Debbie Harmsen

Dallas, TX USA
http://
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 YearsWriter 25 Years

Specialty

Business (general) 8 YearsTravel 16 Years

Industries

Academia Teaching 3 YearsBook Publishing Consumer 10 YearsMagazine - 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)

Awards

Lowell-Thomas

Associations

Northwestern Alumni Club of DFW Medill Alumni Club of Greater New York MediaBistro Avant Guild Member

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

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.

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 Places

The Reel Chicago
(Home & Away 5/1/2000)
Chicago plays a starring role in film industry.
My Kind of Town
(Home & Away 5/1/2001)
Myriad of tours take in the Windy City.
Riches Galore in Rhode Island
(Car & Travel 2/1/2005)
Historic sites and country calm in Providence, East Bay and Newport.
Spires, Arches and Hoodoos
(Home & Away 3/1/2003)
Utah's scenic roads.
Another Day in Paradise
(Home & Away 3/1/2004)
History and wonder of Glacier Park.
The Other Side of Orlando
(AAA Traveler 3/1/2001)
More to see than the Big Three.
Festive Detroit
(Michigan Living 4/1/2000)
Quebec In Winter
(Home & Away Web site 11/1/2001)
The appeal, attractions and activity's of the province's Laurentian Mountains.
History Philadelphia
(AAA Journeys 5/1/2004)

Writing About People

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.
Bob Greene's Chicago
(Home & Away 5/1/2002)
Interview with former Chicago Tribune columnist.
Barnard Alumna in Action: Beryl Benacerraf '71
(Barnard Website 6/1/2005)
Accomplished doctor makes advances in ultrasound technology.

Writing about Concepts

Let the Games Begin
(Barnard Magazine/Website 5/1/2005)
Professor's course idea engages students, challenges traditional approaches to teaching.
Canada as Your Canvas
(Car & Travel 4/1/2005)
Ontario Arts in the Wild program ignites one's creativity.