JANET SPENCER, TRIVIA QUEEN
Royal Ruler of Useless Information
Master of Arcane Knowledge and Extraneous Lore
Keeper of Forgotten Facts & Startling Statistics
212 7TH AV. • HELENA, MT 59601
PHONE 406-465-3648 • E-MAIL [email protected]
www.TriviaQueen.com
SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE
1987 – present Helena, Mt Trivia Writer
Have consistently earned a living writing trivia in various formats for various publications, gaining decades of experience in research, writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing.
EDUCATION
High School Graduated 1978 Charleston High School Charleston, Il
3.5 grade point average
1978 – 1980 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Il
Journalism major
Two years of classes in journalism, creative writing, and research. No degree.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1987 –- Present “Tidbits” Helena, MT * Montgomery, AL
author, publisher, designer
Wrote and published a weekly paper dedicated to trivia, facts, and fun. Sold the rights to the publication in 1993 to Steele Media of Billings, Montana, who franchised the paper to around 80 towns across the U.S. while I continued to do the writing. See www.TidbitsMedia.com
1995 “Tidbits Treasury of Trivia” Helena, MT
author, self-publisher
Wrote and published a 150-page book of trivia entitled “Tidbits Treasury of Trivia and Compendium of Miscellany: Odd and Unusual, Amazing and Amusing Facts, Stories, and Statistics”. Marketed the books through the “Tidbits” franchises. Sold out the entire press run of 2,000 copies in less than a year.
1997 – 2003 “Trivia Time” Billings, MT
writer
Wrote 2,000 words per week of trivia on various topics for a direct-mail free publication supported by advertising, distributed in a dozen towns in the U.S.
1989 “Montana Nuggets” Missoula, MT
columnist
Wrote a daily historical column for the “Missoulian” newspaper, bringing obscure bits of Montana history to light to honor Montana’s centennial year. Light-hearted and humorous, the column was very popular but ended when the Centennial year came to a close. Later the material was produced as a daily radio spot on KMTX in Helena.
1999 – 2001 “Montana Magazine” Helena, MT
columnist
Wrote regular articles of Montana trivia for this prestigious coffee-table magazine with wide national circulation. Usually wrote one column of random Montana Trivia as well as an additional column of trivia relating to the topic of the month.
2001 – 2003 “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader” Ashland, OR
staff writer
Researched specific assignments for the annual edition of “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader” published by the Bathroom Reader’s Institute. See their website at www.bathroomreader.com. Much of my work appeared in their 14th edition released in 2001 entitled “The Supremely Satisfying Bathroom Reader”; the “Kid’s Bathroom Reader” released in September of 2002; and the “Aaaahhh-Inspiring Bathroom Reader” released in November of 2003.
2001 “Montana Trivia” Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, TN
research and writing
Wrote a book of Montana trivia for Rutledge Hill Press, which published 35 books of trivia for individual states in the US. The book consists of 1,300 questions and answers in the style of the game Trivia Pursuit, all relating to the state of Montana. It hit bookstores in the summer of 2002. When Rutledge Hill Press was acquired by Thomas Nelson, the rights to the book were sold to Riverbend Publishing of Helena, Mt., where it was republished in 2005. It sold over 6,000 copies in the first six months, and has since topped 30,000 copies sold. See www.Riverbendpublishing.com
2006 “Yellowstone Trivia” Helena, MT
research and writing
Wrote a book called “Yellowstone Trivia” about America’s first national park, published by Riverbend Publishing in 2006. It has sold over 25,000 copies since its release. This book spawned an entire string of national park trivia books subsequently produced by Riverbend Publishing.
2008 “Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase” Helena, MT
research and writing, publicity
Teamed up with a career stewardess with a popular podcast called “Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase” in order to produce a book of airline anecdotes, trivia, cartoons, and jokes designed to be sold in airport gift shops. I was successful at getting wonderful media coverage, including mentions in “USA Today” “The New Yorker” “Wall Street Journal” “Reader’s Digest” and many other outlets. See www.BettyInTheSky.com and click on “Betty’s Press Room”.
2005 – 2018 Riverbend Publishing Helena, MT
Author, sales rep, editor, marketing and publicity
When my first book, “Montana Trivia” was re-published by Riverbend Publishing, I worked diligently as an author to do my own publicity. As a result, the first press run sold out in four months; the second press run sold out in four weeks; and the third press run sold out in four hours, just before Christmas. After that, I was hired to do publicity, marketing, and sales for Riverbend Publishing, and remained there from 2005 until 2018. I kept in touch with vendors, worked to set up new outlets, performed all attendant “roll-out” duties when a new book was released, and arranged publicity for all new Riverbend books. I also performed editorial duties and proofreading on manuscripts, as well as posting new books online as ebooks in Kindle and other e-formats.
2011-2012 Game Closure Silicon Valley, CA
Content provider for Android App
Game Closure is a Silicon Valley app developer, producing a number of games for Android phones and tablet computers. I provided over 500 clues for a word trivia game called “Word Train” in which players must use cryptic clues to line up the scrambled letters in order to find the answer to the trivia question. The app is free and available for download at Google Play and other app outlets.
2014 KMTX Radio Helena, MT
Radio content provider
I provided the facts and the voice behind a radio program called "The Montana Trivia Minute." Lasting sixty seconds, the show aired daily (Monday – Friday) during drive time and was popular with a variety of sponsors because it showcases little known facts and facets of Montana life. The program ended in 2015 when the radio station was sold.
