Sabrina Rubin Erdely: Award-winning freelance magazine journalist

Sabrina Rubin Erdely is an award-winning feature writer and investigative journalist. She's a Contributing Editor at Rolling Stone, a Contributing Editor at SELF, and a Writer-at-Large at Philadelphia; her work has appeared in GQ, The New Yorker, Mother Jones, Glamour, Men's Health and Readers Digest, among other publications, and has been anthologized twice in Best American Crime Reporting. Erdely's feature writing and reporting have earned her a number of prestigious awards, including a National Magazine Award nomination.

As a University of Pennsylvania undergraduate, Erdely discovered her passion for magazine writing while working at 34th Street, the magazine of the student-run Daily Pennsylvanian. She soon dropped her pre-med studies, graduated in 1994 with a degree in English, and was immediately hired as a staff writer at Philadelphia. Since then Erdely has covered a wide array of fascinating subjects, including a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde; the life lessons she learned from a con man; and the disturbing case of a serial date-rapist, whose trial revealed shocking truths about the criminal justice system.

For the sake of her articles, Erdely has trekked through Tibet, watched an autopsy, joined a religious cult, visited maximum-security prisons, and once tried out to be a Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader. Erdely has also taught magazine writing courses at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, daughter and son.

Awards

The Association for Health Care Journalists Award, 2008

Excellence in Health Care Journalism, second place, for "Is Your Doctor Playing Judge?" SELF, February 2007

The National Institute for Health Care Management Foundation, 2008

Journalism and Research Award, finalist, for "Is Your Doctor Playing Judge?" SELF, February 2007

The Maggie Award, presented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 2005

Media Award, for "Yes, You Can Save Women's Lives," Glamour, February 2004

National City and Regional Magazine Association Award, 2004

Writer of the Year, third place, for 2003 body of work

Clarion Award, presented by the Association for Women in Communications, 2004

Best Magazine Feature Story, for "Who is the Boy in the Box?" Philadelphia, November 2003

Society of Professional Journalists Award, Greater Philadelphia chapter, 2004

Best Magazine Story, third place, for "Who is the Boy in the Box?" Philadelphia, November 2003

National City and Regional Magazine Association Award, 2001

Best Reporting in a Magazine Story, first place, for "The Crash," Philadelphia, May 2000

Clarion Award, presented by the Association for Women in Communications, 2001

Best Special Section or Series, for "How Connie Got Her Body Back," Philadelphia, May 2000

Clarion Award, presented by the Association for Women in Communications, 2000

Best Magazine Feature Story, for "I'll Be Damned," Philadelphia, June 1999

National City and Regional Magazine Association Award, 2000

Best Magazine Feature Story, second place, for "I'll Be Damned," Philadelphia, June 1999

National City and Regional Magazine Association Award, 1999

Writer of the Year, third place, for 1998 body of work

Clarion Award, presented by the Association for Women in Communications, 1998

Best Magazine Feature Story, for "Generation Rx," Philadelphia, December 1997

Society of Professional Journalists Award, Greater Philadelphia chapter, 1998

Best Magazine Story, second place, for "Generation Rx," Philadelphia, December 1997

The National Magazine Award, presented by the American Society of Magazine Editors, 1997

Finalist in Public Service category, for "Intimate Intimidation," Philadelphia, April 1996

National City and Regional Magazine Association Award, 1997

Innovation Award, third place, for "Intimate Intimidation," Philadelphia, April 1996

Clarion Award, presented by the Association for Women in Communications, 1997

Best Magazine Feature Story, for "Intimate Intimidation," Philadelphia, April 1996

Society of Professional Journalists Award, Greater Philadelphia chapter, 1997

Best Magazine Story, first place, for "Intimate Intimidation," Philadelphia, April 1996

Rolling Stone College Journalism Competition, 1993

First place winner in Entertainment category, for "Nothing's Shocking," 34th Street magazine