Judith Irene Gotwald

Judith Gotwald is a Pennsylvanian-at-large, having lived in central and western parts of the state, before settling in Philadelphia. She has operated a communications business, specializing in writing and graphic design, for more than 30 years.

She once worked as a stringer for a daily newspaper and as a news editor for several regional magazines and newspapers.

As a free-lance writer, she explores many genres.

In 2010, a friend asked Judy to help her 89-year-old father with a bucket list project—writing a novel. Still Standing: Surviving Custer's Last Battle imagines what might have happened if the doomed army officer survived to influence American politics with his beautiful wife, Elizabeth Bacon Custer. "I wrote the book in 2011, but was surprised that so many topics within the book paralleled today's political scene," Judy commented.

Judy grew up among preachers in the Lutheran Church at a time when women were not accepted as church leaders—unless they were married to the preacher! She has blogged extensively on church issues, always from the lay point of view, and develops resources for small, underserved churches. (2x2virtualchurch.com)

Undercover Bishop is a parable for today's churches that explores the value of small congregations (most congregations).

Her work developing curriculum materials influenced her to write children's stories as well.

Her book, Stories with Grandfather, was drawn on her eight-year-old son's experience when his father suffered a severe stroke.