Journalism

I've published 100s of pieces of journalism over the years, from hard news to features to profiles to reviews. Some of the ones I remember most fondly are:

• A piece on James Baldwin for The Progressive magazine
• A piece on Andres Dubus for The New Leader, one of the earlier appreciations of this short story master
• "Travels with Ruby" for Northwest Magazine, about a summer traveling across the country and back
• Also for NW, a long piece on the seminary at Mt. Angel, after spending a week on the hill
• A long in depth interview with Tom McCall for Oregon Business Magazine, one of the last before he died
• Another piece for the business magazine on Oregon fishermen selling bottom fish to Russian motherships
• A profile of the all-girl singing group Betty Romaine for Willamette Week
• Guest editing an issue of NW Magazine devoted to the film "Easy Rider"
• An interview with Ramblin' Jack Elliott for WW, after spending several days with him and setting up a concert at the Earth Tavern (ah, remember that one!?)
• and the list could go on and on.

There was a lot of grunt work, busy work, somewhat boring work in journalism but I also had some rare and great opportunities to meet great people and address important issues. But especially when I was freelancing, I found it to be the hardest work I can imagine. Working for magazines as staff was a breeze in comparison.