Emmy Award-winning political journalist Jessica Yellin, former Chief White House Correspondent for CNN, makes her debut as a novelist with SAVAGE NEWS (Mira Books). As a smart, feisty and serious-minded female reporter jockeys for recognition in a world of rapid news cycles, short attention spans, and manufactured news, she encounters cut-throat competitors and predators at every turn. Can she hold onto her journalistic ethics and still triumph in a landscape that has become one giant reality show?
Natalie Savage has transferred to Washington, D.C. on temporary assignment as White House correspondent for the news network ATN. It is a dream gig for a political journalist who has worked the trenches for more than a decade, and Natalie wants the job permanently. She knows from the start it will be tough, but she has no idea the kinds of ridiculous hoops she will be made to jump through to prove herself worthy. ATN has a new CEO determined to get profits up, and if that means sacrificing solid journalism for mob-pleasing hyper-news, well, serious journalists such as Natalie just need to suck it up. But can she?
Getting the White House assignment means open competition with Ryan McGreavy, a twenty-six-year-old frat boy with political connections and supercilious charm, but no experience. When the network decides to publicly pit Natalie and Ryan against each other to see who can win the affections of viewers, Natalie soon discovers she is the underdog. Even her bureau chief seems to be plotting against her to win Ryan the job. Natalie swallows her pride, enduring sharp and hurtful criticism and suffering through a pricy (and potentially hazardous to her health) makeover to win favor. But sacrificing her hard-earned pride in being a good journalist is harder to accept.
When diplomatic events involving a visiting Colombian leader and his rape-accused playboy son erupt at the White House, Natalie loses the plumb assignment to Ryan. But they can’t place this simmering newswoman on the back burner for long. Soon, an unexpected connection to FLOTUS gives Natalie the leg-up she needs to prove herself and conquer the powers that are doing their best to keep her down.