Vincenzo Spiaggi

Small-town Weekly: a Year in the Life of an Itinerant Newspaper Editor Vincenzo Spiaggi

The Valentine Voice is a mess. This small-town weekly newspaper is suffering from listless reporting, lifeless news presentation, and dwindling advertising revenues, all a result of its inexperienced, inept, and feckless management, and lack of effective community awareness. Into the equation enters Johnny Skull, an itinerant newspaper editor who has made a career of revitalizing failing, small-town weeklies and turning them into successful entities by upgrading their writing, reporting, photojournalism, and community advocacy. Through his editorials, feature articles, and interaction with the locals, we learn about Johnny and how he transforms the woeful newspaper into an award winner in just one year. His efforts, and the efforts of his newly energized local staff, are woven into the events and fabric of the town and county, including a tornado, a successful high school sports year, a surprise visit to the town by a rock 'n' roll legend, a mystery woman who sends love letters to Johnny, a major fire, and a multiple-murder spree.