Jody Savage
(she/her) Alum, Mentor
Jody Savage is an author and advocate for older women's creativity, currently living in North Carolina. Her first published book was a scientific memoir, "The Year of the Mite," under the pen name Jane Ishka. Her subsequent books, all under the pen name Stella Fosse, include the novels "Brilliant Charming Bastard," about the smart revenge taken by three women scientists when they discover they are dating the same lying dilettante who is stealing their ideas for his invention. The first in her Vampire Matriarchs series, "Vampires of a Certain Age," launched in September 2023 on Jody's 70th birthday.
Artist‘s Statement
I arrived at writing material of my choosing after a career as a technical writer. I bring to the process a collage of identities: Old Southern white woman. Mother of a wheelchair-riding son. Mother of a Vietnamese-born daughter. Mother-in-law of a transgender man and his transgender partner.
My work breaks stereotypes, including the ageism and sexism that burdens older women. In addition to my own fiction, I make way for older women to push back on gendered ageism through their creative work. My next book is "Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance." This writing is a fun revolution.