When my boss asked me to write this, I was a little nervous.
Was she asking me what I do all day? Going to use this to determine my job description?
I decided she was interested in gathering some ammunition to take to the publishers, Calvin and Max, to wangle more money for the newsroom. I’m all for that, especially if it means a raise.
I’m Clarice Stamms and I’m the police reporter for a mid-sized daily newspaper in California called the Monroe Press. My boss is Amy Hobbes, the Managing Editor. And I realize that we’re both lucky to have jobs at one of the few newspapers left that print a daily edition.
My day usually starts around ten in the morning, which is perfect, since I’m a night person. First, I have to have coffee. I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie—probably why I love my job. As the caffeine hits, I read the Press to see if the copy editors changed anything in my stories and check on the headline they wrote. One of the hardest things to get across to people I write about is that I don’t write the headlines. Once I finish the story, and edit it the way I want, it’s out of my hands.
After a quick shower, I start my morning phone calls. I’m not officially at work yet and this time doesn’t get charged to the Press, but it can give up a jump start on my day.
I call the Monroe police and fire department and the county sheriff’s department. I’m looking for any unusual calls they received after about nine p.m. the previous night.
If there’s an active “incident,” a fire, burglary or robbery…something that requires official involvement, I throw on some clothes and hit the street. I used to have a police scanner next to my bed, but didn’t get a lot of sleep. It there’s something really big that goes down in the middle of the night, one of my friends at dispatch will call me but it has to include “shots fired” or “injuries” or “fatalities” or, for a fire “mutual aid requested”. Those are the calls that get immediate responses and most everything will be cleaned up by the next morning, when I would normally get there. Everything else can wait.
My official shift starts at twelve p.m. and runs until nine p.m. which is when I have to turn in my last story for the day.
There isn’t anything that requires me to be at a scene today, so I spend an hour or so at the city police and the county sheriff’s departments, talking to officers about what they’re working on or what training is coming up.
SWAT training or Swift Water Rescue training are good for feature stories and today it’s Swift Water. The cops like them because it shows that they stay ready to help the public and it’s tax dollars at work in a positive way. The summer heat is starting and today I get to spend a chunk of the afternoon at the rivers, watching firefighters and cops in wetsuits, tops unzipped and bottoms hanging off their hips. It’s a difficult assignment, but someone’s gotta do it.
One of the things I’m constantly reminded of by my boss is my relationship with the Sheriff, Jim Dodson. Well, the one beyond my professional relationship.
Amy is the widow of a policeman who was killed in a high-speed chase and she’s constantly reminding me to keep the business and personal barriers up. A little difficult because Jim Dodson and I are…well, “dating.” We don’t know where this will lead.
For now, working at the Press is fine and I love the police beat. I’m covering the most instant news that happens in Monroe. But I do have a master’s degree from the U.C. Berkeley J-school, and I think I’d like to tackle more investigative pieces.
When I began, about five years ago, I had my sights set on working for a major metro, a paper like the San Francisco Chronicle, L.A. Times or the mother lode, the New York Times. Now all those papers are cutting back, so I’m wondering about the wire services like The Associated Press.
Where ever the future is, I spend every day digging up the most interesting stories about people, just plain people, and writing the best stories I can. Whether I’m in Monroe, New York or Africa, I intend to tell stories for the rest of my life.
You can read more about Clarice in Delta for Death, the third book in the “Amy Hobbes Newspaper” mystery series, published May 2015. The first two books in the series are Edited for Death and Labeled for Death.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 12 a.m. eastern on August 28 for the chance to win a Kindle version or PDF of Delta for Death. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be notified within 48 hours after giveaway closes and you will have three days to respond after being contacted or another winner will be selected.
About the author
Michele Drier was born in Santa Cruz and is a fifth generation Californian. She’s lived and worked all over the state, calling both Southern and Northern California home. During her career in journalism—as 
a reporter and editor at daily newspapers—she won awards for producing investigative series.
Her paranormal romance series, The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, was named one of the best paranormal vampire series of 2014 by reviewers of the Paranormal Romance Guild. SNAP: All That Jazz, Book Eight of The Kandesky Vampire Chronicles, was awarded second place for best book of 2014.
