Writer's Week
Sept. 23, 2015
 Deadline for next edition Oct. 2

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President's Message
Kaye Spector - high res
Kaye Spector
EIJ conference professionally enriching

I just got back from Excellence in Journalism, SPJ's national convention in Orlando.
 
This was my first time and I must say, this three-day event was among the most professionally enriching experiences I have had in recent years. On a personal level, the convention was a welcome opportunity to simply marinate in journalism for three days among like-minded people.
 
The wall-to-wall sessions on useful, relevant topics ranged from the latest online tools to dealing with comments on your website to advice on what to do if you're in the middle of an unruly protest.
 
One of the valuable sessions I attended was an information-packed and lively editing workshop presented by the American Copy Editors Society, a group I hope to get better acquainted with. Topics ranged from how to write a great headline for your online story to why well-edited stories improve your online credibility. Revelation of the day: Singular 'they' is gaining acceptance (for example, "a person who wants to open their bank account" instead of the cumbersome "his or her").
 
At the awards ceremony during President's Installation Banquet, I heard so many wonderful, funny and sometimes sad stories about the ground-breaking work that our fellow journalists are doing. To learn about how these reporters overcame great obstacles or suffered personal loss in the pursuit of their stories was truly moving. For example, one reporter who was honored Sunday lost his job because of a series of stories he wrote; his editor told him he had to fire him because his stories had upset some important businessmen in town.
 
At the SPJ business meeting, there was a deep and at times heated discussion about changing the organization's name from the Society of Professional Journalists to the Society for Professional Journalism. This topic has surfaced a number of times at the national convention in recent years. Proponents of the name change say it would be more inclusive and reflect the changing nature of journalism - that journalism is no longer practiced solely by employees of news media organizations. Those who oppose the measure worry about diluting SPJ's mission or call for a re-examination of the mission before changing the name. Either way, the matter still remains undecided after a vote to table the issue for another year.
 
You can check out more about what happened at the convention through the on-site coverage from SPJ's EIJ News or by searching Twitter using the hashtag #EIJ15.
 
I'm also excited to share that the SPJ Cleveland Pro Chapter won the SPJ Circle of Excellence Award for Communications at the convention. This honor reflects the hard work of our board members to improve our communications over the last year through our revamped website, our updated e-newsletter Writers' Week, and our streamlined social media platforms.
 
Next year's convention will be Sept. 18-20 in New Orleans, and I hope you'll consider attending. Reconnecting with journalism - and the men and women who practice it - has the power to rekindle our passion and commitment to this profession of which we are fortunate to be a part.
 
Kaye Spector
President, Cleveland Pro Chapter
 
Ohio SPJ Awards onboard Belle of Cincinnati 

Spend three hours aboard the Belle of Cincinnati and toast the top journalists in Ohio on Oct. 24 at the annual Ohio SPJ Awards celebration.

Tickets are $50, which includes lunch, the cruise and a chance to network with the best in the field in Ohio. For details on the event, maps and directions, and online ticket purchases, visit the link below.   
This newsletter goes out to members two days earlier than to our many subscribers who are not SPJ members. This gives our members first crack at the jobs and other opportunities listed here. If you're not yet a member of SPJ, but thinking about it, check out this list of other reasons to sign up:



Group of event related 3D words. Part of a series.
Careers
 
Oct. 7
Literary Cleveland 
Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m.
Between the Lines: Conversations with local authors at The Happy Dog
with Sam Thomas
author of "The Midwife's Tale"

League of Women Voters
presents
 Zephyr Teachout, author of
"Corruption in America: From Benjamin Franklin's Snuff Box to Citizen's United"
Two lectures:
Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 pm
West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 
20401 Hilliard Blvd. in Rocky River
Free and open to the public
Friday, Nov.6 at noon
Cleveland Marshall College of Law 
Faculty Conference Room
1801 Euclid Ave. Cleveland 44115
Cleveland State University
Free and open to the public

Click for more info

Nov. 13

Press Club of Cleveland
2015 Journalism Hall of Fame Dinner
and Chuck Heaton Award Ceremony
 

