Bio

Biography

Kari broke into journalism in fifth grade, when she became a reporter for her elementary school newspaper, The Naquag Times. Her beat: profiling teachers and reviewing movies, including the first release of Star Wars, a long, long time ago.

She has since been a sports, news, features, general assignment and foreign reporter, and now works as a full-time outdoor adventure and travel writer. Read on for a brief run-down on her journalism career.

Freelance Writer and Photographer
Since 1998, when Kari returned from an 18-month journey around the world, during which she had two near-death experiences, she�s been writing about travel and adventure for newspapers, magazines, and websites. Click on the following publications to see samples of her writing, and go to the Books section to read stories that have appeared in travel anthologies.

Newspapers

Magazines and Journals

Islands Magazine
Outside Magazine
Sport Diver
Backpacker Magazine
Hooked on the Outdoors
Sports Illustrated for Women
Yankee Magazine
Above & Beyond (inflight, First Air, Canada)
Points of Entry: Cross-Currents in Storytelling
Passionfruit: A Women's Travel Journal
Bridal Guide 2005
Outdoor Explorer
Transitions Abroad (columnist, contributing editor)
Thai & IndoChina Traveller (Thailand)

Websites

GreatOutdoors.com
MyPrimeTime.com
GoNomad.com
iTravelMate.com (UK; wrote iTravel Handbook)
WholeJourneys.com

Editor and Journalist ~ Weekend Guide and Middlesex News (Framingham, MA)
As reporter: Each week, for four years, Kari wrote the cover story for the Weekend Guide (460,000 readers), on everything from skydiving, hang-gliding and swimming with sharks to stargazing, ballroom dancing and soaking in spas (all based on first-hand experience). She also reviewed Boston-area museum exhibits, and art shows throughout central and eastern Massachusetts.

As editor: Kari managed 11 staff and freelance writers, assigned stories and oversaw the budget, plus edited articles and laid out the Weekend Guide each week (back when paste-up was still used). She also led a company-wide pagination and redesign project.

As project leader and foreign correspondent: At the height of Rwanda's civil war in 1994, Kari created and managed "Global Outreach," a newspaper-sponsored relief project that provided Rwandan refugees with $10,000 worth of medicines and one ton of clothing, all donated by readers in Eastern Massachusetts. After writing stories promoting this relief effort and transporting the donations to Rwanda, Kari traveled to Central Africa to report on and photograph the distribution of these supplies in refugee camps, orphanages and hospitals in Rwanda and Eastern Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo).

General Assignment Reporter ~ Barnet Borough and Hendon Times (UK)
From 1992 to 1993, Kari wrote news, feature, and travel stories for the Barnet Borough Times and Hendon Times, covering Northwest London. She also hung out in London restaurants and screening rooms while working on food and film reviews.

Editorial Assistant ~ The Boston Globe (Boston, MA)
Kari wrote articles for the Living/Arts section, including a feature on Carly Simon based on an in-person interview (a big deal for a mere college student); proofread the daily and Sunday Living/Arts sections; conducted research for reporters; fielded phone queries for editors and reporters in the Living/Arts and newsroom departments; scheduled interviews and photo assignments for columnist Marian Christy; and recorded news tips. Also, during her one-and-a-half years at the Globe, she transcribed stories for the National/Foreign department, and music interviews for writers in the Living/Arts department.

Town Reporter ~ Greenfield Recorder (Greenfield, MA)
Wendell, a town tucked away in the Berkshire Mountains, wanted to secede from the state of Massachusetts in 1990, when Kari covered Wendell town politics, schools and issues for the Greenfield Recorder.

Sports Reporter ~ Clinton Item (Clinton, MA)
Kari�s first paid newspaper job, which netted her $8 (cash) per story. She covered Wachusett Regional High School's field hockey, soccer, softball, baseball and basketball teams for the Clinton Item from 1984 to 1986.

Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
Kari has been a member of the Society of American Travel Writers since 2000. This professional association promotes responsible journalism, provides professional support and development for its members, and encourages the conservation and preservation of travel resources worldwide. The group's 1,300 members include writers, photographers, editors, electronic media and journalists, film lecturers, broadcast/video/film producers and PR representatives.