About Us
From Indiana Farm Girl to World Traveler
Susan M. Sparks is a writer, photographer, mother of two and entrepreneurial author of The Student Life Jacket.
Growing up on a central Indiana farm, Susan learned the value of hard work and business savvy through 4-H , most importantly the beef project, selecting, raising and selling steers for profit. Her demonstration, “How to Groom a Steer” took her all the way to the Indiana State Fair, where she won her division and a trip to Washington, D.C.
She wrote her first stories about her pony, an orphan lamb and self-published her first book in the 5th grade, which went on to be a stage play presented to the entire class.
She continued creating compelling content throughout her high school and college years, earning a B.S. degree in Journalism from Ball State University, where she worked as a contributor to The
Daily News and The Orient, BSU’s yearbook. She made a big splash at BSU by spearheading the “Big Jump” – a publicity event to boost yearbook sales-which was filmed for Toyota and presented at their national convention.
In 1986, Susan met her husband Seth Koerner, and moved to central Iowa, where she served as Hampton Chronicle and Times Editor and News Editor and On-Air Announcer on KWGG radio. Within a few years, her husband was commissioned as a Lt. in the U.S. Navy and their worldwide adventure began, with duty stations in Great Lakes, IL, Sigonella, Sicily, Bethesda, MD and Santa Rita, Guam before returning to the Great Lakes area.
Living and traveling around the world, Susan has adapted her talents in writing and photography to fit the location, working as a freelance writer, wedding and portrait photographer and Navy Public Affairs contractor. She has been published in several publications including Country Living, Military Living Magazine, NavyVolunteer!, The Navigator and The Great Lakes Bulletin as well as numerous on-line sites, (All published as Susan M. Koerner).
Susan credits her experiences in moving around the world, discovering new cultures and keeping a family organized as an “out of the frying pan, into the fire” training program. She has experienced volcano eruptions, 7.1 earthquakes and super typhoons along with the upheaval that is otherwise known as a military move.
Her awards include the Chief of Information Merit Award from the U.S. Navy as a civilian contributor in the news division. She was also awarded the Accolade of Photographic Mastery from WPPI.
Now a divorced mother of two college students, Susan is the author of The Student Life Jacket and owner of ASAP Writing Services.
Her company, ASAP Writing Services, provides copywriting, ghostwriting and editing services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. She created The Student Life Jacket in order to help young adults manage the new demands of keeping their personal information safe and accessible, which helps them achieve confidence, independence and success.
