Jeanne Kalogridis (pronounced Jean Kal-o-GREED-us), also known by the pseudonym J.M. Dillard, is an American writer of historical, science, and horror fiction. Born in 1954, she hails from Florida. Jeanne pursued her education at the University of South Florida, where she earned a BA in Russian followed by an MA in Linguistics.

After completing her studies, Jeanne dedicated her time to teaching English as a foreign language at the American University in Washington, D.C. She later moved to the West Coast to focus on her writing career. Currently, Jeanne resides in California, sharing her life with an overly adored Labrador retriever.

In her leisure time, Jeanne enjoys practicing yoga and indulging in reading a wide array of literature. Her passion for languages and storytelling has crafted her reputation as a distinguished author.