Janice L. Semmel
Janice decided to make a change in her life after the death of her Dad on March 3, 2003. Instead of crunching numbers as a self-employed bookkeeper 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, she decided to enroll in journalism classes and follow her passion for reading, writing and photography.
While completing requirements for her journalism certificate, Janice wrote a number of stories not only for the Paradise Valley Community College Puma Press but also for other local publications including the Desert Botanical Garden Sonoran Quarterly, Phoenix Republic and The Catholic Sun. After receiving her journalism certificate, Janice continues to write, read, take photos, attend classes and broaden her writing opportunities.
Janice used her time as an editor with the Puma Press to improve her writing skills, obtain interviewing techniques, take on copyediting assignments, advance her photographic skills, learn to blog and interact with and learn from everyone she interviewed as well as students, faculty and staff.
Janice’s goals in writing as a journalist include informing, entertaining and educating the public about people, books, programs, establishments and resources available to them.
An avid reader since elementary school, Janice also began to read and review books when she saw a call for “Great Book Reviewers” in a newsletter written by Jerry Simmons. In response to this call, Janice received books from Paula Krapf and Penny Sansevieri at Author Marketing Experts, Inc. to review. Her interest in books includes both fiction and non-fiction written by new and well-established authors.
To learn more about Janice and read some of her clips, please visit her ePortfolio at http://eport.maricopa.edu/published/j/semmel/jsemmel/home/1/.
