Susan Jacobs was born and raised in Auckland. After completing a BA in Italian at the University of Auckland she travelled overseas. She lived in the Umbrian and Tuscan regions of Italy for nearly nine years, gaining an Advanced Diploma from the University for Foreigners at Perugia and teaching English in Siena. After returning to New Zealand she tutored for many years in Italian literature and language at the University of Auckland, completing a Masters degree and finally a PhD in Italian, while bringing up a family of four daughters. She also qualified as a secondary school teacher in English and Art History. For a further eight years she occupied a number of lecturing and managerial positions in a private tertiary institute. She currently works as a teacher and freelance writer and lives in Auckland with her family.