Journalism, Writing, Content Creation:

Award-Winning Writing Across All Platforms

With multiple first-place awards and over 15 years of professional writing and media experience, I deliver content that informs, engages, and drives meaningful conversation, whether it's a 750-word column, a long-form investigative piece, or a screenplay that needs the authentic voice of lived experience.

What Sets My Work Apart

I don't just report on criminal justice issues; I understand them from the inside. My writing combines journalistic rigor with firsthand knowledge of the systems I cover, resulting in content that resonates with both general audiences and those directly impacted by incarceration and re-entry.

Award Recognition:

• Two-time First Place Winner - Best Podcast (The Common Ground Initiative)

• First Place (2x) - Columnist of the Year

• First Place - Best Journalism Project

These aren't participation trophies. They reflect work that changed minds, sparked policy conversations, and gave voice to communities that mainstream media often overlooks.

Services I Provide

Journalism & Editorial Content

• Columns & Op-Eds: Regular commentary on criminal justice reform, re-entry policy, second-chance employment, and social equity. Published in ManchesterInkLink, Granite State News Collaborative, and available for syndication.

• Long-Form Features: In-depth investigative pieces, human interest stories, and reported narratives that go beyond surface-level coverage.

• News Analysis: Expert perspective on breaking criminal justice news, policy changes, and legislative developments.

• Thought Leadership: Bylined articles for organizations, nonprofits, and advocacy groups seeking authoritative voices on justice issues.

Creative & Scripted Content

• Screenplay & TV Writing: Script development for projects featuring criminal justice themes, formerly incarcerated characters, or prison/re-entry storylines. My depth of knowledge also reaches beyond Criminal Justice themes. I ensure dialogue, procedures, and character motivations ring true.

• Theater Scripts: Stage plays and dramatic works exploring themes of justice, redemption, and second chances.

• Podcast Production & Hosting: As host of the award-winning Lock and Key Podcast, I bring experience in audio storytelling, interview techniques, and creating compelling narratives in the podcast format.

Content Strategy & Ghostwriting

• Website Copy: Clear, compelling content for organizations working in the criminal justice space, from re-entry nonprofits to legal advocacy groups.

• Blog Posts & Articles: Regular content for organizations needing authentic voices on justice topics.

• Speeches & Presentations: Written remarks for executives, advocates, or formerly incarcerated individuals speaking publicly about their experiences.

• Grant Narratives: Compelling storytelling for nonprofits seeking funding for re-entry, workforce development, or justice reform initiatives.

Who Hires Me for Writing

Media Outlets seeking expert voices on criminal justice issues and re-entry topics

Nonprofits & Advocacy Organizations needing compelling content for websites, fundraising materials, annual reports, and thought leadership

Production Companies & Screenwriters developing authentic criminal justice narratives for TV, film, or streaming platforms

Publishers looking for freelance journalists who can cover justice reform with both professional credibility and personal insight

Podcast Networks seeking hosts or guests who can discuss criminal justice topics with authority and nuance

My Writing Philosophy

I believe in journalism that humanizes, not sensationalizes. Stories about formerly incarcerated people shouldn't traffic in tired redemption narratives. They should reflect the complex reality: people are more than their worst decisions, and the system affects families, communities, and entire generations.

Whether I'm writing a column about employment barriers or consulting with an author, my goal is the same: get the story right, honor the people it's about, and move the conversation forward.

Sample Topics I Cover

• Re-entry challenges and second-chance employment

• Parole and probation policy

• Prison conditions and reform

• Collateral consequences of conviction

• Family impact of incarceration

• Workforce development for justice-impacted individuals

• Media representation of formerly incarcerated people

• Restorative justice and alternative sentencing

• Juvenile justice and the school-to-prison pipeline

• Racial disparities in the criminal justice system

Published Work & Media Partnerships

Current Bylines:

• Former owner and operator of Nashua Digital (An online news and information hub)

• ManchesterInkLink (ongoing columnist)

• Granite State News Collaborative (freelance writer and podcast contributor)

• Lock and Key Podcast - Both Sides of Prison (Host and producer)

Available for:

• Freelance article assignments

• Regular column placement

• Guest podcast appearances

• Media commentary and expert quotes

• Script consultation and co-writing

• Content partnerships and collaborative projects

Rates & Availability

I work on both project-based fees and ongoing retainer arrangements, depending on your needs. Whether you need a single op-ed, a series of articles, or a long-term content partnership, let's discuss what makes sense for your budget and timeline.

Typical turnaround times:

• Op-eds/Columns: 5-7 business days

• Long-form features: 2-3 weeks

• Script consultation: Varies by project scope

• Podcast episodes: 3-4 weeks from booking to publication

📧 Email: anthonypayton111@gmail.com
📅 Schedule a consultation: Book here

Consulting Experience:

• Subject Matter Expert for a USA Today bestselling author, ensuring an authentic portrayal of justice-impacted characters

• Script consultant for writers and producers developing criminal justice content

• Authenticity reader for novels featuring formerly incarcerated characters

• Strategic advisor for re-entry programs and nonprofit organizations

Areas of focus:

• Incarceration & Re-entry
  
  

• Prison culture & authenticity review
  
  

• Storytelling for stage, screen, and print
  
  

• Justice-informed employer engagement

• Urban and rural communities

• Mental Health communities, Institutional Foodservice, Culinary Arts
  
  

If you want a narrative to ring true, I bring lived experience, media expertise, and a sharp editorial eye.

Speaking & Advocacy:

• Keynote speaker at universities, conferences, and community organizations

• Topics include justice reform, resilience narratives, media representation, and second-chance employment

• Mentor and advocate for at-risk youth and formerly incarcerated individuals seeking career pathways

Who I Work With

Authors & Publishers: Novelists writing formerly incarcerated characters, memoirists sharing justice-related experiences, publishers seeking sensitivity readers for criminal justice content

Screenwriters & Producers: Writers developing TV shows or films with prison/parole storylines, producers seeking authenticity consultants for crime dramas or documentaries

Nonprofit Organizations: Re-entry programs needing strategic planning or media strategy, advocacy groups seeking spokespeople or storytelling frameworks, workforce development initiatives targeting formerly incarcerated populations

Media Outlets: Publications seeking expert commentary on criminal justice issues, podcasts looking for knowledgeable guests, and news organizations covering re-entry and reform

Let's Work Together

Whether you're an author who needs your protagonist's backstory to feel authentic, an organization developing a re-entry initiative, or a media outlet seeking expert analysis on criminal justice issues, I bring both the professional credibility and personal insight your project deserves.

I'm available for:

• Manuscript and script consultation

• Sensitivity reading and authenticity review

• Speaking engagements and panel discussions

• Media commentary and expert interviews

• Strategic consulting for re-entry programs

• Podcast guest appearances

• Podcast production