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Janet_headshot2.jpg

Photo by Suz McFadden

Hi! I’m Janet,

WRITER AND EDITOR

As the daughter of a New York publishing executive, I grew up in a house full of books and was determined to write them. When I was in high school, my father showed one of my poems to Steinbeck's editor. He wasn't impressed. Nonetheless, I persisted. With two degrees in English—a bachelor’s cum laude from Oberlin and a master’s from the University of Michigan, plus study at University of Glasgow—I should have been doubly unemployable, particularly after taking time to raise children. But I became an award-winning journalist, writing features for San Francisco Bay Area newspapers as well as magazines and online sites.For many years I wrote about books, interviewing dozens of authors and writing reviews. I also edited books. Retirement didn’t take. 

After many years as senior editor at J. The Jewish News of Northern California, I continue as a columnist and freelancer.  I live in Silicon Valley with my husband, an engineer-inventor-baritone. We sing together in three chorales and travel worldwide. We enjoy time with our four children, eight grandchildren, and new great-grandson. A self-described haphazard gourmet and passionate gardener, I grow herbs, make bone broth, and take pride in my pesto.

Oh, the Places I’ve Been!

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