Journalist Holly Kays joins Smokies Life
Apr 02, 2024 05:47PM ● By WNC Business
GATLINBURG, TN — Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association, is pleased to announce that Holly Kays has joined the creative team as its lead writer. Formerly a journalist with The Smoky Mountain News, Kays has earned 62 state and national awards over the course of her news reporting career.
Originally from Maryland, Kays is a graduate of Virginia Tech's creative writing and natural resources conservation programs. After graduation, she moved to Idaho and then Wyoming to begin her journalism career. In 2014, she returned to the Appalachians, where she spent 10 years as the outdoors editor and staff writer for The Smoky Mountain News in Waynesville.
“I’m excited for a new adventure as lead writer for Smokies Life, a job that will allow me to continue doing two of my favorite things — exploring and writing about the natural world,” said Kays. “I’ll be working on a variety of projects and publications, and I look forward to learning more about the myriad ways in which this 71-year-old organization supports America’s most-visited national park.”
Since 1957, Smokies Life has maintained a vibrant publications program in service of its mission to support the perpetual preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by promoting greater public interest and appreciation through education, interpretation, and research. Today, the organization’s boutique publishing house produces two to three books a year and maintains more than 100 publications in print, including books, pamphlets, guides and maps. Smokies Life also publishes the park’s complimentary quarterly newspaper, Smokies Guide, as well as the biannual Smokies Life Journal. Kays’ new role on the Creative Services team will include planning, reporting, writing, and editing feature articles for these and other publications, both in print and online.
About Smokies Life:
Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the scientific, historical and interpretive activities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by providing educational products and services to park visitors.
Source: Smokies Life
Since 1957, Smokies Life has maintained a vibrant publications program in service of its mission to support the perpetual preservation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by promoting greater public interest and appreciation through education, interpretation, and research. Today, the organization’s boutique publishing house produces two to three books a year and maintains more than 100 publications in print, including books, pamphlets, guides and maps. Smokies Life also publishes the park’s complimentary quarterly newspaper, Smokies Guide, as well as the biannual Smokies Life Journal. Kays’ new role on the Creative Services team will include planning, reporting, writing, and editing feature articles for these and other publications, both in print and online.
About Smokies Life:
Smokies Life, formerly Great Smoky Mountains Association, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the scientific, historical and interpretive activities of Great Smoky Mountains National Park by providing educational products and services to park visitors.
Source: Smokies Life