Multi-talented communicator Sherry Robinson continues making a difference

When thinking about an all-round journalism professional, Sherry Robinson’s name comes to mind. She is a columnist for rural New Mexico newspapers, she has been a newspaper reporter, public relations professional, is working on her fourth book and is a freelance writer. She has been an active member of NFPW and her New Mexico affiliate for 38 years.  She is an asset to both organizations. Meet this unique and unbelievable member.

Name: Sherry Robinson

Sherry Robinson at the Historical Society of New Mexico when she won the Dominguez Award for her book.

City and State: Albuquerque, NM

Affiliate and any leadership positions: New Mexico. Former president, former newsletter editor, former contest chair, former conference co-chair (three times)

Years a member of NFPW: 38

Tell us a little about you.

My friends are all retired, but I don’t want to retire and am busier than ever. (I wouldn’t mind being less busy.) Oddly enough, I’ve been doing the most challenging investigative work of my career and find that I use all those years of experience. And at this age (67) not much scares me. My second hat is columnist in my own small syndicate, which survived the recession. Three friends and I provide opinion columns to rural New Mexico papers. My third hat is historian and speaker. I speak around the state on Apaches and have written two books about them, plus another on western New Mexico. I’m working on the fourth book. My books are always adventures as well as journeys, and I treasure the friends I’ve made along the way.

I’ve mostly been a newspaper reporter and editor but have also done corporate and university PR and have freelanced for the last 12 years.

Sherry Robinson and photographer Alex King deep in the Chevron uranium mine, in the mid 1980’s, while working as a reporter for the Albuquerque Journal.

Any career advice you would give?

Don’t let your age sideline you. My new hero is Cher, who recently told AARP, “I don’t intend to step aside… It’s like saying to the Rolling Stones, ‘OK you’ve had your time in the sun. Now go put on some plaid shorts and play golf.'”

Which talent would you most like to have?

I’ve never wanted any talent other than the one I have, which is to write. It might be nice to also be an illustrator.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

In the mountains of southwestern New Mexico.

What book are you reading?

I always seem to have multiple books going, usually nonfiction history. I just finished “From Cochise to Geronimo” by my friend Ed Sweeney. I’m in the middle of “Blood and Thunder” by Hampton Sides. Waiting on the runway are “Spider Woman’s Daughter” by my friend Anne Hillerman and “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve been a ski bum in Aspen and a back-to-the-land hippie in western Colorado. I still can tomatoes and make jam every year.

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

Friendships, friendships, friendships. Networking is over-rated. Only a friend will babysit your kid when you have to go out of town, buy you a beer when you’ve just been canned or give you an attagirl when you really need it.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.  

Well, uh… This year’s to-do list includes a website. I’m on twitter and don’t use it now but will during the legislative session. I’m an irregular Facebook user.

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New Mexico leader Cheryl Fallstead shows dedication to NFPW, enthusiasm for profession

Cheryl Fallstead is a leader in both the New Mexico affiliate and NFPW. She is a real go-getter who sets a plan and uses hard work and determination to meet her goals. She is dependable, enthusiastic and shares her passion of “loving what you do” with all she meets. She is a past New Mexico Communicator of Achievement. She is a unique and unbelievable NFPW member. Meet my friend Cheryl Fallstead.

Name: Cheryl Fallstead

Cheryl Fallstead and her two little dogs.

City and State: Las Cruces, New Mexico

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

President of Las Cruces Press Women, President of New Mexico Press Women, and membership co-director for NFPW.

Years a member of NFPW:

Good question! My first conference was 2009 in San Antonio. I believe I became a member of NFPW that year.

Tell us a little about you.

While I always knew I wanted to be a writer, I wasn’t sure how it would all work out. I was also interested in teaching. I got my bachelors in journalism back in 1985 and hoped to become a full-time freelance writer. Within the next decade, I was teaching full-time and became a principal instead. I imagined freelancing during the summer breaks, but that never happened.

Eight years ago, my husband and I moved from California to New Mexico. At the time, I said that I wanted to get back to freelance writing, teach part-time for the community college, and do some volunteer work. It turns out that is exactly what I am doing! I edit a monthly for seniors, write for a variety of magazines, and do some PR work for local music groups. I also co-hosted a weekly radio show with fellow NFPW member Bud Russo, and then for two years we wrote, voiced and produced a daily two-minute segment for public radio stations called “New Mexico Mile Markers.” I teach graphic design, Photoshop, photography and computer illustrator for the community college and volunteer with press women at the local, state and national levels. All according to plan.

For fun, artistic release, and personal growth, I am learning to paint in both watercolor and acrylics. I also enjoy hiking and being outdoors with my husband and two LWDs (little white dogs) and exploring New Mexico.

Cheryl Fallstead, right, with her father Roger McCandless and Heidi Swedberg, center. Swedberg played the unlucky Susan (George’s fiancé) on “Seinfeld” and is now a ukulele performer and instructor.

Any career advice you would give?

Find something you love doing and become very good at it. I spent too much time doing jobs I didn’t enjoy because they paid well. Now I say, “Do what you love. Love what you do.”

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could sing very well! I have great admiration for those people with beautiful voices.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I do love New Mexico, but part of me thinks I would love living someplace like Hawaii. I miss the ocean.

What book are you reading?

We’ve been moving, so I haven’t had a lot of time to read, but I recently started a book written by the mother of a fellow NMPW/NFPW member, Leora Zeitlin. Her mother is Marianne Langner Zeitlin and the book is “Motherless Child.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you? 

