Resume:
Music:
For more information about the services I can provide, please contact me by phone at 717-396-9293 or by email at tknapp1609@comcast.net. Thank you! |
Hello! My name is Tom Knapp, and I have been a professional writer for more than 35 years, and a professional musician for more than 20.
I have years of experience as an award-winning newspaper and freelance magazine writer, as well as an online content provider. Over time I have crafted a reputation for thorough reporting and storytelling and an ability to engage and involve my readers.
Whether you're looking for personality profiles, entertainment features, historical analyses or something in a more immediate, breaking-news situation, I can write what you need. Just a few of the areas I have focused on over the years include exposing animal welfare issues, telling veterans' stories, delving into history and chatting with celebrities. As a reporter, my areas of expertise range from entertainment and cultural arts to education, court, crime and politics. I also have plenty of experience helping people and organizations write the kinds of press releases and marketing campaigns that will get their efforts noticed.
I am comfortable working directly with my subjects as well as gathering information through online research and communication or telephone interviews. I'm a motivated storyteller who likes finding new and interesting ways to share information both online and in print, and I thoroughly enjoy interacting with a target audience to provide the content they need.
Writing has changed dramatically in recent years, and I have thrived in the modern age of digital journalism. I write stories people want to read, and I have learned to write eye-catching headlines to attract those all-important clicks. I enjoy devising new ways to inform and involve the readers we serve.
If you are a writer and need a hand, I have years of experience as a copy editor and proofreader, so I can help polish your prose with a careful eye for content, grammar, spelling, flow and accuracy. I also have experience designing story layouts online, paginating pages for print, photographing subjects for my stories and producing graphics to provide supplemental information. I am a seasoned public speaker, giving talks to school and community groups about journalism and leading seminars for writers at the newspaper.
(If you're here because you're interested in my music, please follow this link to learn more about Fire in the Glen, a lively Irish trio in which I perform.)
Here are a few general samples of my writing, followed by areas of specific interest: the Libre saga, military and veterans, animals and animal welfare, Little Ricki, crime and courtroom, offbeat and quirky, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Our York Media, Franklin & Marshall College Alumni Magazine and LebTown.
| #General: Diversity has always been one of my strengths as a writer. With topics ranging from police and government issues to arts and entertainment, I have always found a way to make articles interesting and informative. Here are several that demonstrate the broad spectrum of areas I have covered. |
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| #Libre: My thorough coverage of the furor surrounding a rescued puppy in Lancaster County led to sweeping changes in Pennsylvania laws regarding animal welfare, and earned me a "Hero of the Year" award from the Humane Society of the United States. Here is a sampling of the many articles I wrote as Libre's story unfolded. |
... Puppy, found near death in southern Lancaster County, is fighting to survive, July 6, 2016
... SPCA: Dog breeder surrenders another sick dog, will not face cruelty charges, July 8, 2016
... Libre improves as animal rescue groups clash over puppy's plight, SPCA's decision not to charge breeder, July 11, 2016
... One photo was enough to decide ailing puppy did not need immediate care, SPCA official says, July 12, 2016
... 'Someone failed this puppy terribly!': Veterinarian makes statement on Libre's abuse, July 13, 2016
... Rally planned Sunday outside Lancaster SPCA, protesters want shelter's director removed, July 14, 2016
... Protesters call for SPCA director's resignation as ailing puppy Libre learns he can walk, bark, July 18, 2016
... National animal welfare group won't press charges in Libre case, urges changes to state dog laws, July 19, 2016
... Rescuer decides to adopt Libre, the puppy found near death on a Lancaster County farm, July 21, 2016
... Senator begins drafting 'Libre's Law' to tighten Pennsylvania's animal cruelty laws, July 25, 2016
... Lancaster County district attorney's office, state police launch investigation into Libre animal cruelty case, July 27, 2016
... Susan Martin's authority as a humane society police officer is revoked, Aug. 17, 2016
... District attorney sets up email tipline for reporting animal cruelty cases in Lancaster County, Aug. 19, 2016
... Libre's mom gets new home, new name, after recovering from mange in foster care, Aug. 22, 2016
... Embattled Lancaster County SPCA director resigns, citing 'emotional challenge', Nov. 1, 2016
... Animal-welfare bills named for local puppy passes Senate, goes to governor to become law, June 20, 2017
... Apparent scammer uses Libre's image to raise funds for fictitious rescue group in North Carolina, July 31, 2017
... Libre's Law goes into effect today: Here's what new animal-cruelty statutes mean for Pennsylvania, Aug. 28, 2017
... Animal welfare legislation, including Libre's Law, strengthens Pennsylvania's standings on national lists, Jan. 24, 2018
