Denise I. O'Neal
Chicago journalist and author Denise I. O'Neal' career began at Advertising Age magazine where she interviewed notable personalities both local and national such as John Sengstacke, the former editor and publisher of the Chicago Defender along with more colorful personalities such as Peanuts comic strip creator Charles M. Schultz.
During a career, which has spanned three decades at the Chicago Sun-Times, O'Neal was a long-time staff food writer, and wrote a popular collectibles column "Favorite Things," which ran in the paper's WeekEnd section for more than a decade.
As a Chicago Sun-Times staff writer O'Neal has interviewed an array of celebrities including Jane Seymour, Mary J. Blige, Marie Osmond, CeCe Winans, Shaquille O'Neal, Richard Simmons and Al Roker. In addition O'Neal has also interviewed local Chicago-born sports stars such as Keena Turner, who won four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers and former Chicago Bull Craig Hodges.
During the Beanie Babies craze O'Neal was commissioned to co-write, with Holly Stowe, her first book, For the Love of Beanie Babies (1998).
O'Neal first novel, On the Line, is a gritty look at the inside world and the city politics of the Chicago Fire Department (2003).
In 2013 O'Neal started Panache Publishing/Verve News Wire, an online endeavor specializing in trade newsletters. Under the Panache umbrella O'Neal also offers writing services to other companies as well as training for new writers. Former clients include Casual Living magazine and Barbecue America Magazine.
