KYRA KIRKWOOD
E-mail: kyrakirkwood@gmail.com
OVERVIEW
A freelance journalist/journalism professor/author specializing in parenting, animals, entertainment, lifestyle and holistic reporting.
EDUCATION
University of Southern California, Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Freelance Journalist/Writer 1-01 to present
Duties include writing celebrity profiles, dog articles, features, cooking articles, parenting articles, DVD reviews and columns. Publications: Dogster Magazine, Dog Fancy Magazine, Orange Coast Magazine, Los Angeles Daily News, Pasadena Star-News, Dog’s Life Magazine, Video Store Magazine, Preferred Destinations Magazine, Veterinary Practice News, WHERE Orange County Magazine, MyHero.com, the Popular Dog series.
- Accomplishments:
- Lead feature writer for Dog’s Life Magazine;
- Seven-time Genesis Award honoree for excellence in journalism;
- “Doggie Diva,” “Dinner and a DVD” and “Creature Connection” columnist for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group;
- Contributing editor and regular columnist for Dog Fancy, a national publication;
- Columnist for Dogster Magazine, a national publication.
Author 2009 to present
Wrote the non-fiction “Move Over, Rover!” book about naming a new dog. Published by a division of Random House.
College Journalism Instructor 8-08 to present
Teach journalism at the community college level. Courses include news reporting, media analysis, magazine writing, feature writing.
- Accomplishments:
- Advisor for the award-winning student magazine
Associate Editor-Video Store Magazine 10-99 to 6-01
Wrote and edited weekly features, trend stories and business articles, designed and wrote a weekly theatrical page, covered issues in the video and home entertainment industries, wrote movie and DVD reviews. Special sections editor and copy editor.
News Editor/Page Designer -The Orange Independent newspaper 11-97 to 10-99
Designed a four-color newspaper. Wrote columns, news and feature pieces. Copy edited. Supervised a staff of freelance writers/photographers.
- Accomplishments:
- Three-time CNPA contest award winner for design and layout (first place two times).