Jo Riccioni is an Australian author known for her fantasy and literary fiction. She holds a Masters in Medieval Literature from Leeds University, where her studies of Icelandic sagas and Arthurian legends later influenced her writing. Her debut novel, "The Italians at Cleat's Corner Store," won the International Rubery Award for Fiction in 2015, while her short stories have been featured in "Best Australian Stories 2010" and "Best Australian Stories 2011." Riccioni's fantasy series, "The Branded Season," reflects her commitment to centering women and their experiences within the epic fantasy genre.
Riccioni's diverse career has spanned multiple industries and continents, including roles as a teacher, editor, and manuscript assessor. Her global experiences inform her writing, which often blends rich historical and mythological influences with contemporary themes. Currently residing in Sydney, she balances her creative work with teaching, though she humorously notes her subjects - creative writing and sex education - remain distinctly separate.