Guest Speaker for January 28
The Heroine’s Journey for Writers
Many are familiar with Joseph Campbell’s theory of the hero’s journey, the idea that every man through myth and literature grows to adulthood while battling his dark alter-ego. This is the Star Wars or Harry Potter plot, a staple for fantasy, 
coming-of-age, and other genres from YA to thriller. Now mythologist Valerie Estelle Frankel explores the classic heroine’s journey step-by-step in ancient myths and modern literature, revealing the other epic journey. In tales as old as Arabian Nights and Cupid and Psyche, heroines battle seductresses and witches to ascend to the role of mother-goddess. We’ll also look at modern works from Gone with the Wind to The Wizard of Oz as we learn to write this ultimate bestseller plot.
Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of From Girl to Goddess: The Heroine’s Journey in Myth and Legend, the first book to examine the heroine’s epic quest in women’s mythology the world over. Her books on pop culture, called Harry Potter: Still Recruiting and Buffy and the Heroine’s Journey will be coming in 2012. She taught English at San Jose State University for several years and was the youngest person ever to receive an MFA in their Creative Writing program. Her shorter works have appeared in over 100 anthologies and journals including Inside Joss’ Dollhouse, The Oklahoma Review, and Rosebud Magazine. Her parody, Henry Potty and the Pet Rock, was winner of the Indie Excellence Award and was a USA Book News National Best Book. She’s a frequent speaker on myth, fantasy, pop culture, and the heroine’s journey, with many fans of all ages. Come explore her latest research at www.vefrankel.com.