Despite always believing I had no musical talent, I started learning to play the ukulele with my dad and a friend. We co-founded the Las Cruces Ukes, a community group of ukulele enthusiasts and recently performed at the lovely Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces and received a standing ovation. That was fun! I also performed on stage at a ukulele conference with all the headliner talent (not because I’m so good, but because I won a drawing).

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

As a freelancer, I don’t often have the opportunity to spend time with other writers – except through press women. Membership and active participation in the organization have introduced me to fellow professional communicators around the country. My fellow members have been supportive and instructional. For example, two members helped Bud and I when we needed to learn how to produce the sound for our radio shows. We couldn’t have done it without their help!

Way to follow you:

My work Facebook is Desert Moon Communications (a page that needs more of my attention). I’m on Twitter at @CherylFallstead (which also needs more of my time).

Hillerman grew up sharing stories, first novel makes NYT best seller list

As the eldest of author Tony Hillerman’s six children, Anne Hillerman grew up in a household full of characters, adventures, and, most importantly, shared stories. Her mother, Marie, taught her to read at age 3 and Anne has been a reader ever since. She started writing in an imitation leather-bound journal to keep track of her adventures in first grade. Her most recent book, a novel, debuted at number 10 on the New York Times Best Seller list and has won other awards as well. This unique and amazing woman is an exceptional writer, leader and devoted member of her affiliate and NFPW.

Name: Anne Hillerman

Anne Hillerman, sitting, with Cheryl Fallstead, right.

City and State: Santa Fe, NM

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

New Mexico. Currently secretary of the state organization and on the leadership team of the Northern New Mexico chapter. State offices include past president, NM Communicator of Achievement, contest director and other positions.

Years a member of NFPW: More than 20.

Tell us a little about you.

I got my first real job as a journalist right after college, and have loved nearly every minute of my more than 20 years in the profession.

I left my post as editorial page editor for the Albuquerque Journal’s northern edition to start my own business, Wordharvest Writer’s Workshops, but I still write restaurant reviews for them as a freelancer. (It is the world’s juiciest assignment!) Through Wordharvest, my business partner and I organize the annual Tony Hillerman Writers Conference each November in Santa Fe. The three day event features published authors who enjoy teaching and brings in attendees from throughout the US and Canada. In conjunction with St. Martin’s Press, we offer a $10,000 prize for the best first mystery novel set in the Southwest and announce the winner at the conference.

My time in journalism and tips I learned at the conference continue to help with my own writing. After nine non-fiction books, I published my first novel with HarperCollins in October, 2013. To my surprise and delight, the mystery–which features a Navajo woman police officer as the crime solver– debuted at number 10 on the New York Times Best Seller list and won the Western Writers of America Spur award for best first novel. I never thought I would be a novelist! Or starting a new career at an age when some of my friends are thinking about retiring.

Any career advice you would give?

Find what you love and give yourself over to it.

Which talent would you most like to have?

The ability to create extra time with nothing to do but read!

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I love, love, love Santa Fe and our beautiful state of New Mexico.

What book are you reading?

“Navajo LIfeways: Contemporary Issues, Ancient Knowledge”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I love the speed of downhill skiing. Especially on a powder day with the sun shining!

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you?

The organization helped me learn that I could be a leader and has provided a wonderful circle of friend and colleagues who inspire me.

Ways to follow you:

www.annehillerman.com

https://www.facebook.com/anne.hillerman

https://www.facebook.com/tonyhillermanauthor

 

Copyright expert Burr shares love for writing, teaching

Sherri Burr was one of the first to offer to teach a workshop at last year’s National Federation of Press Women conference in Salt Lake City. I was impressed with her enthusiasm for what she does. In addition, this amazing woman lectures around the world on copyright protection, in addition to being  a university professor teaching intellectual property law in New Mexico. Meet another unique, unbelievable NFPW member.

Name:  Sherri Burr

City and State: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Affiliate and any leadership positions:

Sherri Burr

New Mexico Press Women Vice-President and Chair of the Bylaws Committee

Years a member of NFPW:

Since 2007, when I first won a national contest award.

In a couple of paragraphs, tell us a little about you.

“I am the author of 20 books, including A Short and Happy Guide to Financial Well-Being. I love writing and I adore my writing friends. Attending critique group is one of the highlights of my week because I am privileged to see what the imaginations of my fellow writers have created.

I’m also a university professor who has been teaching for 26 years.

At the NFPW conference in Salt Lake City, she presented a workshop on copyright law and explained how attendees can protect their print and digital media works.

Any career advice you would give?

“Always meet your deadlines. I learned this the hard way when I missed one and my story didn’t run. Since then I will come in at 3:00 a.m. or stay up half the night to meet a deadline.”

Which talent would you most like to have?

I wish I could ice skate like some of the Olympians because it looks so beautiful and graceful.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

I’m living there now: Albuquerque, New Mexico. I’ve been fortunate to live in beautiful places like Honolulu, Phoenix, San Francisco and abroad, but I love New Mexico.

What book are you reading?

I just finished Blowback by Valerie Plame and Sarah Lovett. I loved that two people from such different backgrounds could craft a thriller together. I also just finished reading the nonfiction book Play. I liked his advice of making work fun.”

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

“I love go-kart racing. It’s fast and you have to focus.”

Why is your affiliate and NFPW important to you? “

I love the camaraderie of both NMPW and NFPW. Our New Mexico Press Women board meetings are fun and I always enjoy the National Conference.

Way to follow you on a website, twitter, Facebook, etc.:

www.sherriburr.com,

https://twitter.com/sherriburr