I'm a freelance writer and photographer focusing on arts, music, culture, and all sorts of other topics. Follow me on Twitter @ryanmsmithplens, and on Instagram @ryan.smith.pens.lens. I currently contribute the bulk of my local freelance work to the Erie (Pa.) Reader (www.eriereader.com), the region's premier alternative, independent news source, but have also worked with Pittsburgh City Paper and a variety of other publications.Between 2014 and early 2020, I took on the role of head manager/lead cook and social media manager at Flip Cafe in Edinboro, where I was in charge of leading a wide variety of culinary and day-to-day operations, along with facilitating its growing social media presence and serving as one of the primary faces of the business. Having been involved there nearly from its start, I’m proud of my contributions in establishing and maintaining what has become one of northwestern Pennsylvania's most popular independent restaurants.I previously spent nearly nine years as a beat reporter in the Meadville (Pa.) Tribune's newsroom, covering everything from pet parades to murder trials, and thousands of stories on everything in between.My other work experience includes (but isn't limited to) plenty of short-order cooking; short-order term paper-writing; painting signs, classrooms, houses and other stuff; and hand-delivering my hometown's daily rag for years as a kid.I live in Edinboro, Pa. with my wife and children, who teach me everything I ever really need to know.