Writer's Week 
Feb. 29, 2016
Deadline for next edition March 11

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President's Message
March 8 program celebrates women in journalism
Mary Frances McGowan
 
Happy March, Writer's Week! My name is Mary Frances McGowan, and I am the president of John Carroll University's chapter of SPJ. Thank you so much for allowing me to use this platform to inform you about a few events our chapter has planned for this month and the next. We hope to see you at these events. Having your expert ears listening to our ideas is invaluable.
 
As you most likely know, March is Women's History Month. My fellow chapter members and myself thought that it would be a fitting time to celebrate local female journalists with a panel entitled "Celebrating Women in Cleveland Media" on Tuesday, March 8 from 7-9 p.m. in the Jardine Room at John Carroll University. On the panel, thus far, will be Micki Byrnes from WKYC, plus Ryllie Danylko and Leila Atassi from Cleveland.com. We have sent invitations to a couple more women and hope they will also be on the panel.
 
We hope to create meaningful discussion about navigating the male-dominated journalistic world as a woman and, most importantly, inspire and encourage young women who intend to pursue journalism to stick with it. Thank you, Cleveland Pro Chapter, for teaming up with us on this event! With your help, I am confident of its success. We hope to see you all there!
 
If you are interested in coming to the event, here's a few pointers for navigating the sometimes very confusing John Carroll grounds. So here's a map. The panel discussion will take place in the DJ Lombardo Student Center, which can be accessed through the Recreation Complex entrance right off of Belvoir Road. Once you enter the doors, we will have signs with SPJ logos on them to guide you to the Jardine room, where the panel will take place. In terms of parking, a lot is situated right next to the Recreation Complex for visitor use; it's also accessed from Belvoir Road.
 
Lastly, the John Carroll Chapter of SPJ is going to be running the Silent Auction at this year's SPJ Regional Conference, April 1-2 in Cincinnati. We encourage you to peruse the Regional Conference website before your visit to see what's being offered, both in the Silent Auction and in the many workshops and panels. We'll be posting pictures of the Silent Auction offerings online, but all the bidding will take place in person at the conference. So check out the items plan to bid on some at the opening reception, Friday night. And make sure you register for the conference here by March 8 to get Early Bird rates!
 
Thank you so much for the opportunity to write in the president's space, Writers' Week! My chapter and I look forward to meeting some of you at both the March 8 panel and the Regional Conference.

Mary Frances McGowan
President, John Carroll University campus chapter
Society of Professional Journalists
 
About this newsletter

Coming events are below the news items, so scroll down. We include events from other organizations as well - all things of interest to professional writers.
Job seekers, find opportunities below the other news.
Students, scroll down past the jobs for internships.
Fellowships are also below, under the internships.
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:

Exclusive program for freelancers provides
access to 20,000 news and business sources
A program developed for the growing freelance community by a veteran journalist is now available on a free trial basis, thanks to a joint venture between former New York Post investigative reporter Brad Hamilton and LexisNexis. In addition to computer-assisted legal research and risk management services, the company provides electronic accessibility of documents.  
 
The program, called ExpertAccess.org, offers a full menu of news sources at a discounted rate to freelances, for $19.95 a month, at the end of the trial period.

Hamilton, currently editor and chief of the Contently Foundation, www.contently.org, said he is always looking for new writers and realized how difficult it is for independent writers to access essential information, so he reached out to LexisNexis to work out a deal.

As a part of the ExpertAccess.org launch, beginning Feb. 29, LexisNexis has set up live webinars to show off the platform and curated events. To access the webinar, sign up at  LexisNexis Freelance Webinar. More help is available if needed, 24 hours a day seven days a week, by calling technical support.
 
One-on-one coaching is also available from Hamilton on how to find sell-able ideas, and the LexisNexis catalog contains a variety of information to develop pitches, complete assignments, ensure accuracy, maintain timeliness through alerts on topics, and how to prevent mistakes that can damage a writer's or reporter's reputation.

