Who is Elizabeth Severs from Jeopardy? How a Former Tourism Publicist Became an Aspiring Novelist
Elizabeth Severs’ current ambition is to write novels.
But storytelling isn’t a new pursuit for the Wilmington, North Carolina Jeopardy! contestant.
For years, Severs made a living finding stories in places.
As Media Relations Manager for the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau, her task was to turn a Virginia destination’s history, food, outdoor activities and events into stories that journalists and travelers would want to explore.
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Hampton Became the Focus of Her Communications Career
Severs joined the Hampton Convention & Visitor Bureau in 2016.
As Media Relations Manager, she became an important link between the destination and the media.
She developed publicity material and pitched stories involving Hampton’s attractions and visitor experiences.
The role required both strong writing and an understanding of what makes an idea interesting to an outside audience.
Her Subjects Ranged From Beaches to Battlefields
Tourism communications exposed Severs to an unusually broad assortment of topics.
She worked on material involving Fort Monroe and Chesapeake Bay attractions.
She promoted food experiences and farmers markets.
Outdoor recreation, camping and cultural events also appeared within her work.
Hampton’s long history provided still more material.
Pirates, Civil War History and Beach Volleyball Were All Part of the Job
The diversity of Severs’ communications work becomes particularly obvious when looking at individual assignments.
She handled publicity connected with the EVP Beach Volleyball World Championships.
She also worked with Hampton History Museum programming and material concerning pirates, privateers, maritime history and the Civil War.
That variety required the kind of broad curiosity that doesn’t look out of place on a Jeopardy! contestant.
She Worked With a Regional Tourism Network
Severs also participated in the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance.
The organization brings together tourism professionals and travel media, helping destinations gain broader exposure.
Her participation expanded her communications work beyond Hampton itself into regional tourism promotion.
Why Novel Writing Isn’t Such a Dramatic Change
Severs eventually relocated to Wilmington and shifted her attention toward fiction.
The label “aspiring novelist” may suggest she abandoned one career for something completely different.
But many of her existing skills transfer naturally.
Public relations requires finding a narrative, understanding an audience, selecting details, writing clearly and making people care about a subject.
A novelist performs those tasks in a different format.
A New Chapter on Jeopardy
Severs’ television appearance adds yet another type of storytelling to her résumé.
After years spent promoting other people’s destinations, attractions and events, the spotlight has shifted.
The former media-relations professional is now pursuing creative writing—and stepping behind a Jeopardy! podium as part of that next chapter.
