Debbie Harmsen

Dallas, TX USA
Website: http://
Contact

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

Total Media Industry Experience

25 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

Showcase

Covering Events

Summer events in Chicagoland.
Wranglers reveal the world of celebrity reporting at Medill-NYU seminar.

Personal Columns

A tribute to family road-trips and the lessons learned along the way.
Adjusting to the Big Apple.

Writing About Places

Chicago plays a starring role in film industry.
Myriad of tours take in the Windy City.
Historic sites and country calm in Providence, East Bay and Newport.
Utah's scenic roads.
History and wonder of Glacier Park.
More to see than the Big Three.
The appeal, attractions and activity's of the province's Laurentian Mountains.

Writing About People

Much-loved financial aid director retires.
Interview with former Chicago Tribune columnist.
Accomplished doctor makes advances in ultrasound technology.

Writing about Concepts

Professor's course idea engages students, challenges traditional approaches to teaching.
Ontario Arts in the Wild program ignites one's creativity.