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Bill Minutaglio

Asked by his boss to step onto the roof of the Abilene Reporter-News building on his first day with the paper, Bill Minutaglio worried he might be about to learn the paper's initiation ritual. Instead, he learned one of his new mundane daily assignments, to empty the rain gauge and write the daily weather report. It may not have been the most auspicious beginning for the newly transplanted New Yorker, but it didn't deter him from successfully pursuing a career as a writer.

Bill Minutaglio may not have been born in Texas, but he has made it his home. From his beginning as a staff writer for the Abilene Reporter-News covering such commonplace local events as the Fourth of July parade, Minutaglio has gone on to work for a variety of newspapers and to author two books. Over the years he has written for many of the major newspapers in the state, including the San Antonio Express-News, the Dallas Morning News, and the Houston Chronicle. In his current job as an Austin-based domestic bureau chief for People Magazine, Minutaglio has continued to champion the great untold stories.

Minutaglio's start at the Abilene Reporter-News helped prepare him for the juggling act that he faced as a writer. Minutaglio said he "did everything" while at the Abilene Reporter-News, including covering the police report, copy editing, and taking photos. It seems to have prepared him well. Minutaglio calls himself "eternally curious" and over the years has covered music, politics, sports, and human-interest stories.

Minutaglio's wide range of experience offers some unique insight into the work life of a writer. In his recent talk at St. Edward's University, Minutaglio's stories were ripe with useful wisdom for aspiring writers. When asked about choosing stories, Minutaglio said "The stories you'll be most proud of are the ones you really believe in."

Minutaglio told of an inspiring story he had recently helped shepherd into the mostly pop culture People Magazine on a teacher named Frank Guajardo. Guajardo runs a program in the south Texas town of Elsa to help provide top educational opportunities for the children of migrant farm workers and other under-served youth in the area. After the piece appeared, Guajardo was recognized with an award from People Magazine in a ceremony in New York City. Minutaglio is plainly proud of the part he played in helping to get national recognition for Guajardo.

It is clear from talking with Minutaglio that he enjoys the work that he does. Speaking about journalism, Minutaglio says "It's the best line of work." In his talk at St. Edward's, Minutaglio spoke of the access that journalists are able to get to otherwise off-limits events and personalities, to "get behind the yellow police tape of life." In addition to meeting George W. Bush in the course of preparing his book, Minutaglio has had an opportunity to meet many of his idols, including musicians Ray Charles and Bobby 'Blue' Bland.

Minutaglio is probably best known for his two recent books, which cover widely different Texas stories. Initially released just after the controversial 2000 presidential election, First Son: George W. Bush and the Bush Family Dynasty details the background of one of the most prominent Texas figures today, U.S. President George W. Bush. Minutaglio's book was published at an opportune time when controversy surrounding Bush's election brought the author significant media attention. In connection with the book, Minutaglio has appeared on the Today Show, CNN, and National Public Radio. He still receives requests for interviews on the subject of President Bush from media outlets as far away as Germany. Despite the renown that the book has brought him, Minutaglio nevertheless seems disappointed by his ostensibly lofty subject. Speaking about Bush's personal character, Minutaglio said "I wish I'd devoted myself to a guy who had more poetry."

In contrast, City on Fire: The Forgotten Disaster That Devastated a Town and Ignited a Landmark Legal Battle tells the little known story of a disastrous 1947 fire and explosion in the port of Texas City, Texas. Minutaglio became interested in the subject after taking a fishing trip to the area in 1980. He spent the next 20 years researching and developing the book. City On Fire has even attracted the interest of Hollywood and the film rights were recently purchased by Tom Cruise and his production company, Cruise/Wagner.

Ultimately, it is not the recognition gained from the publication of Minutaglio's books that fuels his spirit, but his love for music and for his two children, a ten year-old daughter and six year-old son. Bill Minutaglio has come a long way since his days of emptying the rain gauge at the Abilene Reporter-News and showed himself to be eager and willing to share the lessons learned with the next generation of up-and-coming writers.