RICHARD F. NEWBY
418 West Lawrence Street • Helena, MT 59601
phone: 406.461.7494 • e-mail: rnewby@mt.net
EDUCATION
University of Montana, 1971–1976, English and Creative Writing
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2018-present SEMIRETIRED, Helena, MT
Occasional writing and editing projects. Working on assembling A Regionalism That Travels: Writings on (Mostly) Montana Arts, 1975-2022, and my New & Selected Poems, 1974-2023 (title TBA). I’m also hard at work on a chronicle, both fictive and documentary, which investigates, plays with, and embroiders the stories of a family of Jewish ranchers and merchants who came to Helena in the mid-1860s (based upon my wife’s family), and a Scottish family who settled first in the Judith Basin and later near Belt (based upon my maternal grandparents’ family of upright Scots). The research for this chronicle has already been a joy, as I find wonderful and unexpected materials about Montana in the late 19th century, materials that, I hope, will expand, enrich, and complexify our view of our past and our present.
2006–2017 DRUMLUMMON INSTITUTE, Helena, MT
A nonprofit organization devoted to fostering research, writing, and publishing on the arts and culture of Montana and the broader West
Executive Director (part-time)
As executive director of the Institute, oversaw a variety of research and
writing projects on various aspects of Montana culture, ranging from poetry to visual arts, folklife to jazz, food to film. Oversaw the publication of the Institute’s books. Served as editor-in-chief of Drumlummon Views (www.drumlummoninstitute.org), the Institute’s online journal of Montana arts and culture.
1997– 2017 ZADIG, L.L.C., Helena, MT
A communications firm.
Principal (part-time)
As editorial principal of a communications firm, assisted clients in producing highest-quality publications, exhibits, and signage. Edited wide range of books for trade and scholarly publishers; packaged books for publishers; researched and wrote scholarly essays for museums and historical institutions; and wrote articles on many subjects.
1989–1997 FALCON PUBLISHING CO., INC., Helena, MT
A national mid-sized publisher of outdoor recreation, travel, and regional history books.
Editorial Director (1995–1997)
As a member of the senior management team, helped manage Falcon’s
transition from seat-of-the-pants entrepreneurial publisher to mature business, building it into a national contender. Managed editorial department, directing a staff of six editors. Directed manuscript acquisition and production editorial process, with budget oversight. Managed and trained pool of freelance editors. Developed in-house style manual. Worked closely with art and production directors to maintain design quality and meet production deadlines. Founded TwoDot Books, a successful imprint featuring books on western history and
culture.
Director, SkyHouse Publishers, an imprint of Falcon Publishing (1989–1994)
Developed the book-packaging profit center within Falcon. Directed sales,
managed client relations, oversaw editorial direction, and developed and met aggressive annual budgets. Oversaw development of imprint “look.” Grew SkyHouse from one employee (myself ) to four and built sales to nearly $1 million annually.
1988–1989 MERZ, Helena, MT
A freelance writing, editing, and research business.
Proofread and copyedited numerous books for regional publishers. Published articles in regional, national, and international magazines. Wrote Great Escapes: Montana State Parks (1988) for Falcon Press, and ghostwrote/edited On Flatwillow Creek: Montana’s N-Bar Ranch (1989) by Linda Grosskopf, a book packaged by Falcon Press.
1980–1987 MONTANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Helena, MT
The oldest historical society west of the Mississippi.
Editorial Assistant, Montana Historical Society Press (1984–1987)
In the intense discipline of an exceptional small scholarly press, reviewed
manuscripts, checked documentation, checked facts, indexed books, and
edited articles for Montana The Magazine of Western History. As assistant editor of The Montana Post, the Society’s newsletter, wrote newsletter copy. Wrote sales copy for the Society’s retail catalog.
Archival Technician, Montana Historical Society Archives (1982–1984)
Processed small archival collections and assisted staff archivists.
Cataloger, Montana Historical Society Museum (1980–1982)
Cataloged artifacts for museum program.
1976–1979 VARIOUS EDITORIAL AND RESEARCH POSITIONS, Helena, MT
Montana Institute for High Technology Applications (1979–1980).
Montana House of Representatives (1979).
Montana League of Cities and Towns (1978).
Montana Legislative Council (1976–1977).
