Julie Strauss Bettinger

A native of Tallahassee, Florida, Julie Strauss Bettinger received her Bachelor's degree in Communications (1983) and her Master's in Creative Writing (2009) from Florida State University.

After college, Julie started freelance writing in South Florida and continued during moves to Chesapeake, Virginia and Holland Township, New Jersey.  In 1990, Julie and her husband Jim returned to Tallahassee where she freelanced for: Florida Trend, Florida Small Business, FSU's Research In Review, the Florida State Law Magazine and The Florida Catholic. She authored a weekly business column for the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper for two years, served as editor of Tallahassee and Emerald Coast magazines three years and editor of two Florida Sheriffs Association publications – The Sheriff's Star and All Points Bulletin – for 15 years.

Julie co-authored The Book of Bowden (2001) and two coffee-table books about Tallahassee and is currently contracted to write a book on the History of the Florida Sheriffs. She also is at work developing content for the Florida Sheriffs Association’s website and collaborating with writer Heidi T. King on a movie screenplay while pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Nonfiction at Baltimore's Goucher College. Her writing has concentrated on Florida history, real estate, business, law enforcement and an array of narrative nonfiction topics.

In 1994, Julie received a first place writing award from the Florida Freelance Writers Association and was inducted into the Lincoln High School Hall of Fame in 1999.

Julie served as a Community Board member for Premier Bank three years and is an active facilitator and intercessor for Theophostic Prayer Ministry and Inner Healing Prayer.  She is a member of Biographers International Organization (BIO), Tallahassee Writers Association, the National Sheriffs' Association, Florida Sheriffs Association and the Gulf Winds Track Club. A lifelong athlete, Julie enjoys running and P90X training.

Julie and Jim recently celebrated their 28th wedding anniversary and together are long time supporters of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches and Boys Town of North Florida.