Debbie Harmsen
Dallas, TX USA
25 Years Experience
Professional Experience
As a writer with a journalist background I enjoy writing articles and essays that are intriguing, informative, and inspiring. I've written in a variety of styles, from profiles of entrepreneurs to travel destination pieces to personal essays. As a developmental editor I offer feedback on full-length manuscripts and particularly excel at memoirs, business titles, and self-help books. As a publishing consultant, I help people reach their book goals and advise on the publishing environment and process.
Expertise
- Editor 25 Years
- Writer 25 Years
Specialty
- Business (general) 8 Years
- Travel 16 Years
Industries
- Academia Teaching 3 Years
- Book Publishing Consumer 10 Years
- Magazine - Local/Regional magazines 10 Years
Media Client List (# Assignments Last 2 Yrs)
- Fodor\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s Travel Guides(10+)
- AAA Magazines: Home & Away and Car & Travel(6-10)
- BenBella Books(6-10)
- Six Red Marbles(1-2)
Other work history
Editorial Director for the BenBella line at BenBella Books (early 2010 through fall 2016) Associate Editor, Random House, for Fodor's Travel Guides (2006-early 2010) Associate Editor, AAA's Car & Travel (2004-2005) Associate Editor, AAA's Home & Away and Michigan Living (1998-2003) Editor, Woodall Publications (1995-1996) Master's in Journalism at Northwestern University (1997) Taught Magazine Editing as an adjunct at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, and taught Creative Writing and News Reporting & Writing as an adjunct at Grace University; taught English Composition at Criswell College, spring 2016. Newspaper correspondent for Chicago Tribune and Daily Herald (1994-1995, 1997)
Foreign Language Skills
French
Computer skills
Microsoft Office Suite
Equipment
Mac laptop, PC laptop
Awards
Lowell-Thomas
Associations
Northwestern Alumni Club of DFW Medill Alumni Club of Greater New York MediaBistro Avant Guild Member
Writing About Places
Quebec In Winter
(Home & Away Web site 11/1/2001)
The appeal, attractions and activity's of the province's Laurentian Mountains.
My Kind of Town
(Home & Away 5/1/2001)
Myriad of tours take in the Windy City.
The Reel Chicago
(Home & Away 5/1/2000)
Chicago plays a starring role in film industry.
Festive Detroit
(Michigan Living 4/1/2000)
The Other Side of Orlando
(AAA Traveler 3/1/2001)
More to see than the Big Three.
Another Day in Paradise
(Home & Away 3/1/2004)
History and wonder of Glacier Park.
Spires, Arches and Hoodoos
(Home & Away 3/1/2003)
Utah's scenic roads.
Riches Galore in Rhode Island
(Car & Travel 2/1/2005)
Historic sites and country calm in Providence, East Bay and Newport.
History Philadelphia
(AAA Journeys 5/1/2004)
Personal Columns
M&Ms for the Road
(Car & Travel 6/1/2005)
A tribute to family road-trips and the lessons learned along the way.
Getting Sacked in New York
(Car & Travel 12/1/2004)
Adjusting to the Big Apple.
Writing about Concepts
Canada as Your Canvas
(Car & Travel 4/1/2005)
Ontario Arts in the Wild program ignites one's creativity.
Let the Games Begin
(Barnard Magazine/Website 5/1/2005)
Professor's course idea engages students, challenges traditional approaches to teaching.
Writing About People
Barnard Alumna in Action: Beryl Benacerraf '71
(Barnard Website 6/1/2005)
Accomplished doctor makes advances in ultrasound technology.
Bob Greene's Chicago
(Home & Away 5/1/2002)
Interview with former Chicago Tribune columnist.
SuzanneClair Guard: A Career Devoted to College Financial Aid Draws to a Close
(Barnard Magazine/Website 4/28/2004)
Much-loved financial aid director retires.
Covering Events
Festival Fun
(Michigan Living 7/1/2002)
Summer events in Chicagoland.
New York Alums Learn the Glamour and Grit of Being a Celebrity Journalist
(Website for Medill Alumni Club of Greater New York 11/21/2003)
Wranglers reveal the world of celebrity reporting at Medill-NYU seminar.