Susana Soca was the daughter of an eminent doctor. She spent most of her childhood travelling through Europe with her father on scientific expeditions.
Dr. Franscico Soco was a keen follower of Charcot and Potain, and was also associated with the literary personalities of his era, such as Proust and Pierre Loti.

After her father's death in 1938, Susana immersed herself in Parisian life, mixing with an array of writers and artists including Maurice Blanchot, Nicolas de Stael, Drieu la Rochelle and Pablo Picasso. She was photographed by Giséle Freund and Picasso painted her portrait.

Living through the occupation in Paris in 1947 she was inspired to found a publishing house, offering freedom of expression to a generation of young writers.