Editor/Publisher at The Blog Peoria Network
Peoria, Illinois Area
- Current
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- Columnist/Webmaster at The Community Word
- Editor/Publisher at BlogPeoria.com
- Past
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- On-Air Personality at WXCL 104.9 FM/AAA Entertainment
- Editor at TimesNewspapers
- Education
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- Eastern Illinois University
- Illinois Central College
- Woodruff High School
- Recommended
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7 people have recommended Billy - Connections
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103
connections
- Industry
- Online Media
- Websites
Billy Dennis’s Summary
I went off to college with every expectation to become the next Bob Woodward or Carl Bernstein, or the editor of a high-quality weekly newspaper. Romantic notions, both. After banging around the industry for 20 years, I found myself a newspaperman without a newspaper. I was both disgruntled and defrocked. I did, however, have a very popular local blog that I had started on a lark, but had quickly discovered affording me more freedom of the press than I ever enjoyed as a reporter/editor was working for someone else.
But blogging didn't pay well. So I'm been doing a lot of freelancing and working in jobs outside both mainstream media and citizen journalism.
There is nothing more that I would like to do it do make my group citizen journalism venture, The Blog Peoria Network (http://blogpeoria.com) profitable through advertising. I'm also exploring the idea of creating a not-for-profit version of the Website, and go after contributions and grants. If any reader has any ideas on this subject (or would like to buy an ad or help with a donation), then let me know.
peoriapundit@gmail.com
Billy Dennis’s Specialties:
citizen journalism, blog creation and consulting, online media criticism, WordPress
Billy Dennis’s Experience
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Columnist/Webmaster
The Community Word
(Newspapers industry)
November 2002 — Present (6 years 9 months)
I write the popular "City Beat" column for the newspaper, and manage the Website, which is created and designed around the WordPress Multi User platform.
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Editor/Publisher
BlogPeoria.com
(Online Media industry)
January 2001 — Present (8 years 7 months)
The Blog Peoria Network is a group of citizen journalists located in and around Peoria, IL. It is the home of Peoria Pundit, the most-read blog in the Peoria area.
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On-Air Personality
WXCL 104.9 FM/AAA Entertainment
(Broadcast Media industry)
May 2005 — December 2005 (8 months)
Co-host of weekly call-in show with B.J. Stone. I also announced songs and discussed current events solo in the studio. I also moderated radio group‘s weekly public affair program.
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Editor
TimesNewspapers
(Newspapers industry)
October 2001 — October 2002 (1 year 1 month)
I directed the editorial content for the weekly Peoria Times-Observer newspaper serving the affluent North Peoria area of Peoria. I wrote editorials, assigned articles to staff and managed a cadre of freelance writers.
Billy Dennis’s Education
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Eastern Illinois University
B.A. , Journalism, minor in political science , 1985 — 1987
- Activities and Societies:
- I held various staff editor positions and was editor in chief of the Daily Eastern News during the summer of 1986.
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Illinois Central College
AA , General education , 1981 — 1985
I attended part time over a four-year period while I worked both full and part time. I studies photography, secondary education and journalism.
- Activities and Societies:
- Editor and staff writer for the Harbinger student newspaper
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Woodruff High School
h.s. diploma , college prep , 1976 — 1981
I attended Kingman and Glen Oak Grade School.
- Activities and Societies:
- Yearbook, wrestling, stage crew, Key Club, German Club, AFS
Additional Information
Billy Dennis’s Websites:
Billy Dennis’s Interests:
Photography, coin collecting, cheesy crime fiction, citizen journalism and blogging, local politics.
Billy Dennis’s Groups:
The Peoria Area Bloggers Association
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Blog -
Linking Bloggers -
Online Media -
WordPress Community -
I Blog! - People with this icon have a blog - and they link to it from their profile
Billy Dennis’s Honors:
* Thompson Newspapers monthly Outstanding Achievement Award---1994
* Illinois Central College Journalism Association: First Place, Photo Spread; Second Place, Individual Photograph---1990
* SCJ Student Newspaper Competition: Second Place, Front Page Layout---1987
* Benjamin Weir Memorial Scholarship, Eastern Illinois University---1986
Billy Dennis’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