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| #Military/Veterans: It has been my honor over the years to share the stories of some of our military veterans. Here are just a few. |
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... Two sons, two roads to service, both leading to the Middle East, May 23, 2003
... Video link gives soldier in Iraq some family time, June 4, 2009
... A veteran, and the son of a veteran, he's serving those who served, Aug. 12, 2011
... Marcus Luttrell, sole survivor of Afghan campaign, wows local audience, April 6, 2013
... Brothers in Arms: Lancaster siblings enter different military branches, end up serving on the same ship, May 1, 2015
... A soldier comes home: Remains of Korean War veteran, MIA since 1950, have been found and identified, Dec. 6, 2015
... Sisters in arms: Manheim Township grads both go to West Point, both end up serving at Fort Hood, Jan. 2, 2016
... 'Welcome home, brother' -- The remains of a soldier, missing in Korea since 1950, are finally home, Jan. 28, 2016
... Remains of local Korean War veteran, who fell in rearguard action in 1950, come home for burial, March 29, 2016
... Lancaster County Academy grad helps keep Blue Angels soaring, March 29, 2016
... Pearl Harbor attack inspired Lancaster County shoemaker to join Marines, storm beaches at Guadalcanal, Dec. 7, 2016
... Navy, Army and Air Force veteran reminisces on service in 3 wars for Armed Forces Day: 'I was young, it was adventure', May 20, 2017
... Quarryville pastor recalls the Battle of the Bulge, Operation Varsity at 17th Airborne reunion, May 21, 2017
... Retired from the Marine Corps after combat injury, recent Elizabethtown College grad pushes through pain with karate, Nov. 11, 2017
... WWII vet thought for months his brother -- trapped underwater when USS Oklahoma capsized at Pearl Harbor -- was dead, Dec. 7, 2017
... Remains of 3 servicemen buried with military honors, bringing closure to family of Air Force veteran, May 27, 2018
... Memorial Day isn't 'happy': Mother of Marine who died in Afghanistan remembers the true meaning of the holiday, May 28, 2018
... On Flag Day, we remember the role the American flag plays when veterans are laid to rest, June 14, 2018
... Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard marks 20 years of giving military personnel a somber, dignified send-off, Sept. 15, 2018
... Mae Krier, a 'Rosie the Riveter' from World War II, comes to Lancaster to discuss warplanes, women's role in the workforce, Sept. 21, 2018
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| #Animals and animal welfare: Libre isn't my only success story when it comes to animals. I've led the charge in Lancaster County and Pennsylvania on broader issues of animal welfare, which has also led to some fun, cute stories about animals to draw the readers in. Here's a selection of both the serious and the silly. |
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| #Ricki: At the end of 2014 I began coverage of an effort to free Little Ricki, a bear that had been living for years in a tiny cage as a roadside attraction. My work on the issue helped lead to Ricki's removal from her cramped home and her release into the "wild" in a bear sanctuary in Colorado. |
... Bear necessities: Lancaster residents join suit to give bear some elbow room, Dec. 31, 2014
... Ricky and Ricki: British actor lends star power to plight of penned bear, Jan. 6, 2015
... Bear on the loose? Not yet, but Little Ricki may soon be freed from her roadside cage, Jan. 22, 2015
... Bear gone wild: Little Ricki has been freed from her roadside cage, is on the road to Colorado sanctuary, Feb. 9, 2015
... Grin and bear it: Little Ricki is home in Colorado, Feb. 10, 2015
... Home sweet den: Little Ricki is settling in at her new digs on the Colorado plains, Feb. 16, 2015
... Hey, remember Little Ricki? How's that bear doing in Colorado?, March 30, 2015
... Bear essentials: Take a look at Little Ricki as she relaxes in her new home, April 27, 2015
... Ricki, the black bear rescued from a roadside cage on Lincoln Highway, thrives in Colorado sanctuary, Sept. 6, 2016
... Ricki, the bear saved from a cage on Lincoln Highway, enjoys 'peace and tranquility' at her Colorado home, Oct. 9, 2017
... 25 animals -- alpacas, emus, more -- removed from Jim Mack's roadside attraction where Ricki the bear once lived, Nov. 21, 2017
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| #Crime/Courtroom: As a newspaper reporter, I often had to deal with crime -- sometimes on the scene, during the investigation or in the courtroom. I always tried to approach the subjects with understanding and compassion. |
... Remembering Karlie Hall: Student's death at boyfriend's hands spurs family to tackle domestic violence issues, Aug. 8, 2016
... One last round in the ring: Friends say farewell to boxer who died after shooting in Lancaster, March 2, 2017
... 'I forgive him': Lancaster woman, accidentally shot through wall by neighbor, dies in hospital, husband says, April 23, 2018
... Police, EMT resources are being drained in Lancaster, Columbia by a rise in synthetic drug use, May 2, 2018
... Nearly 4 years after his son was gunned down in Clay Township home, father still seeks answers, closure, June 12, 2018
... Arrest in Mirack murder lifts hopes of resolution for Lindy Sue Biechler, killed 42 years ago in Manor Township, July 16, 2018
... 'Just like a wild man': Ronks man, 73, describes attack that left his brother-in-law dead outside his home, Aug. 21, 2018
... 'You never move past it': School leaders empathize with the communal grief following student deaths, Oct. 31, 2018 |
| #Offbeat: And here are a few stories that are just a little quirky. |
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