#!/usr/bin/perl
use strict;
use warnings;
while (<DATA>)  {
chomp;
if($_ !~ /^{/){
    $_ =~ s/\\//gi;
    chomp;
    print "$_ ";
              }
}

__DATA__
{AUTHOR}
author1
staff1
{HEADLINE}
DISPOSABLE DECOR: THE CUTTING EDGE DULLS FAST\
STYLE AT A SPEED
USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH WARDROBE ITEMS.