I spent thirty-eight years as a journalist, including fifteen as editor and vice president of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, before retiring to pursue the passion which led me to journalism-writing. While working on my novels, I taught journalism as an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University, conducted editing workshops for the Florida Center for the Book and the National Writers Workshop and am immediate past president of The Writers’ Network of South Florida. I’m also a volunteer narrator recording books and periodicals for Insight for the Blind.

Before becoming the chief editorial executive of the Sun-Sentinel, I worked as a reporter and editor at several Illinois newspapers. During my tenure in South Florida, the Sun-Sentinel doubled its circulation to more than 300,000 daily and 400,000 Sunday.

In 1982, I had the good fortune to be honored as an outstanding journalism alumnus of Southern Illinois University and to serve on the alumni advisory committee of the College of Mass Communications and Media Arts. I have been a Pulitzer juror, president of the Illinois AP Editors Association, the opening speaker at the 1994 World Editors Conference in Vienna and won awards as a journalist, a manager and a short story writer.

My principal avocation over the years has been as an active horse exhibitor and breeder and, thanks to outstanding trainers and good horses, was able to win a dozen National and World titles in non-pro western pleasure before retiring from the show ring. I served two years as national president of the Appaloosa Pleasure Horse Association and ten years on the board of directors.

Contact Gene Cryer
gcryer9@aol.com