Meet the Staff

Jeff Reich, Editor

My editing career started by chance some 20 years ago when, as a struggling writer in Mexico City, I took a copyediting job at the Mexico Journal, an English-language newsweekly. From there I moved on to positions at other magazines and newspapers—copy editor, page 1 editor, managing editor and consultant—in both Mexico and the U.S.

I also spent a number of years in the book business, working in independent and foreign-language stores in Milwaukee. I picked up my first copy of The Writer at age 14 and remained a lifelong reader, so I was thrilled to learn in 2000 that the magazine was moving to my hometown. Joining the staff and helping to make The Writer an even better resource for writers has been a real joy.

I live in downtown Milwaukee, just steps from Lake Michigan and the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum. In my spare time I enjoy good food, the Romantic composers and foreign films. My tall pile of books to read typically includes mysteries and Thomas Mann, plus works on urban studies, New York, Mexico, and European history and travel.

Ronald Kovach, Senior Editor

I spent 24 years in newspaper work before coming to The Writer, performing a variety of journalistic tasks (reporter, assistant metro editor, copy editor, features editor) at a variety of places (Milwaukee; Rochester, N.Y.; Dayton, Ohio; Cleveland; and Willoughby, Ohio). Along the way, I did a considerable amount of freelance writing for newspapers and magazines, including in-depth profiles, jazz columns, and innumerable book, concert and album reviews.

I earned a journalism degree at Kent State University and a master's degree in history from Cleveland State University.

In my free time, I perform as a blues and jazz organ player, attempt moderately challenging gourmet recipes in the kitchen, and enjoy family and friends.

A voracious reader, I am pleased to be in a job where my avocation is so closely matched to my vocation, and I look forward to bringing The Writer's audience a continuing mix of useful, interesting articles.

Sarah C. Lange, Associate Editor

I’ve been copy editing since 2001, mainly as a staffer but occasionally on a freelance basis. Before working for The Writer, I was a copy editor of cable and satellite entertainment magazines and a bookseller at a Milwaukee-area independent bookstore. I am delighted to be working with the extraordinary staff here and to be part of a publication whose writers inspire other writers to improve their craft.

At home I enjoy curling up on the couch with a good book and my puggle, Iris (in the photo above); practicing yoga; and having friends and family over for dinner. I also love to travel and to take in movies, plays and ballet performances.

Martha Lundin, Editorial Associate

My career includes marketing and public relations, office management, a stop-off to earn a law degree, and then private practice in a Milwaukee-area law firm and a stint as in-house counsel for an insurance company. Before joining The Writer, I worked as a reporter and managing editor for a business newspaper in Arizona.

In my leisure time, I love to read and listen to audiobooks, go to plays and movies, putter with flower gardening and remodeling projects, and cheer for the Green Bay Packers.

I'm happy to be part of the dedicated staff at The Writer and have the chance to blend my love of books and writing into a career.

Elfrieda Abbe, Publisher

My professional writing career began when I sold a freelance piece about a coffee house near Northwestern University to the Chicago Daily News. Selling my piece and hearing kind words from the editor gave me hope that I could have a career as a writer. Since then, I've been a writer and editor at newspapers (Pioneer Press in the Chicago area and the Milwaukee Sentinel, where I was the arts and entertainment editor), magazines (Celebrate Midwest and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Letters and Science Review), edited books and newsletters, written innumerable feature articles and film and art reviews for newspapers and magazines, and started a magazine about women working in film and video.

I first read The Writer in those early days of freelancing in Chicago. On its pages I found valuable advice on how to improve my writing and where I might find markets for it once I was finished. I found it to be a wonderful writer's companion, connecting me to the wider world of writers and writing. As editor of The Writer for seven years--and now as publisher--it's been gratifying to be part of a publication that has been such an important part of my writing history, and to be able to help bring the inspiration on its pages to other writers.