I’ve been a freelance writer and editor since 1984, active as an artist since 1997, and a college educator since 2005. Each line of work blends with and strengthens the others; any distinction between work and play is long gone. I’m a nimble juggler with a strong work ethic and need for new challenges, and the temperament to work independently.
That’s where you come in. I’m here to attract new clients and opportunities. To get in touch, please send an e-mail with your contact information and you'll hear from me promptly. Thanks in advance.
The Backstory
My first job was as a junior editor with a medical publisher in Miami, where I was put under the wing of an editorial perfectionist. Barbara used a red pen to edit and a razor blade to scrape away her (rare) errors. (Wite-Out made the red bleed.) While her approach made for an excruciatingly slow process, it was exact and I learned to copyedit. I don’t use a razor blade anymore, but my work is just as sharp.
In 1980 I was hired by a start-up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and began designing and developing training for pharmaceutical sales reps. While I've never been fully comfortable training laypeople to “educate” doctors, I learned how to structure a face-to-face adult learning experience and to develop leader and participant materials to support it. I learned how to make vast amounts of technical information accessible. I also learned how to work with clients, manage a project, and supervise others.
I leapt into the freelance world in 1984. Initially I was a subcontractor to large training firms, designing and developing customer service, sales, and other professional programs for Fortune companies. I mystery-shopped in Toronto for American Express. I lunched in Ford's executive dining room in Detroit during a Total Quality project. I used the lint roller in the Novartis ladies room to remove evidence of my cats from my power outfit. In time, I began to work directly with smaller companies in addition to subcontracting.
Being independent enables me to give my best thinking and work to my own high standards. The discipline comes easily because I value the freedom, love what I do, and know that my reliability is as important as great work. I have countless projects behind me, and happy clients. I have lived in New York City since 2004.
Being independent enables me to give my best thinking and work to my own high standards. The discipline comes easily because I value the freedom, love what I do, and know that my reliability is as important as great work. I have countless projects behind me, and happy clients. I have lived in New York City since 2004.
Writing and Editing
My skills are best suited to projects with educational or marketing content. I work for businesses and individuals. Proposals, reports, marketing collateral, educational materials, treatments, storyboards, videoscripts, statements, presentations, and Web content are all excellent fits. My broad exposures have made me an industry-generalist, quick to pick up content and able to transform complex information into lucid prose or precise bullets.
I can copyedit any text to clarity, consistency, and conciseness - manuscripts, dissertations, reports, and so on. Getting into the content is also exciting, whether to consult before the writing process or substantively edit existing material. I can readily grasp the essence of a text and see what it might need to maximize its quality, credibility, and completeness.
The two known forms of writing that elude me are press releases and ad copy. I’m not sure why, but they do.
Teaching
Teaching is essential to me; I love working with students. (They seem to love me too, in general, despite my stance on grade inflation.) Working with college students has sharpened my writing and editing and developed my presentation skills. I’ve created syllabi for writing courses and for a contemporary art course. My PowerPoint slides are tight and crisp, as I can edit content down to its essence and have an innate visual sense. My assignment sheets famously counter every student excuse for not knowing what to do or when.
I also develop and deliver hybrid and online courses using Blackboard, and enjoy it tremendously. The visual and writing skills I bring to online teaching are key to bringing the courses to life. LIM College is nominating the Contemporary Art online course I created for a Blackboard Exemplary Course Award.
I also develop and deliver hybrid and online courses using Blackboard, and enjoy it tremendously. The visual and writing skills I bring to online teaching are key to bringing the courses to life. LIM College is nominating the Contemporary Art online course I created for a Blackboard Exemplary Course Award.
Interested?
If you have a writing, editing, or teaching project you'd like to discuss, please send an e-mail with your contact information and I'll be in touch promptly. My rates are based on the project; please don't hesitate to query me.
Thank you.