1987 – present Helena, Mt Trivia Writer
Have consistently earned a living writing trivia in various formats for various publications, gaining decades of experience in research, writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing.
EDUCATION
High School Graduated 1978 Charleston High School Charleston, Il
3.5 grade point average
1978 – 1980 Eastern Illinois University Charleston, Il
Journalism major
Two years of classes in journalism, creative writing, and research. No degree.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
1987 –- Present “Tidbits” Helena, MT * Montgomery, AL
author, publisher, designer
Wrote and published a weekly paper dedicated to trivia, facts, and fun. Sold the rights to the publication in 1993 to Steele Media of Billings, Montana, who franchised the paper to around 80 towns across the U.S. while I continued to do the writing. See www.TidbitsMedia.com
1995 “Tidbits Treasury of Trivia” Helena, MT
author, self-publisher
Wrote and published a 150-page book of trivia entitled “Tidbits Treasury of Trivia and Compendium of Miscellany: Odd and Unusual, Amazing and Amusing Facts, Stories, and Statistics”. Marketed the books through the “Tidbits” franchises. Sold out the entire press run of 2,000 copies in less than a year.
1997 – 2003 “Trivia Time” Billings, MT
writer
Wrote 2,000 words per week of trivia on various topics for a direct-mail free publication supported by advertising, distributed in a dozen towns in the U.S.
1989 “Montana Nuggets” Missoula, MT
columnist
Wrote a daily historical column for the “Missoulian” newspaper, bringing obscure bits of Montana history to light to honor Montana’s centennial year. Light-hearted and humorous, the column was very popular but ended when the Centennial year came to a close. Later the material was produced as a daily radio spot on KMTX in Helena.
1999 – 2001 “Montana Magazine” Helena, MT
columnist
Wrote regular articles of Montana trivia for this prestigious coffee-table magazine with wide national circulation. Usually wrote one column of random Montana Trivia as well as an additional column of trivia relating to the topic of the month.
2001 – 2003 “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader” Ashland, OR
staff writer
Researched specific assignments for the annual edition of “Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader” published by the Bathroom Reader’s Institute. See their website at www.bathroomreader.com. Much of my work appeared in their 14th edition released in 2001 entitled “The Supremely Satisfying Bathroom Reader”; the “Kid’s Bathroom Reader” released in September of 2002; and the “Aaaahhh-Inspiring Bathroom Reader” released in November of 2003.
2001 “Montana Trivia” Rutledge Hill Press, Nashville, TN
research and writing
Wrote a book of Montana trivia for Rutledge Hill Press, which published 35 books of trivia for individual states in the US. The book consists of 1,300 questions and answers in the style of the game Trivia Pursuit, all relating to the state of Montana. It hit bookstores in the summer of 2002. When Rutledge Hill Press was acquired by Thomas Nelson, the rights to the book were sold to Riverbend Publishing of Helena, Mt., where it was republished in 2005. It sold over 6,000 copies in the first six months, and has since topped 30,000 copies sold. See www.Riverbendpublishing.com
2006 “Yellowstone Trivia” Helena, MT
research and writing
Wrote a book called “Yellowstone Trivia” about America’s first national park, published by Riverbend Publishing in 2006. It has sold over 25,000 copies since its release. This book spawned an entire string of national park trivia books subsequently produced by Riverbend Publishing.
2008 “Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase” Helena, MT
research and writing, publicity
Teamed up with a career stewardess with a popular podcast called “Betty in the Sky with a Suitcase” in order to produce a book of airline anecdotes, trivia, cartoons, and jokes designed to be sold in airport gift shops. I was successful at getting wonderful media coverage, including mentions in “USA Today” “The New Yorker” “Wall Street Journal” “Reader’s Digest” and many other outlets. See www.BettyInTheSky.com and click on “Betty’s Press Room”.
2005 – 2018 Riverbend Publishing Helena, MT
Author, sales rep, editor, marketing and publicity
When my first book, “Montana Trivia” was re-published by Riverbend Publishing, I worked diligently as an author to do my own publicity. As a result, the first press run sold out in four months; the second press run sold out in four weeks; and the third press run sold out in four hours, just before Christmas. After that, I was hired to do publicity, marketing, and sales for Riverbend Publishing, and remained there from 2005 until 2018. I kept in touch with vendors, worked to set up new outlets, performed all attendant “roll-out” duties when a new book was released, and arranged publicity for all new Riverbend books. I also performed editorial duties and proofreading on manuscripts, as well as posting new books online as ebooks in Kindle and other e-formats.
2011-2012 Game Closure Silicon Valley, CA
Content provider for Android App
Game Closure is a Silicon Valley app developer, producing a number of games for Android phones and tablet computers. I provided over 500 clues for a word trivia game called “Word Train” in which players must use cryptic clues to line up the scrambled letters in order to find the answer to the trivia question. The app is free and available for download at Google Play and other app outlets.
2014 KMTX Radio Helena, MT
Radio content provider
I provided the facts and the voice behind a radio program called "The Montana Trivia Minute." Lasting sixty seconds, the show aired daily (Monday – Friday) during drive time and was popular with a variety of sponsors because it showcases little known facts and facets of Montana life. The program ended in 2015 when the radio station was sold.
