Happy Funday Friday!

A big slice of the cake for me as an author involves research. I undertake this in several ways: googling the internet, reading books, or reaching out to experts for help. A couple of weeks ago, I sent a long list of questions to a book club friend of mine, who just so happens to work as an advertising manager at the Eagle-Tribune, and she invited me for a behind-the-scenes tour!

How could I refuse?

I love field trips. Don’t you?

Getting the chance to nose around and chat with each department head about their role in the publication process was mind-boggling. There is a ton of work that goes into printing a daily newspaper. Walking through the cavernous building, we even managed to catch the editor in chief who was just arriving. She kindly gave me a few moments of her time to ask questions. Listening to her was fascinating.

I learned there is still a tremendous sense of loyalty and pride for the local paper and its work. When there’s a breaking story, the well-known media companies will swoop in, but once the interest wanes, they leave to cover the next big scoop. The local paper will follow the story until its completion. Recently, the Eagle Tribune sent one of their reporters to Alabama to cover a cold case story from over thirty years ago. The fact they could bring this sad story home and finally give it the closure that still held a space in people’s hearts, highlighted why we need to continue to support our local rag. https://www.eagletribune.com/news/alabama-man-arrested-for-salem-girls-1988-murder-in-lawrence/article_67b91e76-c640-11ec-a022-7fde78a705ed.html

I also learned, that just like readers continue to love holding a physical book, people, albeit mostly the older generation, love to read a real newspaper.

In writing, my addition to the Dicken’s Holiday romance, A Tale of Two Wishes, my main character Madeline St Vincent is the editor-in-chief at the Dicken’s Chronicle. She’s determined to keep this vital business from closing, her love interest and son of the owner, Dante Alessandro, wants to shut the paper down and turn the building into an Italian market and restaurant. Find out what happens in Dec 2022. Have a great weekend everyone, Jen. x