Lynn Waddell
Award-winning Journalist and Author
– Contributor to national newspapers and news magazines
– Author of acclaimed non-fiction book Fringe Florida
– Former staff writer at newspapers in Tampa, Las Vegas, and Birmingham, Ala.
– Holder of Master of Arts in Communications from University of South Florida
– National television news guest and public speaker
– Journalism adjunct professor and writing instructor
Reporting, Writing and Editing
Fringe Florida: Travel Among Mud Boggers, Furries, Ufologists, Nudists, and Other Lovers of Unconventional Lifestyles, author, University Press of Florida, 2013. ForeWord National Book of the Year Award finalist, travel essay.
The Wall Street Journal, freelance writer 2012 – present.
Wrote about George Zimmerman murder trial, the FBI shooting of Boston Marathon bomber contact and more. Also have contributed online video.
Huffington Post, contributor/blogger, 2014 to present.
The Daily Beast (thedailybeast.com), freelance writer, 2010 – 2013.
Covered the 2012 Republican National Convention, Quran-burning minister; and more.
Newsweek, freelance writer, 2001 – 2009.
Covered 9-11 terrorists in Florida, Virginia Tech mass shooting, Enron, and more.
The New York Times, freelance writer, 2004 – 2010.
Wrote about Gay Pride ban, Presidential election, Terri Schiavo case, and more.
Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, freelance writer, 2012.
Co-wrote “13th Grade,” a six-part award-winning investigative series on remedial college education that ran on NPR, and in the Miami Herald and other Florida newspapers.
Miles Media Group, editor, 2002 – 2003. freelance travel writer, 2003 – 2009.
The Christian Science Monitor, freelance writer, 2000 – 2003.
Covered Pres. George W. Bush in Florida; immigrant farm workers march; and more.
Weekly Planet (now Creative Loafing), Tampa, Fla. staff writer, 1998 – 2001.
Wrote award-winning cover stories. Work also appeared in Salon.com and other publications.
Las Vegas SUN, casino beat reporter, 1990 – 1995.
Covered all aspects of the casino industry in Nevada and beyond. Initiated Las Vegas’ first underage gambling survey for an award-winning series.
The Birmingham News, state/metro reporter, 1988 – 1990.
Exposed a corrupt developer through a series that lead to his conviction.
Other
University of Tampa, Journalism adjunct instructor, 2014.
University of South Florida, Journalism adjunct instructor, 1995, 1997.
Mixed News: The Public/Civic/Communitarian Journalism Debate, Contributor, 1996. Wrote articles and annotated bibliography for media ethics book edited by Dr. Jay Black, USF-St. Petersburg Media Ethics professor.
“Showgirls” motion picture, researcher and assistant, 1991 – 1994. Interviewed dancers and assisted screenwriter Joe Eszterhas and director Paul Verhoeven.
Awards
National Book of the Year Award finalist, travel essay Fringe Florida: Travels Among Mud Boggers, Furries, Ufologists, Nudists, and Other Lovers of Unconventional Lifestyles. Winner to be announced in July 2014.
Best of the Bay Award: Best Journey into Florida’s Underbelly, Fringe Florida: Travels Among Mud Boggers, Furries, Ufologists, Nudists, and Other Lovers of Unconventional Lifestyles, 2013.
Green Eyeshade Award, (national) 2013 Second place in Public Service Online Journalism, Florida Center for Investigative Reporting, “13th Grade” – A six-part series on Florida college remedial education.
Green Eyeshade Award, (national) 2013 Third place Investigative Reporting, Radio; WLRN-Miami Herald News,“13th Grade” – A six-part series on Florida college remedial education.
Sunshine State Press Awards Public Service in Online Journalism 2013 “13th Grade“ – A six-part series on Florida college remedial education.
Sunshine State Press Awards 2003 Best Magazine Writing “Court of No Return,” Florida Lawyer cover story on deportation hearings post 9-11.
Society of Professional Journalists 2000 Outstanding Achievement for Consumer Reporting “The New Media Monster,” cover story about media conglomeration.
Society of Professional Journalists 2000 Outstanding Achievement for News Feature “Reading, ‘Riting and Retail,” an in-depth look at commercialism in public schools.
Society of Professional Journalists 2000 News Feature Honorable Mention “ODing on Convenience,” cover story on the strange surge of drug stores.
Society of Professional Journalists 1999 Outstanding Achievement for News Feature “Where is the Cat Man?” an investigation into missing millionaire big cat owner.
Poynter Institute for Media Studies Fellowship 1995-1997. Career journalist award: University of South Florida journalism graduate program.
Betty Jean Miller St. Petersburg Times Scholarship Graduate student award 1997.
GTE Business Journalism Award 1996 Paper on media conglomeration.
Nevada State Press Association Better Newspaper Contest 1994 Outstanding Achievement Series on underage gambling in Las Vegas.
Education
University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Fla. Journalism Master’s degree. Poynter Fellow. Thesis/project: Kirk Kerkorian profile. Graduated April 1997.
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Ala. Journalism degree. Marketing and English minors, Graduated May 1988.
