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Former professor Purvis dies; UA, Fulbright years remembered Guest Column: Ad-libs: Do you know where your fire extinguishers are?
Arkansas Press Association
Publisher Weekly
By John Foust
Vol.18 | No. 22 | Thursday, June 1, 2023 | Serving Press and State Since 1873
Simpson, editor at The Courier, builds career, sells first novel encouraged me to pursue my creative side,” he said. Simpson’s first break toward a writing career came in 2010 when he began a column, “Misadventures in Fatherhood,” for The Courier.
Travis Simpson
Travis Simpson is a very busy man and, after years of love for the printed word, is fulfilling his long-time dream of writing for a living.
A real motivator for Simpson’s writing career is his wife Melissa, who holds a journalism degree from the University of West Florida. She encouraged him to speak to the editor at The Courier, Mike Roark, and simply ask if there was work available beyond the column. The result was his employment in 2012 in the sports department at the newspaper. Simpson grew up playing football but was less knowledgeable in some of the other
sports. “I wanted to write so badly, and I said, ‘I can write about anything you want me to write about.’” Simpson was somewhat apprehensive about his new position but relied on the support of his wife. “She gave me a crash course in how to be a journalist,” he said. “I just couldn’t have done it without her in my corner.” He also credits guidance from fellow journalist Sean Ingram, who remains at the newspaper as assistant editor. “I eventually became sports editor,” Simpson said, and was on a staff where “all had to wear every hat.” He began covering many of the major news stories at the Continued on Page 2
In addition to his demanding position as editor of The Courier in Russellville, Simpson works daily on various book projects and recently received the exciting news that one of his novels has been sold to a publisher. He also somehow finds time to attend the athletic and educational activities of his four children – Gregory, 17, Kaylee, 16, Jeffrey, 8, and Henry, 2. “I knew I wanted to write at a very young age,” Simpson said. That interest began in the fifth grade when he became a voracious reader, with sci-fi thrillers being his favorite genre. Simpson also credits his parents for support of his interests as a young man. He loved to draw (and still does), and his father always made sure he had all the art supplies he needed. “My parents always Arkansas Publisher Weekly
Simpson interviewing former Russellville Cyclones head football coach Billy Dawson after their 2016 State Championship win.
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June 1, 2023