JEFF GAUGER, the 30-Second Read editor, worked for enough newspapers over 36 years that reasonable people may think he’s a bum who can’t keep a job. In truth, the only job he couldn’t keep was his last, for a big chain that eliminated him in the Great Newspaper Cataclysm. He now teaches journalism at Louisiana State University. At his last newspaper, he wrote a daily column called “30-Second Read.” Against all merit, and to his surprise as much as anyone’s, it proved more popular than anything else he’d done in newspapers. So of course he created this website to continue afflicting readers.

Email: editor@30secondread.com

EMILY TOTH wrote her prize-winning dissertation (Johns Hopkins University) on Kate Chopin, and has since spent a lifetime rediscovering, teaching and celebrating women writers. She has taught such courses as “Strong Women in Literature: Tough Cookies,” “Food Writing” and “Women’s Secrets.” Her 11 published books include biographies of Chopin and Grace Metalious; a Civil War novel; and advice books for academics under the persona of “Ms. Mentor.” She is a professor at Louisiana State University, an online columnist and a speaker about women’s lives, humor, gossip and imagination.

Email: emilytoth@rocketmail.com