Written by: Penelope Wildwood

Susan Isaacs: The Prolific Novelist and Screenwriter

Susan Isaacs is a renowned American novelist, essayist, and screenwriter, best known for adapting her debut novel, Compromising Positions, into a successful film in 1985. Her work has been translated into thirty languages, cementing her status as a literary powerhouse.

Early Life and Education

Born on December 7, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, Isaacs was raised by her parents, Helen Asher Isaacs, a homemaker, and Morton Isaacs, an electrical engineer. She developed a passion for English literature, which led her to major in English and minor in economics at Queens College.

Rise to Prominence

After college, Isaacs worked as a senior editor at Seventeen magazine and freelanced as a political speechwriter. However, it was her decision to leave the workforce in 1970 to raise her newborn son that marked a turning point in her writing career. During this time, she began freelancing, writing magazine articles and speeches, which eventually led to the publication of her debut novel, Compromising Positions, in 1978.

Career Highlights and Major Works

Isaacs' writing career spans over three decades, with notable works including:

• Compromising Positions (1978) - her debut novel, adapted into a film in 1985
• Brave Dames and Wimpettes: What Women Are Really Doing on Page and Screen (1997) - a work of cultural criticism
• A Hint of Strangeness (2001) - a novella
• Shining Through (1982) - a novel, adapted into a film in 1992
• Hello Again (1987) - a screenplay, co-produced with Touchstone Pictures

Influence on Modern Society

Isaacs' writing has had a significant impact on modern society, particularly in the realm of feminism and women's representation in media. Her essays and op-eds have addressed topics such as women's roles in politics, the portrayal of women in film, and First Amendment issues.

Awards and Honors

Isaacs' work has been recognized with several honors, including:

• Member of the National Book Critics Circle
• Reviews published in esteemed publications such as The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and Newsday

Personal Life and Milestones

Isaacs has been married to Elkan Abramowitz, a lawyer, since 1968. She has two children, a son and a daughter, born in 1970 and 1973, respectively. She currently resides on Long Island with her husband.

Legacy and Inspirational Story

Susan Isaacs' remarkable journey from stay-at-home mom to accomplished novelist and screenwriter serves as an inspiration to women and writers everywhere. Her dedication to her craft, perseverance, and commitment to exploring complex social issues have earned her a lasting place in the world of literature and beyond.