The Expert  Access package includes 20,000 curated, indexed and archived sources including: newspapers, magazines, newsletters, legal news, blogs, broadcast transcripts, social media, plus academic studies and government reports. 

To sign up, go to  www.ExpertAccess.org, fill in the information and a Nexis ID will be issued within 24-48 hours. 
 
 



Group of event related 3D words. Part of a series.
Group of event related 3D words. Part of a series.

March 8
Cleveland Pro and John Carroll chapters Society of Professional Journalists
"Celebrating Women in Cleveland Media"
7-9 p.m.
John Carroll University
Jardine Room, Lombardo Student Center
(see map link for parking info)
Admission free of charge
Panelists (so far)
Micki Byrnes, WKYC
Leila Atassi, Cleveland.com
Ryllie Danylko, Cleveland.com
download flyer here


April 1-2
Society of Professional Journalists
Regions 4 and 5 present

A conference to share and learn new information, skills and insights with fellow journalists from eight states, from Pennsylvania to Illinois to Kentucky
Click here to register
(Early Bird rates till March 8)
Click here for conference website
with details on programming, hotel
 

April 11
Ideastream | WVIZ/PBS
"An Evening with Cokie Roberts"
Westfield Insurance Studio Theatre 
The Idea Center at Playhouse Square
1375 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
 
 
March 1
Case Western Reserve University Siegal Lifelong Learning Program's Northeast Ohio Public Policy Series
"Ohio Primaries"
Tuesday, March 1, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Parma-Snow Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library

Brent Larkin, former Editorial Director and Columnist for The Plain Dealer, will moderate a discussion of the upcoming March 15 Republican and Democratic primaries. Panelists will include Plain Dealer Editor George Rodrigue and Cleveland.com columnist Mark Naymik.

Co-sponsored by the Case Western Reserve University Siegal Lifelong Learning Program, League of Women Voters of Greater Cleveland, Cleveland.com, The Plain Dealer, Lakewood Public Library and Cuyahoga County Public Library. Corporate sponsor: First Interstate Properties Ltd.

Part of the Case Western Reserve University Siegal Lifelong Learning Program's Northeast Ohio Public Policy Series.
March 10
Northeast Ohio Society for Technical Communication
"How Mobile will Change Tech Comm"
with Neil Perlin
Akron General Health & Wellness Center (Fairlawn)
4125 Medina Road
Akron, OH 44333
5:30 to 6:00 p.m. - Registration
6:00 to 7:00 p.m. - Dinner
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. - Presentation 

Compete or nominate someone for an SPJ award
   
Ohio's Best Journalism 2016 
COMPETITION CALL FOR ENTRIES  
Honoring the best of Ohio's Print, Broadcast, Digital Media, Freelance, Trade and College Journalism


 Click here for entry information and a list of categories.
  
Ohio's Best Journalism is presented collaboratively by the Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland Pro Chapters of The Society of Professional Journalists and honors print, broadcast, online, trade and college journalists in Ohio for their best work during 2015. It is the only Ohio competition that honors journalists who fulfill the SPJ mission: defense of the First Amendment, support of literacy, resistance to censorship, advocacy for openness of public records and meetings, media self-criticism and community service. This program also recognizes the best college daily and weekly newspapers.

