Michele C. Hollow

I’ve worked both sides of the desk—from staff editor and reporter to freelancer. My articles have appeared in national newspapers, magazines, and trade publications. I write about a wide range of subjects from pets and wildlife to family travel and health.

I do a lot of family travel writing. My travel stories have an educational slant. I’ve written about my son learning how to load and fire cannons at Valley Forge National Historic Park, glass blowing at the Corning Museum of Glass, farming in Amish country, and moose tours in Maine. My travel articles have appeared in The New York Daily News, Newsday, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Baltimore Sun, The Orlando Sentinel, The Hartford Courant, and independenttraveler.com.

I also write books. My latest is Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip it’s Been (Enslow Publishers, February 2009). What makes my book unusual is that it is written for 12-16 year olds. Enslow publishes books for K-12^th graders. The best part of writing this book was meeting and interviewing Bob Weir, lead guitarist and singer/songwriter for the Grateful Dead.  Weir talked about his love of music. He started out playing piano at age nine. "I later switched to the trumpet and then the guitar," he says. "My parents were happy with the guitar because it wasn't as loud." My book, which is filled with lots of information about the band members and a bit of history about the 1960s-1990s, is available in hardcover and paperback.  Check out my Books page for more info.

I am the author of The Everything Guide to Working with Animals, (Adams Media, March 2009). Writing this was a blast because I got to hang out with animals and the people who adore them. One of my favorite stops was Six Flags Great Adventure where I came nose to nose with an ostrich. I met a person who does makeup for animal actors. I also interviewed animal behaviorists, zoologists, veterinarians, dog and wildlife trainers, entomologists, biologists, and animal rescue workers. This book is filled with interviews from experts who share stories about their day-to-day jobs. I also freelance for Cat Fancy, Dog Fancy, dogtime.com, Pet Product News International, and Pet Style News.

In June 2009, I started my own blog. It's http://www.petnewsandviews.com. My blog covers stories on pets and wildlife.

I also cover health with an alternative bent. My articles have appeared in Health Monitor Network, Bottom Line/Women's Health, and the NY Daily News.

I received a writing award from East-West News Bureau International and the North American Travel Journalists Association for stories on Malaysia, and an award from the Black American Heritage Foundation for a New York Daily News article about the first postal stamps to honor African Americans.

I am a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and member and cofounder of Professionals in Media.