On Deadline was compiled and edited by Mark Mahoney, editorial page editor of The Post-Star in Glens Falls, N.Y. If you have an innovations or inspiration you'd like to share with American Editor readers, please e-mail it to Mark at mahoney@poststar.com.

Spring 2009 Moving on Lessons from across the pond Go jump in a lake Re-gifting Unflattering portrayal Freedom of speech debate Blame it on the kid Super Bummer Business model Aren’t we non-profit already? Sun still not shining Fewer statehouse reporters

SCOTT MILFRED, THE EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR at the Wisconsin State Journal, said his daughter picked up an old copy of “Deadline! From News to Newspapers” at her elementary school library's book sale.

The book, written in 1987 by Gail Gibbons, is aimed at children in grades 1-3, and provides kind of a simple tutorial on the six busiest hours of a day in the life of a daily newspaper.

Milfred flipped through his daughter's copy of the book and was particularly amused by the author's depiction of the editorial editor.

“He is the only member of the Gazette's staff who is cue-ball bald and fond of turtlenecks. And he's the only one with an important-looking degree hanging above his desk. He must keep his bottle of scotch — which isn't visible here — in his lower desk drawer, pulling it out closer to deadline.”

And your kids wondered why daddy always came home from work smelling like that guy who sleeps at the bus stop.*