Susan Jeffers
Combined extracted timeline events from provided biographical excerpts for Susan Jeffers (psychologist, 1938–2012), Susan Jeffers (illustrator, 1942–2020), and brief disambiguation entry for Sue Jeffers (b.1956). Each event notes which Susan it concerns in the title/description.
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Life & Career Timeline
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) born
Birth year for Susan Jeffers, the psychologist and author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway®.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) born (Oct 7, 1942)
Susan Jeffers, who would become a Caldecott Honor-winning children's book illustrator, was born in New Jersey.
Sue Jeffers (disambiguation entry) born (1956)
Sue Jeffers (born 1956) referenced in disambiguation as American restaurateur and politician. (No further details in provided text.)
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) graduates Pratt Institute
Jeffers graduated from Pratt Institute, launching her career in children's book art and design.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) begins work in publishing art departments
After Pratt, she worked in the children's art departments of three publishing houses (including Macmillan), doing design tasks and preparing art for publication.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes first book (1967)
Jeffers' first commercial book was published in 1967 (she later called it 'not a success on any level').
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) co-founds art studio with Rosemary Wells
Around 1968 Jeffers began an art studio with fellow illustrator Rosemary Wells focusing on book and jacket design.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) shifts to freelance to focus on own projects (approx. 1968)
Text reports she shifted into freelance work so she could focus on creating her own books; this move occurred after working in publishers' art departments and roughly contemporaneous with her studio formation (~1968).
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes The Buried Moon (1969)
Jeffers illustrated The Buried Moon by Joseph Jacobs for Bradbury Press (published 1969); it did not make money but added to her experience.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) returns to education & attains advanced degrees (approx.)
Text states Susan returned to school after having children and attained BA, Master’s and Doctorate in Psychology (Doctorate from Columbia University). Exact years not provided; approximate dating used.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) becomes Executive Director of The Floating Hospital (approx.)
Upon graduation Susan was offered the Executive Director role at The Floating Hospital (New York's Ship of Health). The text states she served ten years; explicit years not provided so approximate dating used.
Bradbury invites Jeffers to revisit Three Jovial Huntsmen (approx.)
Publisher Bradbury phoned about a year after shelving earlier Three Jovial Huntsmen material asking if she wanted to rework it; leads to 1973 publication — exact call-year approximate.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes Three Jovial Huntsmen (1973)
After reworking earlier attempts, Jeffers' adaptation/illustration of Three Jovial Huntsmen was published by Bradbury in 1973.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) receives Caldecott Honor (1974)
Her Three Jovial Huntsmen earned a 1974 Caldecott Honor (runner-up for the Medal).
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) established as significant children's illustrator (calculated milestone)
By winning a Caldecott Honor (1974) and awards in mid-1970s Jeffers became widely recognized in children's publishing; she went on to produce 47+ books over her career.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) wins Golden Apple Award (1975)
Jeffers won the Golden Apple Award at the Biennale of Illustrations Bratislava in 1975 for her work.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) recalls early art education & school mural (1977 interview mention)
In a 1977 interview Jeffers recounted beginning to paint school murals in Oakland, NJ and learning perspective & paint-mixing from her mother — formative events for her art career.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) leaves The Floating Hospital to begin writing career (approx.)
After roughly a decade at The Floating Hospital Susan left to pursue her new writing career — exact dating relative to 1987 publication is approximate.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) begins media prominence (1980s–1990s appearances)
Susan was a celebrated workshop leader and public speaker; she made numerous international TV and radio appearances, including 13 appearances on Oprah throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) media & speaking career expands (1980s onward)
Following the success of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, Susan expanded into recorded audios, seminars, workshops and international media appearances.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) divorces first husband after 16 years (approx.)
Autobiography notes Susan and her first husband ended a 16-year marriage around the time of her graduation/executive appointment; exact calendar year not provided — approximate placement here.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) credited on Black Beauty adaptation (1986)
Jeffers illustrated an edition/adaptation of Black Beauty (Random House, 1986) adapted by Robin McKinley.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) continues publication and illustration career (mid-1980s)
By the mid-1980s Jeffers had an established career illustrating and designing children's books, including jacket work and portraiture.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) gets book acceptance from Harcourt Brace Jovanovich (1986)
After many rejections, editor Martha Lawrence at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich accepted Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway in 1986, launching her writing career.
Agent Dominick Abel helps Susan Jeffers (psychologist) secure publisher
Susan credits her agent Dominick Abel for helping launch her writing career when Harcourt Brace Jovanovich accepted her manuscript in 1986.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) publishes Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway (1987)
Her first and signature book was published in 1987 and became an international bestseller and the basis for her global teaching and training.