Sept. 24

Cleveland Digital Publishers Users Group
Reach New Clients and Markets with Podcasting
Attend CDPUG's meeting for September to
learn what a podcast is, about the podcast audience, what it takes to launch a Podcast, and how to turn subscribers into clients. 
Oct. 9

The Press Club of Cleveland
The Race for Dominance
Among Cleveland's Big 3 Hospitals 
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Music Box Supper Club
1148 Main Avenue
Cleveland, OH  44113 Panelists Chris Seper of MedCity, Sarah Jane Tribble of Ideastream and Casey Ross of the Plain Dealer Moderator Monica Robins, WKYC

Click for more info

Oct. 24

The Ohio SPJ Awards
Hosted by the Cincinnati Chapter
on board the Belle of Cincinnati
Tickets $50
include lunch and the cruise
Come along
and network with
Ohio's best journalists!

More info and tickets here 

Members' Benefits

Did you know that SPJ members get a discount on thousands of products at Office Max and Office Depot? When members of the Cleveland board discussed this new membership benefit at the September meeting, those who had used it suggested that it could cover the cost of their SPJ memberships.

"I save at least $10 a month at Office Max alone, and my membership costs me $8-something on the monthly payment plan," said Carrie Buchanan, an SPJ board member since 2009. "So basically, I'm not paying anything for my membership any more."

The discount is not a flat rate across the board; it varies depending on the product. But for the usual things board members said they tend to buy at these stores (paper, printer ink, stationery supplies, filing supplies) the discount seems to average about 10 percent on the purchases we have made since these new discount cards arrived. So if you have a home office and you have been holding off on joining SPJ for financial reasons, think again!

More info here

More benefits: Free training to grow your career

Whether you're a downsized veteran seeking another job, a college senior hoping to enter the market soon or just looking for the next rung on your career ladder, learn some tips for pursuing and landing your next journalism job.

Find out more here
 
Job opportunities
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCER
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, OH
 
Produces high quality health news content for the Cleveland Clinic News Service. Develops consumer-friendly, interesting health content for news outlets and social media channels that advance the health education mission of Cleveland Clinic. Arranges and conducts interviews and writes medical/health news material for local, regional, national and international media outlets and Cleveland Clinic social media channels. Assesses the most important medical/health news stories of the day, quickly disseminating complex information from medical journal studies and pitches those stories to media outlets around the world. Creatively generates health related social media content to be distributed on social media channels. Identifies, in a timely fashion, the best possible physician or other health expert within the Cleveland Clinic to interview for the medical news story of the day. Quickly grasps the most substantive part of the story and asks the questions necessary to produce a compelling, accurate and easy to understand story for the media outlets. Transcribes interviews and video for future news stories. Produces long-form stories which require knowledge of new innovations and medical procedures that are happening at Cleveland Clinic. Uses that information to report, produce and write accurate and compelling stories that media outlets will find interesting enough to air. Maintains and updates the Cleveland Clinic News Service Website on a weekly basis. Responsible for writing high-quality, factual content that requires minimal editing. Works effectively in a team environment and within tight deadlines. Supports requests from media contacts in meeting their deadlines. Works closely with the photojournalist and editor to advance the look of a compelling story. Edits video and audio on a non-linear editing system as needed. Other duties as assigned. 
 
EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree required with emphasis on Communications, English, Journalism or related field.
 
 

Apply here

HEALTH CARE-HIGHER EDUCATION REPORTER
Crain's Cleveland Business 
 
Crain's Cleveland Business is seeking an energetic reporter to cover the high-profile beats of health care and higher education. This individual will have the opportunity to cover one of the country's most competitive and respected health care markets as well as an evolving higher-education space grappling with new student demands, increased government oversight and disruptive technology. 

