Linda Leavell's Bio
An editor with more than 30 years of experience, I became The Write Coach in 2012 to help students select essay topics, write and polish their work for college admission, scholarships or internships. I am excited to see students shine and reach their potential. I've coached hundreds of students and read thousands of college essays.
At The Dallas Morning News, I was the managing editor of the newspaper’s website. In a separate role, I oversaw newsroom internship opportunities for high school and college students. I supervised dozens of interns personally, leading at least five to intern of the year honors from the Texas Daily Newspaper Association. For five years, I ran the newspaper’s annual journalism competition for Dallas-Fort Worth high schools and planned the corresponding educational conference for up to 500 students and teachers. And I headed the committee for selecting the recipients of the paper’s high school journalism scholarship program. In 2011, the Texas Association of Journalism Educators selected me for its Friend of Journalism Award.
Before working at The Dallas Morning News, I ran the Texas news operation for the Associated Press, the world’s largest newsgathering organization. I worked at smaller newspapers earlier in my career. I graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
Since the fall of 2012, I have been teaching the Writing and Editing Tutorial and Lab as an adjunct professor in SMU's journalism department. In 2021 and 2022, I served on the university's President's Scholars selection committee, and in 2023, I helped choose some of the university's Mustang Scholars. In the spring of 2013, I taught journalism to high school students at the Episcopal School of Dallas.
To get in touch with me, use this handy contact form. Or call me at 214-417-7719.
At The Dallas Morning News, I was the managing editor of the newspaper’s website. In a separate role, I oversaw newsroom internship opportunities for high school and college students. I supervised dozens of interns personally, leading at least five to intern of the year honors from the Texas Daily Newspaper Association. For five years, I ran the newspaper’s annual journalism competition for Dallas-Fort Worth high schools and planned the corresponding educational conference for up to 500 students and teachers. And I headed the committee for selecting the recipients of the paper’s high school journalism scholarship program. In 2011, the Texas Association of Journalism Educators selected me for its Friend of Journalism Award.
Before working at The Dallas Morning News, I ran the Texas news operation for the Associated Press, the world’s largest newsgathering organization. I worked at smaller newspapers earlier in my career. I graduated with highest honors from the University of Texas at Austin.
Since the fall of 2012, I have been teaching the Writing and Editing Tutorial and Lab as an adjunct professor in SMU's journalism department. In 2021 and 2022, I served on the university's President's Scholars selection committee, and in 2023, I helped choose some of the university's Mustang Scholars. In the spring of 2013, I taught journalism to high school students at the Episcopal School of Dallas.
To get in touch with me, use this handy contact form. Or call me at 214-417-7719.
