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The "S" is for Susenbach
Jo Linda Susenbach was born October 7, 1955 in Miami, Florida. Growing up she lived in North Carolina, Ohio and Orlando, FL before settling in the Birmingham, Alabama area as a teenager. Jo attended Vestavia Hills High School during which time she met her future husband, Rick Kittinger, on a blind date. They married in 1974 and had three children.
Jo graduated, summa cum laude, from the University of Montevallo in 1977. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in fine arts, with a minor in biology. Jo was president her senior year of Kappa Pi, an art honor society, and a member of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society. Jo's concentration during college was ceramics and for two years after college, Jo was co-owner of Wood and the Works, a fine crafts gallery and pottery studio.
 Jo's interest in publishing began early. She was editor of her high school yearbook and began submitting original craft designs for publication shortly after college. Her projects may be found in numerous books and magazines published through Oxmoor House and Heritage House. Jo began writing for children in 1991. In addition to her books, Jo has published articles in various books and magazines including Pockets, Boys Quest and The Flicker. She has written numerous feature articles which have appeared on the Just For Kids page of the Birmingham News and a number of items for Harcourt Brace Educational Measurement and CTB/McGraw-Hill.
Jo also served as an editorial assistant with The Flicker children’s magazine and is actively involved with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, currently serving as a Regional Advisor for the Southern Breeze region (AL, GA, MS).
By making school author visits Jo stays in contact with her readers and promotes her books. Jo also enjoys speaking at authors conferences. Her passions include nature, pottery, photography and serving Jesus Christ, the giver of all talents.
Jo Talks About Her Family
I have a wonderful family that is very supportive of my creative work. My husband, Rick was my high school sweetheart. We met on a blind date. I started writing when my children, Rebecca and Robert, were little. As you can see, they have grown up as I have grown as a writer. My oldest son, Michael, died in the year 2000 at the age of 20 from complications associated with his cerebral palsy.
  
Pictured above, my husband Rick, daughter Becky, and son Robert. Son Michael, shown here in 1996, taught all of us the meaning of unconditional love. We are each a better person for having known and loved Michael.
Two long-haired cats, "Pippi" and "Ringo," are currently part of the family. "Rackety," a young racoon, visits the deck every night for leftovers and flocks of birds visit birdfeeders throughout the yard.
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