Columnist Gery L. Deer Wins 2025 Appalachian Writers Conference Journalism Award

JAMESTOWN, Ohio, Sept. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Thursday, September 4th, acclaimed feature writer Gery L. Deer was honored with the 2025 Appalachian Writers Conference Journalism Award, recognizing his exceptional three-part feature series, "Just My Type." The articles, which spotlighted a family-run typewriter repair shop, were published in October 2024 across the Xenia Daily Gazette, Fairborn Daily Herald, Beavercreek News-Current, and online at TheJamestownComet.com. The series resonated widely, drew thousands of views, and generated business for the shop.

The Appalachian Writers Conference (AWC) was established in 2023 by Dr. Melissa Newman, President and CEO of Martin Sisters Publishing. The conference supports writers through immersive workshops on craft, contracts, publishing, marketing, and opportunities to pitch to agents. The AWC has quickly become a nationally respected event.

"This year, we introduced the journalism award category that we hope to continue," said Newman, who is also a journalist and former professor of communication. "It recognizes recipients for their steadfast commitment to journalism that celebrates our shared humanity."

Deer's award-winning series captivated readers with its heartfelt portrayal of a young entrepreneurial family reviving a business many considered obsolete. "I'm incredibly humbled and grateful for this honor. I intended the story as a single feature article about an unusual local business," Deer explained. "This young entrepreneurial family chose an enterprise likely seen as arcane — but I saw much more. I wanted to tell their story." (Click for a video of Deer's comment.)

With a diverse career including stage performance and voiceover, Deer's journey is rooted in decades of storytelling. He grew up on a small cattle farm and studied engineering and computer science in college. Deer funded his education by working as a staff writer and editor for the campus newspaper.

Deer spent several years in engineering sectors before he founded GLD Communications in 1998—an IT firm turned advertising and public relations media agency that has served clients nationwide and in the United Kingdom for more than 25 years.

Despite his technical career, Deer continued writing and has been published in hundreds of newspapers, magazines, and digital outlets. His long-running op-ed column, Deer In Headlines, has earned national editorial award nominations, and his copywriting work has garnered multiple advertising awards. In 2010, another feature series Deer wrote was even nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

All three parts of Just My Type are now available as one article at www.thejamestowncomet.com, featuring exclusive photos and author notes. Gery Deer can be reached through his agency at www.gldcommunications.com. Learn more about the AWC online at www.appalachianwritersconference.com.

Media Contact:
Gery Deer
937-902-4857
[email protected]

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SOURCE Gery Deer