We all need a little brag time now and then so here is a smattering of my 2015 accomplishments. I feel giddy and grateful that I published way too many articles this year to list them all. I have selected just a few that I’m most proud of:
The Forward
Say No to the ‘C’
Interview with author Jennifer Margulis about the risks of Caesarean sections.
A Tour of Jewish China
Interview with Israeli entrepreneur Yael Farjun who runs a travel company in China.
A Journey of Recovery From Eating Disorders
Interview with comedian-actress Stacey Prussman who does outreach at campuses to help those suffering with eating disorders.
The Fix
Directing Sarah Silverman as an Addict
Interview with Adam Salky about the comedian-turned-dramatic-actress Sarah Silverman and his movie “I Smile Back” based on the novel by Amy Koppelman.
Rape, Trauma, PTSD and Bill Cosby
A personal essay about my own experience with rape and why women are terrified to tell.
Bob Zappa on Frank, Smokes and Addiction
An interview with Frank Zappa’s younger brother about Frank’s addiction to cigarettes, which led to designing the cover and copyediting his memoir “Frankie and Bobby: Growing Up Zappa.” and becoming dear friends with Bob and his wife Diane.
Meet the Remarkable Woman Who Is Saving Afghanistan’s Heroin Addicts
Since the fall of the Taliban, the production of opium has skyrocketed. Afghanistan produces 90 percent of the world’s supply and 11 percent of the population there are addicts. Laila Haidari, a former child bride, runs two addiction treatment centers and offers hope and healing to addicts in Kabul.
More 2015 Olds News
My New York Times Essay “Defriending My Rapist” became required reading for a course on Victimology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, CUNY
ASJA
I spoke on two panels at the 2015 American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) annual writing conference. The sessions included “Secrets of Interviewing Famous People” and “Use Social Media to Land Writing Gigs and Make Money.” And I have been asked back for 2016! So excited. My panel will be on Sat., May 21, 2016 2-3:30 pm at the Roosevelt Hotel. For more info visit the website: ASJA.org.
Book Expo
Spoke for Susannah Greenberg on a UPublishU panel a BEA about writers promoting themselves on social media.
Celebrity Interviews and Photo Ops
And, of course, I interviewed a ton of celebrities, attended press events, and screened a gazillion movies during 2015. Some of the standouts were Robert de Niro, Julianne Moore, Glenn Close, Lily Tomlin, Laverne Cox, Kristen Stewart, Ben Kingsley, Sam Waterston, Lorraine Bracco, Kim Basinger, Patricia Clarkson, Alex Gibney, Edward James Olmos, Nancy Spielberg, Alicia Vikander, Oscar Isaac, Peter Sarsgaard, Amy Koppelman, Tim Blake Nelson, Shia LaBeouf, Nat Wolff, Paul Sorvino, Debi Mazar.
Websites
Created a bunch of new websites. Here are my faves:
Holly Rizzuto Palker
Juliana Neiman
Cheryl Morrison’s Docuclear
DOGS, DOGS, DOGS!
And let’s not forget the fantastic doggie fundraising events I photographed this year!!
Enjoy!!
And write to me on Facebook and tell me about your high points this year.