Bio

Kate Richardson Long * 18 Arlington Court * Charleston, West Virginia 25301
(304) 343-1884 * kate_long@hotmail.com * katelong.com

Kate Long has worked as a media writing coach for 22 years in many parts of the United States and Canada. Her fiction, songwriting, video editing, radio production and newspaper stories have won national awards. She frequently produces programs for West Virginia Public Radio and Television and teaches writing workshops for teenagers, songwriters, and other groups.

Media clients have included: The California Healthcare Endowment; NewsTrain, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Marketplace (Public Radio International) The Rocky Mountain News (Denver), the NorfolkPilot-Ledger, The Hamilton Spectator (Canada), The Oklahoman, the Raleigh News and Observer, the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star; The Charleston Gazette (home paper).

Conference presentations include: The Associated Press Managing Editors, The Poynter Institute, National Writers Workshops (Santa Ana, Minneapolis, Hartford, Portland, Omaha, Atlanta), the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors, the Canadian Association of Journalists, the American Press Institute, the Freedom Forum, Canadian Newspaper Association

Selected projects:

West Virginia Public television production for Aging with Grace and Dignity (radio) and Healing in the Hills (television) (2005-6) http://www.wvpubcast.org/events/aging/default.asp
“Everybody at Risk,” 22-part Charleston Gazette series about high cost of health care in WV. Complete series available at www.wvgazette.com/section/Series/Everybody+at+Risk
In Their Own Country, a 14-part series featuring prominent West Virginia writers. For West Virginia Public Radio, sponsored by the WV Library Commission, Humanities Council and Division of Culture and History (2002). CD set of series and web site.
West Virginia Governor’s School for the Arts, creative writing teacher, 2004 – 2006. West Virginia Honors Academy, writing /audio editing teacher 2007.
Johnny’s Such a Bright Boy, What a Shame He’s Retarded (Houghton-Mifflin 1977)
Parents to Parents, a video series for WV Advocates (1983)
CDs of original songs: bigollady (1999); Life of my Own (1993); Pieces of Heart (1990). www.fiddletunes.com/pages/katel.htm
Safe at Home, 1998, a video for the WV coalition vs. Domestic Violence
Parents Becoming Teachers. 1980. A teaching manual for parents of disabled preschoolers. US Dept of Health and Human Services.

Awards and Grants:

2006 Public Citizen of the Year, awarded by the West Virginia National Association of Social Workers
2004 Gerald Loeb Award (UCLA) for Charleston Gazette series, “Everybody at Risk” http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x5190.xml and http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/x4965.xml
2007 WV Press Association, Best enterprise reporting, for a series on cutoffs in in-home care for the elderly.
2003 Gabriel Award (broadcast) for radio series: In Their Own Country. http://home.catholicweb.com/GabrielAwards/
2003 Scripps Howard Award finalist for In Their Own Country
2001 Hearst Visiting Professional, University of Texas School of Communications.
1999 National Headliner Award, Best of Show / Radio features for a feature on Robert Kennedy in West Virginia.
1995 Celebrate Women Award (Arts), West Virginia Womens Commission
1997 Merlefest Songwriting finalist
1994 International Bluegrass Music Association Song of the Year
1994 West Virginia Department of Culture and History literary grant
1992 Kentucky Foundation for Women literary grant
1984 National Council of Family Relations Video Award of Merit for “Parents to Parents”
1983 West Virginia Citizen Action Group Willis Farley Award for work in the public interest
1977 Delta Kappa Gamma International Educators Award for the book most likely to influence directions in education for Johnny’s Such a Bright Boy / What a Shame He’s Retarded.

Music and storytelling venues include: Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, National Storytelling Festival (Exchange Stage), Northeast Folk Alliance showcase, Augusta Heritage Workshops, Swannanoa Gathering, Baltimore Folk Music Society, Seattle Folklore Society, Stonewall Jackson Jubilee, Portland (OR) Folklore Society, WV Rural Health Conference, Coalition for Religion in Appalachia, various local arts groups

Workshops available: (workshop can be designed to fit your needs). Storytelling Toolbox; Clear Writing Basics; Various journalism workshops; Editing with Clarity and Heart; Songwriting; Music as a Healing Tool; Audio editing; Getting Your Message into the Media; Appalachian or West Virginia Writers; Creative writing in the schools; Storytelling in Sermons.

Workshopsfor teenagers: Creative writing teacher, WV Governor’s School for the Arts (2004-2006): a three-week workshop; WV Governor’s Honors Academy (2007); National Youth Science Camp; Woodlands Scholars Academy, various county public schools systems. Can design workshop to suit your needs.

Work History:

Media writing coach: The Charleston Gazette and other papers (1984-present)
Freelance broadcast producer, West Virginia Public Broadcasting (2000 – present)
Creative writing teacher, WV Governor’s School for the Arts (2004-2006)
Producer, In Their Own Country, 14-part WV Public Radio series (2000 – 02)
Radio commentator: WV Public Radio (1982-98)
Coordinator, Flood Recovery Project, Appalachian Mental Health Center, Elkins, WV (1985-86)
Editor/Producer, Parents to Parents (1984-85)
Counselor, Patchwork (shelter for runaway teenagers), Charleston, WV (1981-84)
Statewide campaign coordinator, 1982 WV Supreme Court race
Board President and lobbyist (1980-84)
Southern Appalachian Leadership Training fellow (1979-80)
Home Teacher, Infant Stimulation Program, Valley Mental Health Center, Morgantown, WV (1977-79)
Writing/research, Johnny’s Such a Bright Boy/What a Shame He’s Retarded (1972-73)
Public school teacher and supervisor (1970-73)

Education:

BA, English, West Virginia University 1968
MA, Special Education. The George Washington University 1971

Birthdate: March 30, 1946, Oak Hill, West Virginia