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Chris Cogley has spent more than two decades working as an award-winning journalist, a freelance writer, and a contributing editor for a wide range of national and regional publications. His true passion is screenwriting, and his main focus is breaking into the film industry. He is the author of the book, Utah’s Greatest Wonders, for which he did extensive research on the history, geology, and ecology of each of Utah’s five National Parks. As a fiction writer, he was twice accepted into the Juried Advanced Fiction Workshops at the Aspen Summer Words Writers Retreat where he studied with acclaimed authors such as David Wroblewski, Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea, and National Book Award winner Colum McCann. His first screenplay, SAND CREEK, was a Semifinalist in the 2025 Roadmap Writers Top-Tier competition and advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Austin Film Festival Feature Competition. It was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship competition, reached the Second Round of the 2024 Launch Pad Feature Film contest, and was a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 and 2024 PAGE Awards.…Chris Cogley has spent more than two decades working as an award-winning journalist, a freelance writer, and a contributing editor for a wide range of national and regional publications. His true passion is screenwriting, and his main focus is breaking into the film industry. He is the author of the book, Utah’s Greatest Wonders, for which he did extensive research on the history, geology, and ecology of each of Utah’s five National Parks. As a fiction writer, he was twice accepted into the Juried Advanced Fiction Workshops at the Aspen Summer Words Writers Retreat where he studied with acclaimed authors such as David Wroblewski, Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea, and National Book Award winner Colum McCann. His first screenplay, SAND CREEK, was a Semifinalist in the 2025 Roadmap Writers Top-Tier competition and advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Austin Film Festival Feature Competition. It was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship competition, reached the Second Round of the 2024 Launch Pad Feature Film contest, and was a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 and 2024 PAGE Awards.

Christopher E. Cogley

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Chris Cogley has spent more than two decades working as an award-winning journalist, a freelance writer, and a contributing editor for a wide range of national and regional publications. His true passion is screenwriting, and his main focus is breaking into the film industry. He is the author of the book, Utah’s Greatest Wonders, for which he did extensive research on the history, geology, and ecology of each of Utah’s five National Parks. As a fiction writer, he was twice accepted into the Juried Advanced Fiction Workshops at the Aspen Summer Words Writers Retreat where he studied with acclaimed authors such as David Wroblewski, Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea, and National Book Award winner Colum McCann. His first screenplay, SAND CREEK, was a Semifinalist in the 2025 Roadmap Writers Top-Tier competition and advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Austin Film Festival Feature Competition. It was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship competition, reached the Second Round of the 2024 Launch Pad Feature Film contest, and was a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 and 2024 PAGE Awards.…Chris Cogley has spent more than two decades working as an award-winning journalist, a freelance writer, and a contributing editor for a wide range of national and regional publications. His true passion is screenwriting, and his main focus is breaking into the film industry. He is the author of the book, Utah’s Greatest Wonders, for which he did extensive research on the history, geology, and ecology of each of Utah’s five National Parks. As a fiction writer, he was twice accepted into the Juried Advanced Fiction Workshops at the Aspen Summer Words Writers Retreat where he studied with acclaimed authors such as David Wroblewski, Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea, and National Book Award winner Colum McCann. His first screenplay, SAND CREEK, was a Semifinalist in the 2025 Roadmap Writers Top-Tier competition and advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Austin Film Festival Feature Competition. It was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship competition, reached the Second Round of the 2024 Launch Pad Feature Film contest, and was a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 and 2024 PAGE Awards.

Available to hire

Chris Cogley has spent more than two decades working as an award-winning journalist, a freelance writer, and a contributing editor for a wide range of national and regional publications. His true passion is screenwriting, and his main focus is breaking into the film industry.

He is the author of the book, Utah’s Greatest Wonders, for which he did extensive research on the history, geology, and ecology of each of Utah’s five National Parks. As a fiction writer, he was twice accepted into the Juried Advanced Fiction Workshops at the Aspen Summer Words Writers Retreat where he studied with acclaimed authors such as David Wroblewski, Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto Urrea, and National Book Award winner Colum McCann.

His first screenplay, SAND CREEK, was a Semifinalist in the 2025 Roadmap Writers Top-Tier competition and advanced to the Second Round of the 2024 Austin Film Festival Feature Competition. It was also a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 Academy Nicholl Fellowship competition, reached the Second Round of the 2024 Launch Pad Feature Film contest, and was a Quarterfinalist in the 2023 and 2024 PAGE Awards.

Skills

Copywriting

Brand Identity

Experience Level

Copywriting

Expert

Brand Identity

Expert

Work Experience

Communications Manager at Zak Designs, Inc.

January 1, 2004 - Present

Built and led Zak Designs' corporate communications and public relations function from inception. Launched the first in-house department, developed annual strategic media plans aligned to growth goals, and expanded global press coverage. Served as corporate spokesperson at trade shows and media events; cultivated long-term media relationships; established the company’s initial social media presence and evolving digital strategy. Led influencer and UGC outreach; drafted executive statements, crisis messaging, and legally sensitive communications; acted as senior editor and brand voice gatekeeper across all company communications. Demonstrated effective remote leadership for 20+ years.

Freelance Writer, Editor & Author at Self-Employed

January 1, 1998 - Present

Strategic content creator serving publications, tourism boards, outdoor brands, and nonprofit organizations. Contributing Editor for a major trade publication for 18+ years; produced long-form features, profiles, conservation journalism, and advertorial content. Translated complex ecological topics into accessible public narratives; conducted research and provided editorial support for Utah’s Greatest Wonders; delivered brand storytelling and destination marketing content for outdoor and tourism organizations.

Staff Reporter at Douglas County News - Press

January 1, 2001 - December 31, 2004

Covered athletics, wildlife, outdoor issues, entertainment, and community features. Earned 5 Colorado Press Association awards; maintained 100% reporting accuracy with no corrections; produced and edited late-breaking stories under tight deadlines; assisted with page layout and production to reduce editorial overtime costs.