The Beat Magazine 2025 is honoured to welcome Dawn Lyons as a volunteer writer. Dawn has an extensive journalism background and previously wrote for The Beat Magazine print edition (2009-2013). Dawn is ready to connect with those amazing artists across disciplines who continue to create, perform, and inspire, often without the recognition they truly deserve.
Name and Occupation
My name is Dawn Lyons. I currently work as a grant writer for nonprofits, after spending many years as a copywriter and freelance journalist.
Background and Experience
I started out as a copy editor in advertising, which somehow led to a career in copywriting for various types of businesses around the world. Over the years, I’ve also worked as a freelance journalist, contributing to publications such as Metro News, FIVE Magazine, The Middlesex Banner, London Community News, OurLondon.ca, and The Beat Magazine, with many front-page features. I’ve also published creative nonfiction in Thrive In Life magazine. Writing has always felt like a natural career path for me — I was in love with books before I even started school, and I was writing stories and poems as early as second grade.
Past Arts & Culture Writing Activities
Much of my freelance work focused on community news and events, but some of my most rewarding assignments came from profiling actors, directors, musicians, artists, and writers for The Beat Magazine’s original print publication. It was a wonderful way to reconnect with London’s arts scene, which I had been part of in my younger years through theatre, music, and writing competitions, but stepped away from once I started university.
Why am I volunteering as a writer for The Beat Magazine 2025?
Writing for The Beat was one of my favorite freelance experiences, so I was sad when it ceased publication. I’m thrilled it’s back and to be writing for it again. London has such a vibrant and deeply talented arts community, but sometimes it feels like an underground, best-kept secret that deserves to be more widely known, experienced, and celebrated. I believe The Beat plays an important role in giving artists and community artistic organizations the attention they deserve, especially when local mainstream media doesn’t always shine that spotlight. I’m happy to contribute to that mission.
Thoughts about the London arts and culture community
London’s arts scene is alive with talent, creativity, and passion. It’s full of amazing artists across disciplines who continue to create, perform, and inspire, often without the recognition they truly deserve. I see The Beat as a way to showcase that energy and help connect people in the community with the incredible work happening around them.
Anything else readers should know about Dawn Lyons?
In addition to grant writing, I continue to write poetry and creative nonfiction, and I’m an aspiring lyricist, fascinated by how the right words woven into music can carry so much impact. I also maintain an online memorial to celebrate one of my favorite songwriters, Lisa Marie Presley, whose creative talents were deep and meaningful, but often overlooked.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer writer for The Beat Magazine 2025, please contact Richard Young, Publisher & Content Manager, at richardyoung@thebeatmagazine2025.ca. We are seeking writers and reviewers for local music, visual arts, fiction, poetry, and prose.
The Beat Magazine 2025 