My writing services run the gamut. My professional writing services draw on my experience as a reporter, wordsmith, and student of life. Take a look at what I can do. Hopefully, you’ll think I’m a good fit for your next project or assignment or as an employee of your organization.
Writing Services
- Magazine and newspaper articles (features, news and investigative)
- Personality, business, and nonprofit profiles
- Personal essays and columns
- Event coverage
- Travel writing
- Nonprofit writing services
- Content marketing writing services
- Newsletters, marketing content, annual reports
- Blogs, social media, and website content
- Concert, theater, and restaurant previews/reviews
- Scholarly journal articles and research
- Essays, research papers, and APA citation (high school, college)
- Ghostwriting (memoirs, autobiographies)
- Editing, proofreading, transcription services
- Tutoring and teaching in English, journalism, and writing
As any entrepreneur will tell you, there are times you have to branch out to keep the work flowing and the bills paid. My writing services are whatever clients need them to be. I’ve learned to be flexible to meet the needs of editors, businesses, and organizations. I’m a versatile writer who can deliver 400-word articles, blog posts, press releases, creative B2B and B2C marketing content, or well-sourced, long-form feature stories and investigative journalism.
Journalism background
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a small-town reporter was connecting with community and meeting ordinary people – hearing their stories from the kitchen table, living room sofa, hospital room, or accident scene.
It takes a friendly, outgoing, unpretentious person to approach strangers at an art fair or concert or on the street corner. Ask them probing questions and then convince them to speak on the record? Yes, I did that.
It seems I have a knack for getting people to open up and feel comfortable. I credit it to the fact I am caring, curious, courteous, and feel we are all connected.
Conscientious and curious
One of the things I enjoyed most about being a reporter is constantly learning new things. Every day is different. It’s a profession that encourages autonomy, creativity, and curiosity for the world.
The actual art of writing still gives me a great sense of purpose and pride, especially when I learn the story truly made a difference in the life of a struggling family, raised awareness for a pressing community need, or helped a nonprofit organization through publicity of a fundraiser or program.
As a content writer, I continue to expand my skills and learn more about SEO and digital marketing strategy. Good content can help grow a company’s brand and increase its bottom line. I can be persuasive and write in brand voice. And I don’t need a byline.
My writing services continue to evolve and expand. But regardless of the format, good storytelling matters. Getting it right matters. Having ethics and integrity matters.
I’ve always been proud to be a journalist and true to the profession’s ethics. My intent is always to be fair, accurate, unbiased – and write a story that is interesting and informative. And in an era of media mistrust, fake news, and wannabe reporters, it’s more important than ever.
I write like it matters because it does.
Newspaper experience
Link to current resume here
Arts & Entertainment/Feature Writer | Muskegon Chronicle | 2005-2010
- Generated section-front centerpieces for A&E cover, Sunday features, religion, and health pages
- Wrote front page, breaking news, and enterprise stories as assigned
- Beat reporter for West Michigan Symphony, Muskegon Museum of Art, Lakeshore Museum Center, Frauenthal Center, Muskegon Community College arts programs, and other arts nonprofits
- Covered arts and entertainment, summer music festivals, concert and theater previews, area arts councils, arts-related community events, nonprofits, and social issues
- Wrote weekly column SenseAbilities for Thursday entertainment section
- Covered seven school districts, several townships, and general news assignments
- High accuracy and professionalism on Chronicle source questionnaires
Health and Feature Reporter | The Republic | 2001-2005
- Covered hospital, medical community, health trends and issues
- Arts, entertainment, features, religion, business profiles, general assignments
- Specialties: Domestic violence, animal rescue and abuse, poverty issues
- Enterprise and investigative articles alone and with staff
- Elections, breaking news, police beat weekend rotation, news briefs and obituaries
- Received positive feedback and Thank You notes from sources/readers
Education and Feature Reporter | The Frankfort Times | 1998-2001
- Beat reporter for four school districts, township government, breaking news as needed
- Wrote features, business and economic coverage, human interest stories, and general assignments
- Elections, police beat weekend rotation, obituaries, school news, and news briefs
- Promoted to features writer and copy editor; coordinated Senior Times special section
- Assisted with editorial functions including editing, page design, taking photos as needed
- Won numerous awards and helped newspaper earn second overall in state newspaper contest
Writing Awards
The Republic
Best Feature Series (team), first place, Indiana Associated Press Managing Editors, 2005; Best Non-Deadline Reporting (team), third place, Society of Professional Journalists, 2005; Best Ongoing News Coverage (team), third place, Hoosier State Press Association, 2003; Best Short Feature Story, second place, HSPA, 2002
The Times
Best Profile Feature, second place; Best Business/Economic News, third place; Community Service (team), first place; Community Service, third place; Best In-Depth Feature, second place, HSPA, all in 2001; Community Service, first place; Best Business/Economic News, second place; Best News Coverage with No Deadline, second place, HSPA, 2000; Best In-Depth Feature, second place, HSPA, 1999