Sounds like a good story, I live in California so like the setting. Thanks for the giveaway.
I have read from this author, thanks for the chance 🙂
Michele Drier is a new author for me. This book sounds great and I’m adding it to my TBR list. Thank you for this opportunity.
This is a great series. Clarice is not only a great reporter, she goes after her stories with heart and soul as well as a journalistic laser knife to cut away the dross. Michele writes of the world she knows, and she does it with a keen sense of humor, style, and accuracy. These books need to come to the top of your TBR pile. Too good to miss.
This series sounds like fun. I’m caught by the fact that Michelle is 5th generation Californian. Not many of us can say we’re 5th generation from any state. I would be very. Pleased to own the Kindle version of DELTA FOR DEATH.
This sounds like a good read. I like reading about a newspaper journalist when all of the papers are cutting back.
Thanks for all the comments! Clarice and I appreciate them (I’m very fond of her).
And thanks Dru for letting us come by.
I love coffee and can relate how my day just doesn’t get started without it. To be a newspaper journalist was one of my interests when I was younger.
This book will allow me to live vicariously through it. robeader53@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read.
Just talking with friends last night about the sad demise of newspapers, Robeader.
And Rita, thanks!
Ah, the newspaper beat. Always interesting.
Yep! There’ s always a story…
I still subscribe to a newspaper, but seldom read it. Hubby reads the paper online. I spend too much time reading books (on Kindle) instead.
You’re right, Barbara, I used to subscribe to three, but not now.
Sounds fascinating!
Thanks, Sylvia!
Reporter stories are the best kind of fun. I’ll have to get started on this series. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
Newspaper stories are fun! Thanks for the comment !
I absolutely have to have my morning newspaper…although now, with all the cutbacks and people who read on line-I hate that-I refer to it as my morning news pamphlet. Regardless, I still pay for it and enjoy it, scant as it may now be. I like a series where people labor intensively to keep the paper alive!
The demise of papers breaks my heart , Kathleen.
As a former Newspaper reporter and editor, as well as a HUGE FAN of Michele Drier’s books, I love the Amy Hobbs/Clarice Stamms series! Sure I love the Kandinsky series, but for the pure “I’ve been there/done that” thrill of watching a reporter “on the job,” I love the newspaper series. I suppose she’ll have to switch to the e-version of the daily paper eventually–but that could be exciting too! Unless, of course, she klutz’s up like Linda Ellerbee did while working for the AP in Dallas where she accidentally sent a “isn’t he a creep” email about her boss. Out on the AP wires. LOLOL Clarrice would NEVER do that…would she? LOL Good luck with this one, Michele–and I’ve already got my copy so someone else is about to get happy!
Hey, TT, of course Clarice wouldn’t do that…LOL! Thanks for the good words!@
Another series to add to myWish List…
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Thanks Cyn, hope you enjoy them !
Ah, another news reporter. They are the best.
Mary Jane, you speak the truth! Just spent the day with one , an old friend. Thanks for the comment.
Wow, fascinating sounding.
Thanks!
I still like to read a real newspaper and appreciate stories about how reporters gather their information.
Hi Roch, my preference, too, and trust me, the Amy Hobbes series are real. In fact, each book includes one one actual murder/investigation that my reporters covered. Always something going on!
Thanks for the comment.
I’m hooked on Michele’s Amy Hobbes mysteries and Clarice is one of my all-time favorite characters. I especially enjoy the dynamic between boss Amy Hobbes and headstrong reporter Clarice.
She’s so fun to write!Thanks for commenting…
I don’t need to win a book since I own this entire series. Definitely one of the best mystery series around.
You’re always such a great supporter, Cindy!
What a wonder woman reporter, that Clarice! Love her *:)
Yep, she’s great!
All I can say is, keep them coming! A great read!
Thanks, Rae! There are a few more in the wings….
A New to me series. sounds good.
I hope you enjoy them, Kari!
Thanks Michele for commenting and interacting with my readers.
Contest is closed.