Background

Words have always been important to me. As a child, I had to learn to use my voice and my words against a social services system that overlooked my real needs, and moved me from foster home to foster home. As a young adult, I used my words to announce who I was to the world and what I stood for. As a journalist and editor, I used my words to hopefully make a difference with the issues that were close to my heart.

 

I didn’t start out to work in publishing…it just happened that way. After a two-year assignment in High School as a Congressional Page in Washington, D.C., I realized how important it was to speak out on political and social issues. That led to a major in History/Political Science with aspirations to be a school teacher, but destiny had another plan.

 

In my junior year I found myself thrust into the role of college newspaper editor. What began as a way to contribute to my school grew into something I could have never forseen. I was bitten by the journalism bug when I found myself in the midst of a moral conflict because of a story I had written about financial missmanagement by the college administration. After failed attempts to censor me, and eventually to discredit me, my story was upheld as factual and resulted in a new college president and staff. I learned the power of the written word and the importance of letting the truth be known…no matter what the cost.

 

 

Cyndi Lauper

 

 As a young gay man in the 1980s and 90s, I was compelled to tell human stories about those suffering from HIV/AIDS, when ignorance on the subject was the norm of the day. While my superiors tried to get me to write fluff pieces and interview celebrities, I pushed for stories on gay rights and workplace issues. Looking back, I can only hope that in some small measure, I made a difference for someone.

 

I was privileged that my work exposed me to celebrities, politicians and newsmakers, while taking me all over this country and the world. I am honored my career allowed me to experience different cultures and lifestyles.  

 

After a successful and rewarding career, and one previous attempt to leave the business behind, I finally stepped away from publishing in 2004 and took a bold step in a new direction. No, it wasn’t a desperate sign of a mid-life crisis, but an attempt to get off the rollercoaster and find my true heart’s desire.

 

While I now work full-time in an unrelated field, I still have a voice and something to say, and so I continue to write for myself (via this site) and will occasionally accept freelance assignments.

 

I hope you enjoy what you see and feel free to comment.

 

Respectfully,

Stephen Moore