Author

Laurie Hertzel

@StribBooks

Laurie Hertzel is senior editor for books and special projects at the Star Tribune, and the author of “News to Me: Adventures of an Accidental Journalist.”

Daring to bring humor and wonder to serious subjects

Daring to bring humor and wonder to serious subjects

Tom Whipple of the Times of London celebrates the return of beavers to urban England with a "jam sandwich" structure and an inviting voice
September 25, 2024
All those books? The painful joy of letting go

All those books? The painful joy of letting go

"Books are the diary of my life; when I scan a shelf, I see pieces of my past in the spines. ~ retired book editor Laurie Hertzel
June 19, 2024
A brutal murder, a welcoming pub and an elegiac essay of place

A brutal murder, a welcoming pub and an elegiac essay of place

An Irish Times writer refused the easy draw of a lurid murder, and instead delivered a deadline ode to community
May 15, 2024
Analytics aren't the only measure

Analytics aren’t the only measure

A retired journalist revisits letters sent by readers early in her career, and is reminded that stories touch people in ways we never know
February 8, 2024
Shop class: Stuck before you start? Eat a cookie, take a walk, set it out for the elves

Shop class: Stuck before you start? Eat a cookie, take a walk, set it out for the elves

I’m not usually struck with writer’s block. I’ve been a journalist for 40 years; when you work for a daily newspaper you are not allowed that luxury. You report, you…
August 28, 2019
“Why’s this so good?” No. 32: Darcy Frey on the brink

“Why’s this so good?” No. 32: Darcy Frey on the brink

It’s been 16 years since I first read Darcy Frey’s piece about the overwhelming, stressful job of being an air traffic controller – 16 years since I first swore never to…
February 28, 2012
National Book Award winner T.J. Stiles on telling good stories and asking big questions

National Book Award winner T.J. Stiles on telling good stories and asking big questions

T.J. Stiles, author of Jesse James: Last Rebel of the Civil War, won a National Book Award in November for his second biography, The First Tycoon: The Epic Life of…
January 25, 2010

Six Writing Tips for Crafting Scenes

As you map out the story, there are a lot of things for you to consider
March 24, 2005