Jon Suggs

a short portfolio

I’ve been writing for most of my life, in various places, for fun and profit.

You’re on my personal site. Everything here was written by me, and I built the site in WordPress. You can browse the site and see plenty of my work.

This page, however, was curated to showcase my professional work.

SAMPLING OF SCRIPT-WRITING: The Short Film

“Attack of the Evil Fatbergs” – I wrote the script for this short film about the dangers of pouring fats, oils, and grease down your drain.

SAMPLING OF STORIES: The Journalism Days

“One Man’s D-Day” – (feature story): I interviewed Henry Doar, on the 60th anniversary of D-Day, about his role as a squad leader during the assault on Omaha Beach. (This was awarded Second Place Feature Writing, in the 2004 Georgia Associated Press Association News Contest.)
“These Last Few Months, in Pieces” – (serious column): These were my reflections on the return of a loved one from a war zone.
“Italian for Friends: Anatomy of a Dinner Party” – (humorous column): This is a narration of a frantic evening in the kitchen. (This is one of three columns I submitted that were collectively awarded Second Place Humorous Column, in the Georgia Press Association 2005 Better Newspaper Contest.)
“Tagging Bear #44” – (feature story): This is an account of a black bear capture in the Middle Georgia Bear Census.

SAMPLING OF STORIES: The Government Days

Watch Out for Snakes! – (blog post): This informational post originally appeared on georgia.gov, the homepage of Georgia state government. (The blog section no longer exists on georgia.gov, so I have re-hosted the work here.)
Why Wait? Winter Weather Won’t – (blog post): This informational post originally appeared on georgia.gov, the homepage of Georgia state government. (The blog section no longer exists on georgia.gov, so I have re-hosted the work here.)
Prepare Now to Vote in November – (blog post): This informational post originally appeared on georgia.gov, the homepage of Georgia state government. (The blog section no longer exists on georgia.gov, so I have re-hosted the work here.)
Remembering Zell Miller – (blog post): This tribute to former Georgia Governor Zell Miller originally appeared on georgia.gov, the homepage of Georgia state government. (The blog section no longer exists on georgia.gov, so I have re-hosted the work here.)

THE SAD STUFF: Obituaries

Deborah Anne Aziz, 1969-2021 – When my friend Deb died, her partner asked me to write her obituary.
Norman L. Sullivan, 1942-2020 – When my father-in-law died, I was called upon by the family to write about his life.
Pete Wheeler, 1922-2015 – When Georgia’s longest serving public employee died, I was serving as his Director of Public Information. Apart from official announcements, the family asked that I also write his obituary.

SAMPLING OF DESIGN: The Government Days

Commemorative Veterans Bulletin – When I worked for the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, one of my early responsibilities was the layout and design of the Georgia Veterans Bulletin. This print publication was eventually folded due to budget cuts, but upon the death of Commissioner Pete Wheeler, I successfully pitched the idea of one more issue, to honor Georgia’s longest serving public employee.
The State of Georgia’s Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan Monument – I was responsible for creating the appearance of the face of the monument, including placement of all elements and selection of quotations. The overall look — a bronze plate set on Georgia granite — was selected to match existing war memorials in the Pete Wheeler Georgia War Veterans Memorial Plaza. The design was reviewed and approved by GDVS Commissioner Pete Wheeler and Governor Nathan Deal and was unveiled on Memorial Day 2015.
2014 GDVS Calendar – During my time at the Georgia Department of Veterans Service I implemented the creation of an informational calendar. This proved to be one of the department’s most popular marketing items.

SAMPLING OF DESIGN: Freelance

Catalyst, April 2017 issue – From September 2009 to April 2017 I served as the designer of Catalyst, the quarterly newsletter of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work.

SAMPLING OF EMPLOYERS: Copywriting