Feel the Fear becomes international bestseller (approx. 1987–early 1990s)
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway achieved international bestseller status after 1987 publication and became the foundation of Susan's teaching and training business.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) wins Golden Kite Award (1989)
Her paintings in Rosemary Wells' Forest of Dreams won the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration in 1989.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) marries Mark Shelmerdine (approximate placement)
Autobiography references marriage to Englishman Mark Shelmerdine and 27+ years married at time of her later writings; exact marriage year not stated — approximate placement used. (He is named as film/TV producer and owner of London Films.)
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes Brother Eagle, Sister Sky! (1991)
Jeffers illustrated Brother Eagle, Sister Sky! (words of Chief Seattle) published by Dial in 1991 — one of many notable works featuring animals and nature.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) co-illustrates Lassie Come-Home (1995)
Jeffers and Rosemary Wells teamed up on a version of Lassie Come-Home (Henry Holt, 1995).
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) launches McDuff series collaboration (1997)
The McDuff the dog series (Jeffers & Wells) began publication with Hyperion in 1997 and ran through 2005.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) McDuff series active (1997–2005)
The McDuff series (with Rosemary Wells) ran 1997–2005, illustrating Jeffers' sustained publishing output into the 2000s.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) works on Hitty: Her First Hundred Years (1999)
Jeffers and Wells collaborated on Rachel Field's Hitty: Her First Hundred Years (S&S, 1999).
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) continues to be recognized for animal/horses illustration (My Pony, 2003)
Her strong depiction of horses is noted in numerous picture books including My Pony (2003).
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes My Pony (2003)
One of her horse-themed picture books, My Pony, was published by Hyperion in 2003, reflecting her long interest and talent for painting horses.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) awarded Kindred Spirit award for Embracing Uncertainty (c.2003)
The popular magazine Kindred Spirit gave Susan the award for Best Personal Development Book of the Year — Embracing Uncertainty — stated as a year earlier than the 2004 Times note (implying ~2003).
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) widely ranked among major self-help figures (2004 recognition)
The Times naming of Susan in 2004 as 'Queen of Self-Help' placed her in public consciousness alongside international figures like Mandela and the Dalai Lama.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) named 'Queen of Self-Help' by The Times (2004)
The Times (U.K.) named Susan 'the Queen of Self-Help' in 2004, ranking her alongside major spiritual/inspirational figures.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) designs jacket for The Nutcracker (2007)
Jeffers produced the striking jacket for The Nutcracker (Harper, 2007), demonstrating her expertise in jacket composition.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) publishes My Chincoteague Pony (2008)
Jeffers published My Chincoteague Pony (HarperCollins, 2008), continuing her series of horse-themed books.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) begins prolonged illness (approx. 2009)
Susan had been ill with a rare cancer (cancer of unknown primary, CUP) for over three years prior to her death in 2012, implying onset around 2009.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) legacy: translations and reach noted by organization
The Susan Jeffers Organization states that her books are published in over 100 countries and 38 languages — a lasting global reach preserved after her 2012 death.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) career totals noted at death
At the time of her death Susan had written 17 books (Feel the Fear and 16 more), been translated into 38 languages and published in over 100 countries; a prolific speaker and trainer.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) total global impact summarized
By her death Susan had become a bestselling author, speaker and trainer whose work was translated worldwide and continued via an organization maintaining her programs, trainings and merchandise.
Susan Jeffers Organization continues legacy after Susan's death
Susan's husband Mark, co-author Donna, assistant Karrie, and training head Rachael continued to promote her books, trainings and message after her death in 2012.
Susan Jeffers (psychologist) dies (Oct 27, 2012)
Susan Jeffers died in the early hours of Saturday, October 27, 2012, after a multi-year illness (CUP).
Colleagues remember Susan Jeffers (illustrator)'s generosity & craft (posthumous tributes)
After Jeffers' passing colleagues like Rosemary Wells, Barbara Lalicki and Martha Rago publicly praised her technical skill, generosity and high standards.
Rosemary Wells recalls 45-year friendship with Susan Jeffers (illustrator) (quote in obituary)
Wells' tribute referenced 45 years of friendship and collaboration with Jeffers — supporting the long collaboration dating to the late 1960s.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) career summary at death (noted in obituaries)
Obituaries note Jeffers produced more than 47 children's books, was a New York Times bestselling illustrator and Caldecott Honor winner, leaving a legacy widely used by parents and children.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) dies (Jan 2020) — Publishers Weekly date
Publishers Weekly obituary states Susan Jeffers (illustrator) died on January 22, 2020, after a brief illness; obituary published Jan 28, 2020. She was 77.
Susan Jeffers (illustrator) death noted in Publishers Weekly (Jan 28, 2020)
Publishers Weekly ran an obituary dated Jan 28, 2020 reporting her death (obit gives Jan 22 as death date elsewhere); Wikipedia uses Jan 28 as death date. Slight source discrepancy noted.
Key Achievement Ages
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