Writer's Week
Nov. 3, 2015 
Deadline for next edition Nov. 13
Our November program ... 
Interviewing tips for reporters

Reporting is not just about writing and producing a story. When you don't ask the right questions of the right people, you may as well be writing fiction.

Join the Cleveland Pro Chapter of SPJ on Nov. 15 at the Barley House on West 6th as we hear from three reporters who have agreed to share some their best tips for when it comes to getting the right information for your story.

Our panelists are:
Brian Bull, WCPN/ideastream
Ron Regan, Newschannel 5 
James Sheeler, Case Western Reserve University (formerly of the Rocky Mountain News)

Our panelists will discuss the ins and outs of interviewing.  You can discover best practices, new strategies and useful tips for print, radio, and television interviews.

The program begins at 7 p.m., with social hour starting at 6:30. Your admission fee covers light snacks. There will be a cash bar.  RSVPs are a must, so that we know how much food to order.

 Sign up here
President's Message
Kaye Spector - high res
Kaye Spector 
Ohio's best journalists feted
aboard Cincinnati riverboat 
 
Had a great time at the Ohio SPJ Awards ceremony in Cincinnati on Oct. 24. The event, held aboard the riverboat Belle of Cincinnati, recognized more than 275 Ohio journalists for their outstanding work both in print and online.

More than 600 print and online entries were received from more than 1,000 journalists at 35 separate news organizations in Ohio.The judging was done by SPJ chapters in Florida.

The annual event is truly a collaborative effort. I was honored to help pass out the awards to the 60 or so people who attended, alongside Joe Meyer, the Central Ohio board president.. Tom McKee, president of the Cincinnati chapter, and Cleveland chapter secretary Tom Moore shared the emcee duties along with Cleveland board member Tony Kozlowski, who made sure the myriad logistics of the award ceremony flowed  
  
The Ohio SPJ Awards were hosted this year by the Cincinnati Professional Chapter. The three Ohio chapters take turns hosting and share responsibility for organizing the awards.
Supporting this group was an even larger committee of people from the Central Ohio, Cincinnati and Cleveland chapters, whose hard work this year seamlessly transitioned the event to a new administrator. The committee is continuing to study variousaspects of the event to see where we can be more efficient, save money and improve the revenue side.

Northeast Ohio had an excellent showing in the contest this year, particularly in the smaller-circulation categories. I invite you to peruse the awards program on the SPJ Cleveland Pro Chapter website and to watch our Facebook page, as we plan to post links to the award-winning stories. In the meantime, enjoy these photos of the event. 
Kaye Spector 
President
Cleveland Pro Chapter


Clevelander Tom Moore was one of the two MCs. Here he has his back to the camera while announcing.
 
As Tom Moore announces awards another Cleveland board member Tony Kozlowski is at the table behind him organizing items to be presented 
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


Nov. 13
Press Club of Cleveland 
2015 Journalism Hall of Fame Dinner
and Chuck Heaton Award Ceremony 
For more information
 
Nov. 13-16
JCC Jewish Book Fest 
For more information
Click here
 
Dec. 1
Literary Cleveland presents
Getting the words right:
A fiction Workshop with Kevin Keating
For more information
Click here

Dec. 5
SPJ JournCamp
Spend the day getting up to speed on journalism's latest tricks & tools with some of SPJ's best national trainers
For more information
Click here 
 


Nov. 14
SPJ Central Ohio Chapter
 Career Development Workshop
 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
at Ohio State University's
Journalism Building
in Columbus
Free, hands-on workshop targeted toward central Ohio journalists who are transitioning or looking for new career opportunities.For the many central Ohio journalists who have been laid off, may be laid off or are transitioning to new jobs.
For more information and

 
Nov. 18
SPJ Cleveland Pro Chapter
Interviewing tips for reporters

6:30 p.m. social
7-8:30 p.m. program
The Barley House

1261 West 6th Street 
Cleveland, OH 44113

See details in story above
 To sign up click here 

Members' benefits for students 

Students get SPJ memberships at a half-price discount, not just while they are in college but also for three years following graduation. This could be a time when you are moving to a new city to start a career and most need the networking, career support, training workshops and other benefits of an SPJ membership. 

