Tony Simmons

Tony Simmons is a veteran journalist, having worked for The Tri-City Ledger, The Pensacola News-Journal, The Nautilog, and for the past 16 years at The News Herald in Panama City, Florida. He has covered government, public safety, health, entertainment, education and more, and has served at various times as a section editor, assistant managing editor and online content editor. He has received writing and reporting awards from the Florida Press Club, Florida Society of Newspaper Editors, Florida School Boards Association, Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of News Design, and more.

Tony is the author of the literary novel "Welcome to the Dawning of a New Century" (Pottersville Press, 2004). He has edited the two-volume "City Limits" anthology for the Panama City Centennial Committee, and has had numerous short stories in regional and national anthologies, including "North Florida Noir" and "Writers Cafe."

His interest in science fiction and fantasy entertainment has led to interviews with actors including Mark Lenard, Adrian Paul, Denise Crosby, Peter Jurasik, Gigi Edgley, and many more. His interest in literature has led him to interview writers as diverse as Tim Dorsey, River Jordan, Michael Lister, Michael Morris, and Silas House. He regularly previews genre series such as Battlestar Galactica, Warehouse 13 and Stargate, and he reviews comics when one breaks new ground.

In 2009, he received a special recognition from the Gulf Coast Writers Conference for his years of support and activity in the area of arts and letters. In its 10-year history, the Conference has awarded the "Wally" only twice.