Writing

From acclaimed web-based media to local, national, and international publications, Jen provides timely and engaging content ranging from articles, guest blogs, and podcasts to scholarly chapters, authored books, and publication management.

Jen loves investigating what media tells us about social mores surrounding race, class, sexuality, and gender in a particular time or place. Her focus, always through an intersectional feminist lens, is on history, popular culture, media literacy, identity politics, social justice, geek culture, leadership, and community-building.

Contact her for writing, editing, project management, and consulting rates.

Books

As with most cult phenomena loved long after its debut, no one could have predicted the enduring affection inspired by Joss Whedon’s television series, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Its use of smart, funny, and emotionally resonant narrative, subversive and feminist characterizations, and unique approaches to television as an art form render it a source of inspiration for fans both existing and newly introduced. Fans create meaning by building on existing narratives through such ‘phenomena’ as fan fiction, media manipulation, and performance. They voice concerns, express and celebrate fandom, and create transformational communities not unlike Buffy’s Scoobies themselves. Learn more

Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors

From Wonder Woman to Buffy Summers, Emma Peel to Sydney Bristow, Charlie’s Angels to The Powerpuff Girls, Superwomen are more than just love interests or sidekicks who stand by their Supermen. Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology shows how the female hero in modern mythology has broken through the boy’s club barrier of tradition and reveals the pivotal role of high-heeled crimefighters in popular culture. Featuring spies and sexuality, daddy’s girls and super-mothers, this is a comprehensive, engaging and thought-provoking guide to female detectives, meta-humans and action heroines, as well as their creators, directors, performers, and consumers. The book also includes a glossary of modern mythic women, from Aeon to Zoë, as well as a foreword by acclaimed cultural commentator Roz Kaveney, author of Superheroes! Capes and Crusaders in Comics and Films. Learn more

Selected Book Chapters

Reader Superhelden

Lukas Etter / Thomas Nehrlich / Joanna Nowotny (Hg.)
»Die Geburt der modernen Mythologie und der Mutter aller weiblichen Superhelden*«

Chapter 1 of Ink-Stained Amazons: Superwomen in Modern Mythology, “The Birth of Modern Mythology and the Mother of Female Superheroes” was translated into German and included in this reader.

“Choosing Her ‘Fae’te: Subversive Sexuality and Lost Girl’s Re/evolutionary Female Hero.”

Heroines of Film and Television: Portrayals in Popular Culture, Edited by Norma Jones, Maja Bajac-Carter, and Bob Batchelor. Lanham: Rowan & Littlefield, 2014.

“Love Will Bring You to Your Gift: On Redemption, Collaboration, and Compassion,”

The Superhero Reader, Edited by Charles Hatfield, Jeet Heer, and Kent Worcester. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2013.

“Lois Lane.”

Icons of the American Comic Book : From Captain America to Wonder Woman, Edited by Randy Duncan and Matthew J. Smith. Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 2013.

“What Is a (Female) Superhero?”

What Is a Superhero? Edited by Robin S. Rosenberg and Peter Coogan. New York: Oxford University Press, 2013.

“Second Wave Feminism in the Pages of Lois Lane.”

Critical Approaches to Comics: Theories and Methods. Edited by Randy Duncan and Matthew J. Smith. New York: Routledge, 2012.

Selected Print Articles

“Focus on Trina Robbins”

Feminist Media Histories, Vol. 4 No. 3, Summer 2018; (pp. 119-134) DOI: 10.1525/fmh.2018.4.3.119
This interview with Trina Robbins took place during a panel at the 2016 Comics Arts Conference, and was conducted by Jennifer K. Stuller. (Transcribed by Kathleen McClancy.)

“Leveling Up: Geek Woman Are Connecting Like Never Before.”

Bitch Magazine, Winter 2015.
Geek women, nerds, and fans have long existed as consumers and creators of geek culture. And now, thanks to the Internet, they’re creating new alliances like never before. Jennifer K. Stuller reports on geek feminism and the rise of the fangirl.

“T is for Michael Tree”

Bitch Magazine, The Noir Issue, Winter 2009
Darkness is defined in this Lexicon of Noir in which, Ms. Stuller contributed entries for Ms. Tree and Honey West.

“Queen of the Hill”

Bitch Magazine, The Consumed Issue, Fall 2009
A celebration of Sex-ed, Boggle, and Ren-fair feminism, a Femme Farewell to King of the Hill’s strongest Texan, Peggy Hill. Ho yeah!

“Jim Henson’s Fantastic World: A Retrospective.”

Geek Monthly, September 2009.
The most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, Muppetational Jim Henson exhibition is touring the country. Jennifer K. Stuller reports on its stop in Seattle.

“Operation: You Only Live Twice.”

Geek Monthly, November 2006.
In the centenary of Ian Fleming’s birth, a geek couple lives it up Bond-style in Tokyo and London. They document their adventures so that you, too, can follow in the footsteps of 007.

“Sipping Serenity.”

Washington CEO, December 2005.
Relaxing with Scotch and cigars in Seattle and beyond.

Selected Web Articles

How to Get Pumped for a Wonder Woman Workout

DC Universe, 17 September 2018
About to take on a big challenge? A test of strength — physical, mental, or emotional? This motivational mix tape of music, gear, and story will get you ready to unleash hell.

“The Joy of Female Power.”

Bitch Media, 6 March 2017.
In honor of the 20th anniversary of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bitch featured three writers offering their perspective on how Buffy impacted their feminism and perspectives in “20 Years of Buffy: Love Letters to the Vampire Slayer,” in tribute to the show that taught a generation to slay the monsters, embrace their dark complexities, and find their superhero strength.

“Making a Better, Smarter ‘Strong Female Character.’”

Bitch Media, 8 July 2016.
This essay explores what we mean when we use the phrase “strong female character,” and how that should really translate to diverse and complex female characters.

“International Women’s Day: Why women can thrive in sci-fi.”

BBC News, 8 March 2016.
Perhaps more so than other genres, including fantasy, spy-fi, and superhero, science fiction provides unique space for provocative and revolutionary considerations of gender, bodies, power, reproduction, community, and heroism.