Find out more here
 
Job opportunities
STATEHOUSE REPORTER 
Gongwer News Service
Columbus

Gongwer News Service is seeking a full-time reporter to cover state government and politics from the company's Columbus offices. The person  selected will contribute to Gongwer's Ohio Report, which is read by leaders across the state and nation.  That work would include covering legislative committees and sessions, statewide officeholder activities, state agency meetings and developments, and political news.
The reporter will also contribute to the company's variety of online news and legislative information services.
A background in daily news reporting is strongly recommended.Experience in covering government operations and politics, and interest in public policy is preferred. Familiarity with blogging, social media and web design a plus.
Gongwer offers competitive salaries, a comprehensive insurance package, a 401(k) retirement plan, with employer matches and several other benefits. Those interested should send a cover letter, resume, clips and salary requirements to Kent Cahlander, Editor, at kcahlandergongwer-oh.com by Nov. 6.



GENERAL ASSIGNMENT REPORTER
Times-Gazette
Ashland
The Times-Gazette in Ashland, Ohio, is seeking a full-time reporter for the Ashland area. Must have solid writing and reporting skills. This position requires the reporter to be highly productive in addition to producing quality writing. Comfort with social media would be a plus. Send cover letter, resume and examples of your work to Lance White, editor, lwhite@times-gazette.com. 

Click to apply  
 
 
EDITOR
Civitas Media 
Southeastern Ohio

We are offering a great opportunity as editor of a southeastern Ohio newspaper and multimedia organization. Primary responsibilities include overseeing a news staff and directing the coverage of a dynamic and diverse region. Benefits include working with a great team of local employees across all departments.

Previous experience as an editor is preferred. The ideal applicant will have strong strong leadership qualities, a positive attitude, team oriented perspective, creative personality, good editing and writing skills, knowledge and skills across all digital and social media platforms, and the ability to oversee and produce multiple stories per day on deadline. Salary commensurate with experience. Vacation, sick leave included, insurance coverage available.  

Apply with resume and a cover letter explaining why you are the ideal individual for this position. Also include editing, writing or reporting samples. Send to gabernathy@civitasmedia.com.  

REPORTER
Cleveland Jewish News 
The Cleveland Jewish News has an Immediate opening for a full time reporter with that old-fashioned "nose for news" to cover breaking news, hard news, spot news, features and entertainment for our weekly newspaper and 24/6 website as well as taking photos, videos, social media, etc. Reporters also write long form for our style and fashion magazines.  
We compete with all other media to break stories, have won 34 awards in the last two years, including being named best non-daily newspaper in Ohio this year. We have expanded the reach of our newspaper and this past year covered the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Republican Presidential Primary - stories not typically covered by a weekly newspaper.  
In addition to the newspaper and magazines, we also publish magazines for various communities and have a robust events division. 

Candidates should have a minimum of two years of daily newspaper experience, be self-starters, work independently, be team players, have the ability to handle multiple assignments, adhere to rigorous deadlines, produce high-quality content and know AP style.  
If interested, please send a resume and three clips to editorial@cjn.org.

The Cleveland Jewish Publication Co. offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits, including medical, dental and 401(k). The CJPC is an equal opportunity employer. 
 
It's the season to enter SPJ's national awards

Sigma Delta Chi Awards

The Society of Professional Journalists will accept submissions for the 2015 Sigma Delta Chi Awards, which honor the best in professional journalism, starting on Nov. 2.
 
The awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became known as the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.
 
Submissions must be received by Feb. 5. Work must have been published or broadcasted during 2015 to be considered.
 
The contest is open to any U.S. or international media outlet. Many categories have multiple divisions based on market size or circulation. Take note: SPJ members receive 40 percent off submission fees!

Mark of Excellence Awards
 
Beginning Nov. 2 entries are also being accepted for SPJ's Mark of Excellence Awards. These awards acknowledge the best work of student journalists and are a part of the SPJ mission to improve and protect journalism.

Any student enrolled in a U.S. or international college or university, studying for an academic degree in 2015, is eligible to submit an entry. Students with full-time professional journalism experience, not including internships, are not eligible.

The submission deadline is Jan. 22. To qualify, all work must have been published or broadcast in 2015. SPJ student members receive an entry fee discount of 50 percent. 

Judging starts at the regional level with first place regional winners advancing to the national competition. Regional winners are announced at the annual spring conference held in each region.

For details visit SPJ's national website


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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