SUMMARY:  Exceptional Writing and Editing Background

PR and Marketing Writer for Pedego Electric Bikes following 6 years as the Staff Creative Writer & Associate Editor for global nonprofit Toastmasters International (TI).  Professional freelance writer. Wrote essay winning a national TV ad campaign for our family's Pedego store.

 

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts in English, University of California, Irvine

  • Degree Emphasis in Creative Writing.

  • Dean’s List Repeatedly.

  • Editor, UCI Undergraduate Research Journal - a technical and scientific journal.

  • Awarded grant for Undergraduate Research Project (short story collection)

  • Awarded 2005 Town and Gown Scholarship for academics and leadership.

  • Two-plus years as columnist for UCI’s campus newspaper, New University.

  • Straight-A performance in Literary Journalism coursework.

 

FREELANCE WRITING & EDITING:

  • FADE IN Awards 2019 2nd place winner: First Ten Pages Award for a screenplay.

  • Pushcart Prize nominee.

  • Wrote essay winning a national Time Warner TV ad campaign for family’s Pedego store.

  • Teamed with Pedego's PR agency to write press releases published globally.

  • Published multiple essays in Orange Coast magazine.

  • Published numerous recent “freelance” articles in Toastmaster magazine.

  • Published short stories in literary press.

  • Wrote compelling social media content for client PR agencies. Developed copy decks to synchronize all social media messaging.

  • Created 2020 Media Kit for AGIA insurance company.

  • Wrote three assigned ebooks for UST including Nonprofit Talent Sustainability Strategies: 5 Ways to Combat Hiring & Succession Planning Obstacles.

  • Wrote marketing collateral ebook for AGIA insurance company, Welcome to Welltown.

  • Edited Breaking the Ice autobiography by Helen Blanchard.

 

PUBLIC RELATIONS: Pedego Electric Bikes Corporate Headquarters

  • Teamed with client PR agency to develop PR events, writing news releases published on a global scale.

  • Wrote majority of articles for the corporate magazine/catalog detailing benefits of Pedego e-bikes.

  • Wrote compelling social media content for client PR agencies. Created and developed Copy Decks to synchronize all social media messaging.

 

ON-STAFF WRITING & EDITING: Multiple Deadline-Driven Responsibilities at Toastmasters International World Headquarters    

  • Associate Editor, the Toastmaster magazine.

  • Writer, by-line and “staff,” penning numerous articles and more for the magazine.

  • Leader, editorial team, proposing and delivering monthly magazine themes.

  • Story and idea generator, proposing, researching and writing numerous published articles.

  • Team leader in magazine theme content development and annual content calendar.

  • Public relations/marketing/advertising writer & editor, which included writing news releases that garnered international media attention. Fast-paced, multi-tasking agency environment.

  • Educational writer, breaking down complex information into clear copy for manuals, newsletters, articles and technical instructions.

  • Co-creator (concepts/text) comics published in magazine.

  • UX Writer, developing content to promote a positive user experience for toastmasters.org.

  • Editor, internal and external content by staff and freelancers, using both AP and Chicago styles, as required.

  • Project developer and key writer, Toastmasters’ new youth communication program. Editor, Toastmasters business leadership manuals.

  • Editorial lead member, TI Social Media Task Force, researching, developing and writing for key sites: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc.

  • Speechwriter and speaker, preparing and presenting speeches, also creating PowerPoint shows as needed.

  • Scriptwriter, marketing video and 11 additional video projects for Web and social distribution.

 

COMPUTER SKILLS: Apple/PC/iPad

I'm a digital native. Apple/PC; MS Office Suite, email, WordPress (Wix, GoDaddy), social media, apps and more.