"LIFE ON THE DEATH BEAT:
A HANDBOOK
FOR OBITUARY WRITERS"
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Alana Baranick
Obituary writer for The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio
Winner of the 2005 American Society of Newspaper Editors award for obituary writing
Chief author of "Life on the Death Beat: A Handbook for Obituary Writers"
Instructor of online obituary writing course for Poynter Institute's
NewsU, an Internet school for journalists.
American Society
of Newspaper Editors awards announcement for 2005
Alana Baranick, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, won this year's
special category, obituary writing, for "A Life Story," a series
of longer obits that feature a church housekeeper, a rabbit farmer, and
a NASA scientist who also taught African dance. "With vivid detail
and direct language, Baranick creates richly textured portraits of everyday
folks who become extraordinary through her words," the judges said.
"From the lady who raised bunnies to the man who sold orthopedic
shoes, Baranick's characters are warm and funny, far from perfect, and
altogether human. Avoiding clichés and oversimplification, Baranick
engages the reader by finding a narrative thread that captures the essence
of her subjects."
Alana's ASNE Award
Excerpt
from The Plain Dealer, Cleveland Feb. 20, 2005
"PD obituary reporter honored for writing excellence"
Plain Dealer reporter Alana Baranick has won the 2005 Distinguished
Writing Award for obituary writing from the American Society of Newspaper
Editors.
Baranick won for five installments of Life Story, a weekly
feature she created two years ago.
The feature chronicles the lives of people whose contributions
to Greater Cleveland are important but less celebrated than people covered
in standard obituaries.
Baranick finds the rich threads of her stories by sitting
in living rooms and around kitchen tables with husbands, fathers, sisters
and wives, sorting through memories and photo albums.
Her interviews sometimes last hours.
“Alana brings commitment, sensitivity and passion
to obituary writing, a vital but underappreciated part of the craft,”
said Plain Dealer Editor Doug Clifton.
“I’m thrilled that her work has been recognized.”
Distinguished Writing Awards are given in eight categories
for excellence in writing and photography in daily newspapers and news
services.
Obituary writing is a one-time category, special to the
2005 contest.
Other finalists were obituary writers from the New York
Times and the Washington Post.
Published
profiles:
Cleveland's Scene Magazine, Aug. 3, 2005
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Oct. 13, 2005
Parkersburg (W.Va.) News and Sentinel, Oct. 18, 2005
Elyria (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram, Oct. 23, 2005
Broadcast interviews:
CNN Saturday, Jan.21, 2006
The Kojo Nnamdi Show on WAMU 88.5-FM in Washington, D.C., Jan. 18, 2006
KDKA Radio in Pittsburgh, Pa., Morning Show, Oct. 14, 2005
