Valerie Estelle Frankel

Valerie Estelle Frankel is an award-winning author and scholar specializing in pop culture analysis, with a particular focus on gender representation and narrative structures in fiction. She has written over 100 books, including acclaimed works such as "The Villain’s Journey," "History, Pop Culture, and Hidden Meanings in Hamilton," and "Star Wars Meets the Eras of Feminism." Her parodies, including the "Henry Potty" series, have earned her prestigious accolades such as the Dream Realm Award, Indie Excellence Award, and USA Book News National Best Book Award.

Frankel’s scholarship often explores the heroine’s journey and evolving feminist themes in media, as seen in her guides "From Girl to Goddess," "Superheroines and the Epic Journey," and "The Many Faces of Katniss Everdeen." Her work extends to contemporary examinations of franchises like "Game of Thrones" and "The Mandalorian," as well as broader explorations of Jewish science fiction and fantasy. As an editor, she oversees an academic series on Jewish speculative fiction for Bloomsbury/Lexington Press, further cementing her expertise in the intersection of culture, identity, and genre storytelling.

A dedicated educator, Frankel has taught at San Jose State University, Mission College, and San Jose City College. She is also a sought-after speaker at academic and fan conventions, where she shares her insights on narrative theory and cultural criticism. Beyond her scholarly pursuits, her children’s book "Chelm for the Holidays" was selected by PJ Library, highlighting her versatility as a writer across multiple genres and audiences.