Scott T. Holland

Writing Profile

Scott began student journalism in 1995, turned professional in 2001 and began to diversify in 2009, eventually becoming a blogger and self-published author in addition to copy editing, op-ed writing and freelance legal journalism.

Newspaper Experience

From June 2001 to March 2009, print journalism was a full-time career.

Independence Bulletin-journal

June 2001-August 2002: Managing editor of a twice-weekly paper in the county seat of Buchanan County, Iowa, covering everything from school board elections to a murder trial while also responsible for copy editing, photography, page design and correspondent management.

  • Awarded Master Columnist (second place, weeklies, class B) in 2002 Iowa Newspaper Association Better Newspapers contest.

CLINTON HERALD

August 2002-February 2007: Hired as general assignment reporter, promoted to news editor and associate editor of a six-day afternoon daily in seat of Clinton County, Iowa. Covered all levels of government, business and human interest, wrote weekly column and daily editorials. As editor responsible for page design and daily budget.

  • Awarded Excellence in Editorial Writing (second place, dailies, class B) in 2006 Iowa Newspaper Association Better Newspapers contest.

THE TIMES

February 2007-March 2009: Hired as associate editor of six-day afternoon daily in Ottawa, Ill., seat of La Salle County. Helped manage content flow and performance of newsroom and photography staff in addition to copy editing, page design, weekly column and editorials.

Since, journalism has been a part-time enterprise.

THE TIMES

April 2009-March 2020: Working remotely, daily copy editing, social media management and occasional page design. Weekly writing duties include two editorials, “Salmagundi” general interest column and “Infield Chatter” baseball column. Writing honors include:

  • Northern Illinois Newspaper Association Awards, daily division:

    • 2010: Editorial (first place)

    • 2012: Column (second place)

    • 2016: Editorial (third place)

    • 2017: Editorial (first place, third place)

    • 2018: Sports column (third place)

  • Illinois Associated Press Media Editors Association Contest

    • 2012: Column or Blog, (second place, Division C)

    • 2016: Column or blog (first place, Division II/Mid-Sized)

    • 2020: Editorial writing (third place, Division II/Mid-Sized)

  • Illinois Press Association Contest:

    • 2013: Editorial writing (second place, dailies)

    • 2016: Sports column (first place, Division E)

    • 2018: News column (third place, Division E)

    • 2020: Sports column (fourth place, Division E)

    • 2020: News column (fourth place, Division E)

SHAW MEDIA ILLINOIS

May 2020-present: “Eye On Illinois” column analyzing state government through the perspective of Northern Illinois, syndicated across all Shaw Media Illinois properties up to four days per week.

COOK COUNTY RECORD

June 2015-present: Freelance. As assigned, extract narrative from legal documents such as class action complaints, trademark lawsuits and judicial opinions.

Dear Jack

A self-published book released in June 2010, "Dear Jack: Tracking the Journey From Only Child to Big Brother" is a collection of letters the author wrote to his 3-year-old son while his wife was pregnant with their second child. Starting on Father’s Day — before they knew there would be a Baby Two — and culminating with a letter written while sitting Baby Two in the neonatal intensive care unit the day he was born, the letters follow a father’s emotions as he mentally prepares for a second child, as well as trying to put into words the impact the first son had on life during his time as an only child. Contact the author for a print edition.