Articles

About a bear: The story behind the story of "The Loneliest Polar Bear"

About a bear: The story behind the story of “The Loneliest Polar Bear”

“The Loneliest Polar Bear” wasn’t just a heart-tugging news story. It was a suspenseful, multi-thousand word saga about an abandoned newborn polar bear. It was rationed into five chapters that…
Two sentences from books honored by 2019 Pulitzer Prizes and the lessons in journalism they inspired

Two sentences from books honored by 2019 Pulitzer Prizes and the lessons in journalism they inspired

Awards from elite, independent institutions always offer a reminder of the powerful work being done by storytellers of all stripes. None moreso in journalism than the Pulitzer Prizes.This year’s Pulitzer…
Insight from the other side of the notebook

Insight from the other side of the notebook

In the wake of unspeakable grief, parents from the 2012 Sandy Hook school shootings kept lists of journalists they would, and wouldn't, talk to
Avoiding false judgments in journalism about Trump's evangelical supporters

Avoiding false judgments in journalism about Trump’s evangelical supporters

Ever since Donald Trump launched his presidential campaign in the summer of 2015, I have grown accustomed to the constant drumbeat of stories that pose the same question: How can…
"74 seconds" that led to a man's death, a cop's trial and a 22-episode podcast

“74 seconds” that led to a man’s death, a cop’s trial and a 22-episode podcast

2019 Power of Narrative: How a Minnesota Public Radio team turned a real-time rolling news into a compelling serial drama
"Losing Earth:" Nathaniel Rich's epic on the failure to confront climate change

“Losing Earth:” Nathaniel Rich’s epic on the failure to confront climate change

Today marks the release of “Losing Earth: A Recent History,” Nathaniel Rich. The narrative tracks the story of a handful of scientists and politicians from 1979 to 1989 as they…
Hitting home runs with story pitches

Hitting home runs with story pitches

Agents and editors at the 2019 Power of Narrative conference lob feedback and advice in a live pitch session
Probing dark corners and dark souls

Probing dark corners and dark souls

The risks and rewards of covering society's monsters: Insights from the 2019 Power of Narrative conference
Ripping up the narrative arc and fumbling your way to structure

Ripping up the narrative arc and fumbling your way to structure

2019 Power of Narrative: Dave Cullen on how he wove time and perspectives to tell a fuller story of the Columbine High School shootings
High notes from the keynotes

High notes from the keynotes

Quick hits from featured speakers at the 2019 Power of Narrative Conference