Journalist, editor and writer
Greater Chicago Area
- Current
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- Stringer at Chicago Sun-Times
- Contributing Writer at Daily Herald
- Writer/Editor at Zeldes Media Services
- Past
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- Managing Editor at Lerner Newspapers
- Food Editor at Lerner Newspapers
- Exhibits Manager / Restaurant Guide Writer at Chicon 2000
- Copy Editor at Lerner Newspapers
- Reporter / Features Writer / Shop Editor at Lerner Newspapers
- Writer at Karen May Communications
- Education
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- Eastern Michigan University
- University of Michigan
- Recommended
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14 people have recommended Leah A. - Connections
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196
connections
- Industry
- Writing and Editing
- Websites
Leah A. Zeldes’s Summary
I'm an experienced, versatile journalist, writer, editor and blogger with special credentials as a features writer, arts and entertainment writer and food writer. I'm looking for full-time and freelance opportunities.
Leah A. Zeldes’s Specialties:
Vibrant copy and keen-eyed editing with long experience in copy editing, news and feature writing and editing, food writing, entertainment writing, restaurant criticism, theater criticism, fiction and blogs.
Leah A. Zeldes’s Experience
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Stringer
Chicago Sun-Times
(Newspapers industry)
June 2005 — Present (4 years 6 months)
Write features and test recipes for the food section of award-winning daily newspaper.
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Contributing Writer
Daily Herald
(Privately Held; Newspapers industry)
June 2005 — Present (4 years 6 months)
Dining critic, food and features writer for suburban Chicago's largest daily newspaper.
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Writer/Editor
Zeldes Media Services
(Writing and Editing industry)
1980 — Present (29 years )
Writing and editing in a variety of fields, including journalism, online media, multimedia, blogs, technical documentation, public relations and fiction. Correspondent for the Chicago Sun-Times, the Daily Herald, Dining Chicago and other newspapers and magazines. Content, editing and consulting for Web sites, book publishers and business firms. Subject matter expert on the Chicago area, dining, theater, music, food and cookery and science fiction. Numerous short stories published.
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Managing Editor
Lerner Newspapers
(Newspapers industry)
1996 — 2005 (9 years )
Managed news, lifestyles/entertainment and food sections for the 15 newspapers of this now-defunct chain covering Chicago and eight suburbs, as well as serving on the Editorial Board. Supervised staff writers, editorial assistants and stringers. Assigned and edited stories; copy edited and paginated (using Quark Xpress). Wrote stories, columns, reviews and editorials. At various times, also managed a group of suburban newspapers and served as copy editor, shop editor, theater critic, restaurant critic, arts columnist, editorial writer and garden writer on top of these duties. Served as an integral part of the team that designed and created the chain's Web site and provided content and technical support. Started as a beat reporter covering hard news and features in several Chicago suburbs, plus environmental issues, before moving to features department to write features, food, entertainment, business and health stories.
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Food Editor
Lerner Newspapers
(Newspapers industry)
1992 — 2005 (13 years )
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Exhibits Manager / Restaurant Guide Writer
Chicon 2000
(Writing and Editing industry)
1999 — 2000 (1 year )
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Copy Editor
Lerner Newspapers
(Newspapers industry)
1993 — 1997 (4 years )
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Reporter / Features Writer / Shop Editor
Lerner Newspapers
(Newspapers industry)
1989 — 1991 (2 years )
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Writer
Karen May Communications
(Public Relations and Communications industry)
1986 — 1989 (3 years )
“Did it all” for small PR agency whose clients included national real estate, restaurant, medical, retail, automotive, insurance and auction firms. Wrote releases and articles, edited and ghostwrote client articles for business and trade publications and assisted advertising department.
Additional Information
Leah A. Zeldes’s Websites:
Leah A. Zeldes’s Honors:
Illinois Press Association; Hugo Award nominee.
Leah A. Zeldes’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