1975-2009 PERIODICAL EDITORIAL/WRITING
Assistant editor, CutBank 4, University of Montana, Missoula (1975)
Co-editor (with Robert Wrigley, William Turner, & Steven Christenson), CutBank 5, University of Montana, Missoula (1975)
Co-editor (with Lowell Uda, Phil Cohea, Robbie Hill, & Penelope Loucas), Scratchgravel Hills, Dog Creek Press, Helena, MT (1978-1980)
Contributing editor, North Country Review: A Montana Journal of Western Life & Literature, Billings, MT (1989-1990)
Chair, Board of Directors, Kinesis Magazine, Whitefish, MT (1991-1992)
Contributor, Black & White Magazine, Santa Barbara, CA (2002-2004)
Editor-in-chief, Drumlummon Views: The Online Journal of Montana Arts
& Culture, Helena, MT (2006-2009)
HONORS AND AWARDS
ARPA Montana Artist Award, Montana Arts Council, for work on “The Helena Notebooks,” 2022
High Plains Book Award, Art/Photography, 2018. For Theodore Waddell—My Montana: Paintings & Sculpture, 1959-2016 (Drumlummon Institute, 2017)
Montana Governor’s Award for the Arts, 2016
Montana Governor’s Award for the Humanities, 2009
Honoree, Montana Artists Refuge, Basin, MT, 2006
Friends of Helena Film Society Grant-to-Artists Program, 1989. Grant (with visual artist Doug Turman) for creation of “Sobering Moments in Montana History: Actual Events, Genuine Characters,” a collaboration featuring twelve texts and twelve etchings.
Friends of Helena Film Society Grant-to-Artists Program, 1982. Grant (with visual artist Jack Jasper) for production of an artist’s book, The Man in the Green Loden Overcoat (Helena, MT: Second Story Verlag, 1983)
Montana Arts Council First Book Award, 1981. For A Radiant Map of the
World (Missoula, MT: 1981). Judges: A. B. Guthrie, Jr., and William Pitt Root.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
University of Montana Press (Missoula, MT). Advisory Board, 2016–2017.
Montana Artists Refuge (Basin, MT). Residency Review Panel, 2003–2007.
Helena Festival of the Book (Helena, MT). Co-Director, Steering
Committee, 2002–2009.
Montana Arts Council. Montana Governor’s Arts Awards selection committee, 2022. Montana Poet Laureate selection committee, 2021. Council member, 2007–2012. Chair, Artists’ Grants Committee, 2008–2012. Judge, Poetry Out Loud: National Recitation Contest (Montana Contest), 2006, 2008, 2010. Consultant, Montana Arts Pro Roster, 1998–2003. Literature Fellowship Panel, 1998. Working Group, Technical Assistance/Training Grants for Artists & Artists’ Organizations, 1998. Application Review Panel, Artists in Schools/Communities Sponsor Program, 1986–1989. Advisory Panel, Poets and Writers in the Schools/Communities Program, 1982–1984, 1991.
Montana Committee for the Humanities / Montana Center for the Book.
Statewide Advisory Committee, 2005–2012, 2017. Advisory Board, Montana
Center for the Book (since 1998, a program of the Montana Committee for
the Humanities), 1998–2002. Board of Directors, Montana Center for the
Book, 1989–1998. Chair, 1991–1993.
Northern Clay Center (Minneapolis, MN). Panelist, McKnight Artist
Fellowships for Ceramic Artists Program, 2006.
Nevada Arts Council. Panelist, Annual Writers’ Fellowships, 2006.
Clay Studio of Missoula (Missoula, MT). Panelist, International Cup
Exhibition, 2006.
Helena Education Foundation (Helena, MT). Judge, Annual Writers’
Contest, 2005–2009.
Holter Museum of Art (Helena, MT). Board of Directors, 2002–2003. Chair,
Marketing Committee, 2003.
Myrna Loy Center for the Performing and Media Arts (Helena, MT).
Programming/Performances Advisory Committee, 2000. Chair, Fundraising Task Force, Friends of the Myrna Loy Center, 1999.
Hellgate Writers (Missoula, MT). Statewide Advisory Board, 1991–1997.
Kinesis Magazine (Whitefish, MT; covered arts issues in the West). President, Board of Directors, 1991–1992.
Queen City Jazz (Helena, MT, nonprofit dedicated to presenting
contemporary jazz). Founding Member, Board of Directors, 1985–1992. Vice-President, 1985–1991.
Helena Poetry Festival. Steering Committee, 1984, 1986. Chair, 1986.
Rick Newby, Writer & Editor 