John Odell

John Odell is an author and emeritus faculty member of the Broadcast Electronic Media Arts Department at City College of San Francisco. He is the author of "Elmer & Virginia" and is currently working on his second book, "Roosevelt, New York: Stories of an American Family." His writing reflects a blend of personal narrative and historical exploration, often drawing from his own experiences and family history.

Before transitioning to writing and teaching, Odell had a distinguished career in television news spanning over twenty-five years. He worked primarily as a video editor but also as a writer, producer, and reporter. His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including seven Emmy Awards and a Silver Medal from the New York International Film Festival. As part of ABC’s KGO-TV news team, he shared in a 1989 Peabody Award for coverage of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Odell holds a BA from Columbia University and a Master’s in Mass Communications from San Diego State University. His background also includes service as a Navy photo intelligence officer during the Vietnam War.