph A. Cannon's 1992 Utah County Steering Committee when he was seeking the Republican Nomination for Senate.[3]
In 2004, McCloud was given the Reed Smoot Citizenship Awards business women of the year award.[4]
Publications
Music
Two of McCloud's hymns appear in the LDS Church's 1985 hymnbook. One of these, "Lord I Would Follow Thee," has also been recorded by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.[5] Lines from this hymn have been quoted in the LDS community,[6] and it has even been called "one of the best-loved songs in the LDS Church"[7] McCloud wrote her other hymn, "As Zion's Youth in Latter Days," with the goal of giving strength to a "vacillating youth."[8]
McCloud has also contributed to film music used by the seminaries of the LDS Church.[9]
Writing
McCloud has published more than 45 books.[10] Since the late 1970s she has published nearly one novel annually, many through the publishers Bookcraft or Scribe Publishing. Her novel Black Stars Over Mexico was a best seller in January 1985.[11] Brigham Young: An Inspiring Personal Biography was partly developed as a result of her 30 years as a docent at the Beehive House.[12] ].[13]
Many of her novels are historical fiction of 19th-century Latter-day Saints in far-flung places, such as England or India. Some reviewers have criticized her novels as being pro-Mormon and repetitious of previous themes, but she is known for her strong characters and the power of her descriptions. .[14] Her work has been reviewed by Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought[15] Although rejected by some critics, her work is praised by others, such as LDS commentator and Deseret News columnist Jerry Johnston.[16]
McCloud's poetry first appeared in the Ensign magazine in 1972.
McCloud has also written scripts for film and TV productions, including the script for making one of her books into a made-for-TV movie.[17]
References
- ↑ "1990 Writing and Music Contest Winners", Ensign, July 1990.
- ↑ McCloud, Susan Evans. "In Our Lovely Deseret: Daughters and mothers encompass one eternal round," 'Deseret News', 23 April 2014. Accessed 26 May 2014.
- ↑ "Cannon Announces Formation Of Utah County Steering Panel". Deseret News. August 18, 1992. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ "Sen. Reed Smoot Citizen Awards". Deseret News. May 27, 2004. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ The Official Site of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
- ↑ For example, see quotes in Howard W. Hunter, "A More Excellent Way", Ensign, May 1992.
- ↑ Johnston, Jerry (May 11, 2002). "Great hymns — chosen writers". Deseret News. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ "Of All Things", New Era, November 2003.
- ↑ "Favorite Seminary Songs" (PDF). [CD booklet]. Sandy, Utah: Sounds of Zion. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ Mormon Literature Database - McCloud, Susan Evans
- ↑ Past bestselling fiction titles - page 189
- ↑ Review of Books for BYU Magazine by Richard Cracroft
- ↑ Randy Jernigan
- ↑ Taylor, J. Golden (1987). A Literary history of the American West. TCU Press. p. 857. ISBN 978-0-87565-021-0. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
- ↑ Dialogue: A Journal of Mormon Thought
- ↑ Johnston, Jerry (May 23, 1993). "Pitching Fiction to the Mormon Pop Market". Deseret News.
- ↑ Biographies: Latter-day Saint and/or Utah Film Personalities: M
External links
- Mentioned in Lavina Fielding Anderson (1994) "Utah Literature". Utah History Encyclopedia.
- Susan Evans McCloud at the MLCA Database