Sally Denton is an investigative reporter, author, and historian who writes about the subjects others ignore--from a drug conspiracy in Kentucky to organized crime in Las Vegas; from corruption within the Mormon Church to the hidden history of Manifest Destiny; from one of America's bitterest political campaigns to the powerful forces against Franklin D. Roosevelt.  She has an extensive background in print and broadcast, as well as magazine and book writing.

"...Denton could hold a conference all her own and discuss how to take heat and still survive in a hostile climate. She is the television reporter who took on the Kentucky power structure." Las Vegas Sun, 1983.

 

AWARDS AND HONORS

Robert Laxalt Distinguished Writer Award.  2017.

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) "Best Investigative Book of 2016."  The Profiteers.

Kirkus "Best Nonfiction Books of 2016."  The Profiteers.

Financial Times & McKinsey "Best Business Book of 2016," Longlist.  The Profiteers.

New York Times "Editors' Choice," March 2016.  The Profiteers.

BMI-Kluge Fellowship, 2013

Woodrow Wilson Public Scholar Fellowship, 2010.

Hoover Media Fellowship, Stanford University, 2009.

Hoover Media Fellowship, Stanford University, 2008.

Guggenheim Fellowship, 2006.

Nevada Writers’ Hall of Fame, 2008.

New York Times “Editors’ Choice,” July 2007. Passion and Principle

New York Times “Notable Book” of 2003.  American Massacre

Western Heritage Wrangler Award, 2003.  American Massacre

Nevada Silver Pen Award, 2003.

New York Times “Notable Book” of 2001.  The Money and the Power

Western Heritage Wrangler Award, 2001.  “The Truth at Mountain Meadows.” American Heritage Magazine. November 2001.

Lannan Foundation Literary Grant, 2000.

First Place “Investigative Reporting.” Kentucky AP Broadcasters, 1982.

First Place, “Investigative Reporting, New Mexico AP Award, 1978.

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Author of nine non-fiction books from 1989 to 2022 published by Liveright, Alfred A. Knopf, Bloomsbury, Doubleday, Vintage, Avon, University of Nebraska Press, and Simon and Schuster.

Director of Literary Nonfiction.  Beverly Rogers, Carol C. Harter Black Mountain Institute.  University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Adjunct Professor of Documentary Studies and History. University of New Mexico and College of Santa Fe.

Goldstein and Denton.  Washington, DC private investigations firm.  1984-1990.

United Press International investigative reporting team, Washington, D.C.  1983-1984.

WKYT Television, Lexington, Kentucky.  Investigative reporter.  1980-1983.

Jack Anderson Washington Merry-Go-Round, nationally syndicated column.  Investigative reporter.  1978-1980.

Rio Grande Sun.  Espanola, New Mexico.  Reporter.  1976-1978.

Boulder City News.  Boulder City, Nevada.  Reporter.  1975-1976.

 

PERSONAL

Third generation Nevadan, born in Elko.  Mother of three sons and one stepdaughter.  Married to Nevada journalist and author, John L. Smith.  On the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee of Nevada Humanities. She divides her time between Boulder City, Nevada and Santa Fe, New Mexico.