Susan Pashman

Writing is the destination I arrived at after a long journey.

I began as a Physics major, did my graduate work in Philosophy, and taught Philosophy at Adelphi University until, as a single mother, I realized I needed a more lucrative career. I became a lawyer, and worked on Wall Street -- doing Credit Default Swaps, if you can believe that -- until my sons' college careers were assured.

Finally released from my financial burden, I moved from New York to Sag Harbor, a snug old whaling village on the East End of Long Island where I had spent my childhood summers. There, I joined a writing group and soon completed my first novel, The Speed of Light.

I have continued writing fiction and humorous essays, and have also returned to teaching Philosophy. This year, I am teaching a dedicated group of adult learners to love Spinoza as much as I do.

As a fan of Spinoza, I was not surprised to discover in myself an unquenchable thirst for learning. When the house I'd designed for myself was built, I decided I needed to know more about landscape design. I started commuting to Harvard's Landscape Institute in Cambridge and, in 2008, received my degree. Two years later, I completed a Master's degree in Landscape Aesthetics -- Philosophy again -- at The Inchbald School of Design at The University of Wales. I'm now compiling a book on Landscape Aesthetics.

A second non-fiction book is also in the works. Having developed a deep curiosity about Judaism, I've been trying to reconcile this ancient religion with my modern, secularist, philosophical self. I researched the topic of the "sabbath" in preparation for teaching a class on it, and am now writing a personal, philosophical interpretation that I hope will make sabbath observance meaningful to a contemporary, thoughtful person.