Fun Facts Friday: Janet Asimov

Janet Asimov (6 August, 1926 – 25 February, 2019) was a science-fiction writer, as well as a psychologist.

Books by Janet Asimov / J.O. Jeppson*

Fun Facts about Janet Asimov:

1. Janet Opal Jeppson was born in Ashland, PA. The author wrote under the nom de plume J. O. Jeppson.
2. The author’s started writing in the 1970s, her books were science-fiction geared towards children.
3. Jeppson attended Wellesley College, but graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Stanford. Afterwards, Ms. Jeppson attended the New York University Medical School to get her M.D. degree. She did her psychiatry residency in Bellevue Hospital, and graduated from the William Alanson White Institute of Psychoanalysis.
4. The author’s first published work was published in the May 1966 issue of The Saint Mystery Magazine.
5. In 1970 Ms. Jeppson started dating Isaac Asimov almost immediately after he separated from his wife Gertrude Blugerman. The couple got married in 1973.
6. On her wedding day, Mrs. Asimov learned that her second novel, The Second Experiment, was published to be published. The novel was published, under her maiden name, in 1974.
7. The Asimovs were married until Mr. Asimov passed away from complications related to HIV, which he contracted during a blood transfusion in 1983 during a heart bypass surgery.
8. Janet Asimov wanted to publicize the cause of her husband’s death, however the doctors insisted on keeping it a secret. Mrs. Asimov publicized the real reason for his death after all the doctors which wanted it kept a secret passed away,
9. Asimov noticed her husband’s symptoms and, after consulting medical texts, insisted that he’ll be test for HIV. Mr. Asimov’s doctors disagreed with her diagnosis, but they were wrong.
10. Asimov published around two dozen books, as well as being the science columnist for the Los Angeles Times Syndicate. For a time, Ms. Asimov was also the director of training at the William Alanson White Institute.

Books by Janet Asimov / J.O. Jeppson*

Zohar – Man of la Book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account