Anthony Payton Media, LLC

Anthony Payton Media | Writer • Speaker • Consultant

Turning complex narratives into compelling content.

I'm Anthony Payton, an award-winning journalist specializing in criminal justice reporting and re-entry advocacy. I help authors, organizations, and content creators communicate sensitive topics with accuracy and humanity.

My work combines 15+ years of journalism experience with firsthand knowledge of the justice system, delivering insights that bridge academic research, policy work, and lived reality.

Whether you're writing a novel featuring formerly incarcerated characters, developing a re-entry program, or seeking a speaker who can address resilience and second chances, I bring credibility and nuance to your project.

Where Journalism Meets Justice Reform.

From columns to USA Today bestseller consulting, I help media professionals, publishers, and organizations navigate criminal justice narratives with integrity and impact.

About Snapshot

My career spans newsrooms, nonprofit boardrooms, and creative collaborations with bestselling authors. As both a journalist covering re-entry issues and someone who has navigated the justice system personally, I offer a perspective that's rare in media and publishing.

I've built my reputation on getting the details right, because when you're writing about incarceration, parole, or second chances, accuracy isn't optional. It's essential.

Services at a Glance

Services

I offer three types of engagement for media professionals, authors, and organizations working in the criminal justice space.

• Journalism & Content Creation – Op-eds, features, and thought leadership pieces for publications seeking authoritative voices on criminal justice reform, re-entry, and second-chance employment. Published in ManchesterInkLink, Granite State News Collaborative, and others.

• Consulting & Authenticity Services – Script consultation for TV/film projects, sensitivity reading for novels featuring justice-impacted characters, and strategic advising for re-entry programs. I ensure your portrayal rings true to those who've lived it—and help you avoid costly missteps.

• Speaking & Media Appearances – Keynotes and panel discussions for universities, conferences, and advocacy organizations. Topics include justice reform, resilience narratives, and the media's role in shaping public perception of formerly incarcerated individuals.

Featured Work/Projects and Media

• ManchesterInkLink Columnist – Ongoing series examining re-entry challenges, employment barriers, and policy solutions for formerly incarcerated New Hampshirites.

• Granite State News Collaborative – Reported series and podcast exploring criminal justice perspectives across New Hampshire's diverse communities.

• Consulting for USA Today Bestselling Author – Provided subject matter expertise ensuring authentic portrayal of justice-impacted characters in a major fiction release.

• Lock and Key Podcast – Host and producer of conversations about second chances, reform, and redemption. Open to sponsorships and media partnerships.

Consulting Snapshot

Credibility is everything when you're writing about the justice system.

• For Authors & Screenwriters: Ensure your formerly incarcerated characters sound like real people, not stereotypes. I review manuscripts and scripts for authenticity, catching errors that would make readers or viewers roll their eyes.

• For Re-Entry Organizations: Maximize your program's impact with strategic planning, storytelling frameworks for fundraising, and media training for spokespeople with justice backgrounds.

• For Publishers & Producers: Sensitivity reading and fact-checking on criminal justice content—from parole procedures to prison culture to employment barriers.

Ready to Work Together?

Whether you need a journalist who understands justice reform, a consultant who can make your characters feel real, or a speaker who's lived the topics they discuss—let's talk about your project.

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