Chicago Legend Studs Terkel "Checks out" at Age 96; Terkel's Work Inspired On the Job

Studs Terkel, a Chicago legend and Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, passed away on Halloween at the age of 96. Tribune newsman Rick Kogan, Terkel’s godson, wrote the following obituary in the Chicago Tribune:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-studs-terkel-dead,0,2321576.story

It was Terkel’s work that inspired On the Job, the first book from award-winning Chicago journalist Daniel P. Smith. While teaching at a suburban Chicago high school, Smith’s three classes of sophomore students were introduced to Terkel’s work and asked to find one of the characters Terkel interviewed (often, common folk from all walks of life) and discuss that individual’s own perception of their station in life. As Smith noted student after student exploring police officers, he reflected upon the intrigue many had expressed upon hearing of his own connections to the Chicago Police. From there, On the Job was born. In the course of writing On the Job, Smith again called upon Terkel’s work.

“I remember Studs talking about how he would always have his subject help him with something, like finding an outlet for his tape recorder, even when he didn’t need that help,” Smith explains. “But he wanted his subjects to feel comfortable, at ease, and that they were important, valued partners in the process. Then, he just listened, respecting their stories and their candor.”

In interviewing the wide group of officers he did for On the Job, Smith sought the same end: allowing the officers, common folk who called Chicago home, to share their own stories, listening and doing his best to follow Terkel’s example.

Smith to appear on "The Sunday Papers" with Rick Kogan

On Sunday, November 2, On the Job author Daniel P. Smith will join Chicago journalist Rick Kogan on WGN Radio's morning program, "The Sunday Papers." The Smith-Kogan discussion can be heard in the 6:30am-7:00am time slot on WGN Radio (720 AM in Chicago).

Upon the release of On the Job, Kogan said: "Taking on no easy task, Danny Smith gives us a compelling journey into the hearts and minds and even the souls of those urban soldiers we call cops. As real and wild and fascinating as the streets they travel."

"Rick Kogan is one of Chicago's finest storytellers and a man whose work I greatly admire. It will be an absolute thrill to discuss On the Job with him," said Smith of his impending radio appearance with he Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist.

A discussion with On the Job author Daniel P. Smith

"The Sunday Papers" with Rick Kogan

Sunday, November 2 @ 6:30am

WGN Radio (720 AM)

For more information on "The Sunday Papers," please visit: http://www.wgnradio.com/shows/sundaypapers/index.html

High energy characterizes author Daniel P. Smith's presentation to Sisters in Crime

Daniel P. Smith speaks to the Sisters in Crime writing group

at Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park.

On Saturday, October 18, On the Job author Daniel P. Smith spoke to the Sisters in Crime, a writing group of mystery and crime writers from throughout the Chicagoland area. In addition to noting the personal experiences that led him to penning On the Job, Smith discussed the ways in which On the Job could bolster the work of the fiction writers.

"Credibility," Smith said, "is central to the work of any writer and when we understand the worlds we are writing about--both fiction and nonfiction writers--we gain the reader's trust and establish ourselves as professional, committed writers."

Sincere thanks go to Sisters in Crime director Annie Chernow as well as Augie Alesky, owner of Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park, who has been an energetic champion of On the Job.

Upcoming Author Events

Catch On the Job author Daniel P. Smith at these upcoming events:

Saturday, October 18 @ 11am
Sisters in Crime Chicago meeting
Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore (Forest Park)
An event open to all, author Daniel P. Smith will be speaking

at the Sisters in Crime regular meeting.
http://www.sincchicago.com/index.html

Monday, October 20 @ 6:30-8:45pm
Homer Township Library Author's Fair
14320 W. 151st St.
Homer Glen, IL 60491
http://www.homerlibrary.org/newsblog.asp
Smith will be one of a dozen Chicago author's showcased at the event. He will also offer a brief presentation at 8pm titled "The Path to On the Job: A murder, a deadbeat dad, and where TV cop shows fail."

Thursday, November 6 @ 7pm

Deerfield Public Library

920 Waukegan Road

Deerfield, IL 60015

http://www.deerfieldlibrary.org/

Smith takes his engaging presentation to the northern suburbs. In this free event, Smith will discuss what led him to write On the Job, the officers he encountered, and take audience questions.

Author runs Chicago Marathon and raises nearly $700 for CPD Memorial Foundation

Smith (in blue top) passes the 14-mile mark at the Chicago Marathon.

On the Job author Daniel P. Smith hit 26.2 miles of Chicago's streets on Sunday, October 12, 2008 in honor of Chicago's fallen officers. Smith joined thousands of runners from throughout the globe to tackle the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and in the process raised nearly $700 for the Chicago Police Department Memorial Foundation.


Smith finished in a time of 3 hours 21 minutes, which placed him among the event's top 1400 finishers. Though hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon by recording a time under 3:11, Smith battled heat that reached into the 80s. Though pleased with his effort, Smith was even happier with his fundraising efforts.


"I'm thankful that so many family, friends, and colleagues saw the CPD Memorial Foundation as a cause worthy of their support," Smith said following the race.

Author Daniel P. Smith Joins Chicago Writers Association Board of Directors

Author and Journalist Daniel P. Smith was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Chicago Writers Association. He joins other Chicagoland writers committed to the craft and seeking to contribute to Chicago's literary presence on the national scene. Among the many things Smith and his fellow CWA board members are working on are: a Chicago Writers Hall of Fame; development of a tutoring and mentoring program; and forging relationships with other local writers groups.

"Nelson Algren said Chicago's no place to be a writer and I think we all look forward to challenging that notion and showing that Chicago can support and promote its literary artists," Smith said of joining the CWA board.

For more information on the Chicago Writers Association, please visit: http://www.chicagowrites.org/

October Author Events

Catch On the Job author Daniel P. Smith at these October events:

Saturday, October 4 @ 11-3

Author's Fair 2008

Joliet Public Library • Black Road Branch

3395 Black Road • Joliet, IL 60436

Smith will be one of 40 Chicago area authors appearing at the annual event.

Free and open to the public.

http://joliet.lib.il.us/booklovers/authorfair2008.htm

Saturday, October 18 @ 11am

Sisters in Crime Chicago meeting

Centuries and Sleuths Bookstore (Forest Park)

An event open to all, author Daniel P. Smith will be speaking at the Sisters in Crime regular meeting.

http://www.sincchicago.com/index.html

Monday, October 20 @ 6:30-8:45pm

Homer Township Library Author's Fair

14320 W. 151st St.

Homer Glen, IL 60491

http://www.homerlibrary.org/newsblog.asp

Smith will be one of a dozen Chicago author's showcased at the event. He will also offer a brief presentation at 8pm titled "The Path to On the Job: A murder, a deadbeat dad, and where TV cop shows fail."