Dan Leger is an award-winning journalist, writer and consultant based in Halifax. His book, Duffy: Stardom to Senate to Scandal was released this March. Follow him on Twitter @Dantheeditor.
+1 What do you read to keep current on the latest trends and news?
I subscribe online to the Globe and Mail and to the Halifax Chronicle Herald, where I am a weekly op-ed columnist. I use a Google aggregator tailored to my interests, particularly as they relate to my recent book on Mike Duffy and the Senate expense scandal. I use National Newswatch as a fast aggregator for Canadian political news, Bloomberg for global financial news and the BBC’s excellent website for European and other foreign news. A favourite non-news site is Arts and Letters Daily, which has links to book reviews, new academic papers and analytical essays.
+2 If you could live in any city, where would it be and why?
I would have to call this a tie between London and New York. Both have amazing energy, both are crossroads cities for world culture and the arts and both are fascinating places to walk, eat, drink and think.
+3 What’s your “plan B” if you need to spontaneously switch careers?
I executed Plan B in 2012, when I retired from my job as director of news content (managing editor) of The Chronicle Herald. Since then I have enjoyed a new career as a freelance writer and consultant. I actually had the time to write my first book, Duffy: Stardom to Senate to Scandal, and more will follow.
+4 Most coveted superpower?
As the father of two daughters, I would love to be able to read minds. Then I wouldn’t be confused so often.
+5 Looking back, which moment in your career are you most proud of and why?
During 30-plus years in news, I transitioned from wire service, to television, to daily newspapers/websites and now to books. I’m grateful for those opportunities and proud (I guess that’s the right word) of having been able to tackle new challenges and learn new skills. They say you can’t teach an old dog a new trick. I’m living proof that’s not true.