Please take note of new changes in 2016: We have updated our Online category (now called Digital Media) and added new categories. In addition, we have added numerous Freelance categories to reflect the growing number of freelance journalists. Click here for Freelance categories. 
DEADLINE:  No entries will be accepted after 5 p.m. March 28.
ELIGIBILITY: Journalists are eligible who work for newspaper, magazines, radio, television, trade, online and college media in Ohio and adjacent states that have significant reach into Ohio. Freelance journalists, who are Ohio residents are eligible, regardless of where their work is published, broadcast or webcast. Entrants need not be members of the Society of Professional Journalists. The work must have been published or broadcast in 2015.
FEES: A $30 entry fee must accompany each submission, except College entries. College students pay a $10 entry fee for writing of news, feature, sports and opinion. College newspapers may enter for free. There is a $5 discount per entry for work by SPJ members. You may submit any given article in as many relevant categories as you wish. Submissions from trade publications, newsletters and other print alternatives are welcome. This contest is for journalists in the state of Ohio and immediately adjoining states whose publications / stations / work have significant reach into Ohio.
SPREAD THE WORD: Please forward this message to anyone you think would like to participate in Ohio's Best Journalism contest!
QUESTIONS?  For additional information, please contact:
Sarah Mills Bacha
614.563.1066
contact@ohiospjawards.org 
Job opportunities
EDITOR
Van Wert Times Bulletin
Van Wert, OH  
We are seeking an editor for our Van Wert Times Bulletin. The Time Bulletin is a five day a week publication.  Duties include the planning,  getting the news to the community in a timely manner, manage and supervise our staff of three full-time employees, and  setting policy to get the news to the community in print and our digital products.  Our editor would be required to write, edit, select, and revise material for publication.  Our editor would be required to attend community meetings and would be the editorial face of the community. Our editor should have a strong layout background.   Contact David Thornberry 419-238-2285 ext. 202 or send resume to dthornberry@timesbulletin.com 
GROUP EDITOR
Times Bulletin Media
Northwest, Ohio 
Responsible for coordinating our group news team located in northwest Ohio. Our group newspapers include: Van Wert Times Bulletin, Delphos Herald, Putnam County Sentinel, Putnam County Vidette, Ada Herald and Paulding Progress. The Van Wert Times Bulletin is a five day publication and the others are weekly newspapers. We maintain websites at each location and have shopper publications at each location. Contact David Thornberry at 419-238-2285 or send resume to dthornberry@timesbulletin.com
 

MULTIMEDIA JOURNALIST
Logan Daily News
Logan, OH  
Position is responsible for generating editorial content for both print and online publications and will report to the Editor. Successful candidate must be a flexible self-starter and attentive to details, as well as be able to multi-task and meet deadlines. Candidates for this position should have strong written and oral communication skills, be familiar with Associated Press Style; be able to generate copy, photos and video for our print and online publications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
  • Assists in posting online content to include text, photos and videos; writes editorials
  • Works with all other departments, helps to achieve daily goals
  • Must be able to edit and format copy and be able to anticipate workloads based on productions schedules
  • Perform job duties and conduct self in accordance with company core values
  • Initiate and nurture effective, professional relationships with internal and external contacts
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
  • Prior reporting/editing experience required
  • Demonstrate ability to multi-task
TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook is required along with social media such as Facebook and Twitter
EDUCATION:
  • Bachelor's degree in journalism or related field preferred
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Submit a cover letter and resume with references to dtobin@logandaily.com
Internships 
Apply for an internship at the Knight Foundation

Internships at Knight Foundation allow promising college students and recent graduates an opportunity to gain 10 weeks of experience at one of the largest nonprofit foundations in the United States. We offer competitive paid internships in many areas that allow interns to help us provide communities with the tools to shape their futures. 

Curious? Read about the experiences of past interns 
Carolina 
Wilson, 
Chris Caines and Lucas Hernandez. 

Applications are now open for summer 2016. To begin an application, please send a cover letter and resume to: 
internship@knightfoundation.org 
Fellowships
Ted Scripps Fellowships in Environmental Journalism

This flexible, non-degree program allows fellows to tailor these resources to meet their needs and interests. The two-semester programs begins in mid-August and continues through mid-May. During the period, fellows deepen their knowledge of the environment through courses, weekly seminars, and field trips. The also engage in independent study expected to lead to a significant piece of journalistic work.   

Click here to apply

Rosalynn Carter Fellowship in Mental Health Journalism 

In order to access the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism application, you must establish a user account. You will be propmted to create a user name and password, and provide a valid e-mail address. Your user account will give the option to save and continue your application at a later date, as well as check the status of your applicant file after your application has been submitted. Please be aware that once you submit your application, you will be unable to do any additional editing.  

To apply click here
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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, multimedia journalist.

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