Thirteen Tunnels

On September 17, 2022, the literary world, indeed the whole world, lost a unique voice with the passing of Suzanne “Hammer” Samples. Her final journey began in 2014 with a brain tumor diagnosis. She chronicled her struggles and triumphs even as she worked through post-surgery rehab including regaining the loss of arm and hand function. Suzanne's rare courage and candor gave us a brutally honest and unflinching view of her life.

Though she “nagged” her editor and publisher to get her first book into print before she died, Suzanne outlived her prognosis. The memoir, “Frontal Matter: Glue Gone Wild” went on to be named among the best books of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews and sent Suzanne on a phenomenal book tour where she wowed listeners with her experiences, stellar personality and dark wit. She continued on to write two sequels, “Stargazing in Solitude” published to acclaim in 2021, and the “13 Tunnels”, even as she returned to teaching and started a literary magazine.

Her trilogy offers insight, comfort, and understanding to the patients, caregivers, and loved ones dealing with this and similar devastating diagnoses. Suzanne lived life to the fullest and gave us great gifts along the way. She will be missed.—Barbara Lockwood and Lisa Kastner