Susan Smith Nash started her professional life as a petroleum geologist, and then diversified by studying economics, literature, and instructional design. From Susan's perspectives, all geology, economics, and literary criticism are, on some level, "discourses of explanation," which has been helpful to her. Her explorations have given her the opportunity to satisfy her curiosity and to develop a mindset that involves the convergence of disparate elements, often in conflict. Susan earned her Bachelors of Science, Master of Arts, and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Her creative publications and reviews include Talisman, Sodobnost, World Literature Today, Gargoyle, and others.