MANAGING EDITOR

Inside Business Magazine
Cleveland, OH
DESCRIPTION:
Inside Business, a business magazine covering Northeast Ohio, seeks a Managing Editor. We're looking for a versatile editor with experience in reporting, writing and editing magazine-style features. The ideal candidate will possess well-honed editing and rewriting skills, have a knack for telling engaging business stories, be detail-oriented with an affection for AP style and superior copyediting skills.
 
RESPONSIBILITIES:
    • Develop, write and edit stories for 
      Inside Business Magazine, including long-form features
    • Assign, edit and direct special awards sections
    • Prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
    • Manage existing social media sites, as well as monitor brand's image on social media. 
    • Work with clients to produce high-quality custom projects.
    • Copyedit all editorial pages.
    • Rewrite copy and check facts as needed.
    • Meet all editorial and production deadlines.
    • Attend occasional evening business networking events.
QUALIFICATIONS:
    • A degree in communications, journalism or a related field.
    • 3 or more years experience in newspaper, magazine or trade journalism.
    • Excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills.
    • 4-6 clips that show skill at vivid magazine writing.
    • Solid grounding in journalism ethics and values.
    • Must take direction and assert ideas quickly.
    • Must have strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to handle a number of projects simultaneously.
    • Professional experience as a copy or desk-level editor extremely helpful.
    • Familiarity with business writing, editing and content marketing.
    • Social media experience a plus.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Send cover letter containing salary requirements along with resume and work samples to: Editorial Department, Great Lakes Publishing, 1422 Euclid Ave. Suite 730, Cleveland, OH 44115 or email to with the Subject line of, "Managing Editor, Inside Business." No phone calls, please. Qualified candidates will be contacted.

Click to apply
 
 REPORTER -- HEARST TELEVISION
Cincinnati  
 
WLWT, the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati is looking for a dynamic storyteller who wants to join our morning news team! Show us you can enterprise, research and produce stories that compel an audience to watch. Strong writing and dynamic live shots are a must. Ability to shoot and edit video is a plus.

Job Responsibilities
In addition to reporting during newscasts throughout the week you will also be responsible for regular contributions to Cincinnati's #1 television website, wlwt.com, by both writing and posting. You must be able to incorporate all available resources, such as video, natural sound and electronic graphics to enhance stories.

Required Experience
    • A minimum of 4 years reporting experience required
    • College Degree in broadcasting or related field
Apply here


MARKETING & CONTENT COORDINATOR
TPC Wire Cable Company
Macedonia, OH

Job Purpose: 
The purpose of the position is to create content, coordinate projects and support the marketing team in daily marketing activities. This position is a mid-level position in marketing. Specifically, the Marketing & Content Coordinator's responsibilities include the following:
  • Coordinate projects and provide support to the Sr. Marketing Manager and Marketing team with Marketing and PR initiatives that provide measurable ROI for the company. 
  • Create, coordinate and execute original, thought-provoking content for TPC Wire & Cable Corp - both print and electronic collateral to be used to support 10 Market Segments: auto, metals & minerals, food and beverage, government, industrial manufacturing, mining, oil & gas, transportation, utility, wood pulp & paper and new markets. This includes printed collateral, product guides and presentations, call scripts, website content, blog posts, landing pages email blasts, press releases, advertisements, promotions, newsletters, video scripts , podcast scripts, webinars and marketing reports. 
  • Manage / Coordinate all social media efforts and develop new methods to engage customers on social platforms.
    Provide organization.
 
Internships & Fellowships
ALTERNATIVE PRESS

Alternative Press, a national music magazine published in Cleveland, is looking for interns, particularly students with experience as section editors, artists and marketing students. Their offices are at West 78th Street. See their website for more information about the magazine.
Apply by email to

internship@altpress.com  

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Writer's Week is a service of the Cleveland chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.  

This newsletter is produced by

Editor: Carrie Buchanan, assistant professor, Tim Russert School of Communication & Theatre Arts, John Carroll University,
Assistant Editor: Stephanie Phelps, broadcast journalist.

Contact us: Please send news items and job & internship postings to spjcleveland@gmail.com    
 
Chapter President: Kaye Spector, mks0511@gmail.com