Summary
You can be sure your project will receive
the conscientious focus it deserves. Your deadlines will be met and your final product will be of excellent quality.
My extensive career experience guarantees that the
learning curve to bring your project to completion will be quick and
efficient.
As an award-winning
journalist, I have mastered the ability to research subjects on a wide
variety of themes, whether it's internet marketing, health issues, dog
care, travel or any other topic.
Having been online for
10 years as a content provider and affiliate marketer, I can help you to
use article marketing and advise you on other methods to market
your online business.
Skills and Expertise
Writing
Editing
Proofreading
Web site design
eBook and eReport
creation and delivery
Experience and
Qualifications
After gaining my honors
diploma in Journalism and earning two writing awards in the process, I
launched my career as an editorial assistant on two trade magazines.
Shortly thereafter, I turned freelance and contributed trade articles to
gifts and style industry magazines.
Later, I took the job of
Manager of Community Education for the Canadian Mental Health
Association. In this role, I conducted in depth research on mental
health issues. This information was used for in-house publications,
educational literature, and for a regular weekly column that ran in four
major newspapers in our area.
I also researched and
wrote A Guide To Teenage Depression And Suicide that was sold to
various agencies in the mental health field.
My career as freelance,
staff writer and editor spanned 20 years, during which time I further
developed my range of knowledge and expertise, and earned another
journalism award for excellence in 1992.
As a result of the
expertise I gained from all my experience, I can now help clients with
all aspects of their publications, from researching and writing to
proofreading and editing, as well as publication development.
Among my clients are the
local Chamber of Commerce, IBM, Toronto Star Newspaper, several
community newspapers, the Canadian Mental Health Association, an
exporter, the duty free shop, and numerous small tourist businesses and
agencies.
Projects have included:
-
Edit and coordinate a
promotional publication for our local agricultural society
-
Research and publish
four booklets on various self help and do-it-yourself topics
-
Develop and produce a
local tourist guide to promote the area and its tourism businesses
-
Edit all sections of
three community newspapers
-
Research and write
content for all of the above
-
Write business and
product features for trade and consumer publications
-
Develop and maintain
an effective publicity-writing campaign
-
Create keyword-rich
articles for the internet
In all cases, it was
essential to delivery quality work on time and on budget, and to
overcome obstacles quickly and efficiently if and when they occurred.
This meant being resourceful and knowledgeable about available options.
____________________________________________________________
ACHIEVEMENTS
AWARDS
I have earned several distinguished awards during my
journalism career:
1992 - Heritage Award, Ontario Community Newspapers
Assoc.
1984 - Lakeshore Advertiser Award
1983 - Carling O’Keefe Award
EDUCATION
I graduated journalism with honors in 1984, when I also
completed the Corporate Communications Certificate program offered at
Humber College in Toronto.
Since then, I have completed several business programs:
1989 - Business Administration and Marketing - Women's
Business Development Centre
2000 - Business Promotion and Marketing - Community
Business Access Centre
Ongoing Studies & Research
I am constantly striving to improve the quality of the
services you receive. Some recent studies include:
- Online Writing, Creative Design and Desktop Publishing
courses
- Self-Publishing, Online and Offline Marketing, Web Page
Design
Freelance &
Contract
Since 1986, I have worked on various projects as a Freelance Journalist and Desktop Publisher. In
most cases, I was the project manager hired to take the job from concept
to print.
My responsibilities included everything from concept to
delivery, including:
project budgeting, advertising sales and design,
specialty publication design, brochure design, writing, photography, printer liaison,
print-ready artwork.
I have produced content (including writing and product
photography) for booklets, brochures, newsletters, annual reports and
flyers for business clients. In some cases, this material was also used
on business web sites.
self-publishing
As an author and publisher, I have launched several
projects.
2009 - Healthy
Dog Nutrition Secrets
A virtual bible on dog nutrition and dog care, includes
training, first aid, diseases and much more.
2001 - "How to Evaluate and
Buy a Used Car" (E-Book)
Complete with illustrations, this guide gives advice on
how to examine a used vehicle, what to look for and where, and how to
save expensive repairs later. Includes safety and mechanical check
lists. Designed for the layperson.
1994 - LeedScene Magazine -
Publisher
Created, designed, edited and published a quarterly
magazine promoting businesses and tourism in Leeds County. The project
involved hiring freelance writers, sell advertising and undertake all
design/production efforts.
1988 - Arts York Region - Publisher
An arts newsletter to promote local artists and
provide tips and advice on operating and marketing their businesses. I
worked with contributors on ideas, themes and submissions based on the
industry needs.
1986 - "Guide to Teenage Depression and Suicide"
(booklet) - Author/Publisher
Researched and wrote this guide to help parents and
others to identify the signs of depression and the potential for
suicide. Advice included how to respond to a person at risk to commit
suicide. (Revised 2008 and available online as an eBook.)
____________________________________________________________
More career references, should you need to see
them
Full Time
Here is an outline of my full-time experience.
1999-2000 - Managing Editor,
The Tower newspaper, CFB Kingston,
Ontario
All responsibilities of an editor: editing, writing,
photography, design considerations, budgeting, printer liaison and all
aspects of production. Designed and typeset ads.
1997-1999 - Community Newspaper Editor / Advertising
Sales & Design
Neighbour to Neighbour Newspaper, Kingston,
Ontario
All duties of the editor/publisher. Advertising sales,
reporting, writing, photography, layout, design, and directing a team of
reporters.
1990-1994 - Senior Reporter/Acting Editor, The
Reporter, Gananoque, Ontario
Provided general reporting, photography and layout. As
acting editor, I performed all related duties while overseeing a junior
reporter.
1989-1990 - News Editor,
Athens Laker, Athens, Ontario
Covered all local news stories and council meetings,
wrote business and general interest features, and photography.
1986-1989 - Manager of
Community Education, Canadian Mental Health
Association
In my role as manager of community education, I made
community presentations, coordinated an effective media campaign, worked
with various related committees, undertook program design and delivery,
publication design, writing, photography, and assisted with the
development of a TV panel show and video series.
