About Me – Last Word Editing

Passionate content editor with an eye for engaging narrative across multiple genres
Meticulous copyeditor with strong proofreading skills
Dedicated managing editor and journalist driven to find the compelling angle in each story
Client-focused marketing writer reaching target audiences across multiple platforms, with a keen eye to brand, voice and style
Publishing background includes newspapers, literary journals, novels, corporate/trade publications and marketing collateral, online and in print

Experience

Freelance Writer and Editor

February 2003—Present

Research and craft a wide range of content, from social media to long-form features highlighting cultural interests, the environment, local news, personalities, and businesses profiles
Ghostwrite articles for a Tampa-based duck rescue site, com
Continued copy and content editing for literary and scholarly work, including five published novels
Penned a local interest and travel column, Distractions, in an established weekly paper with a circulation of 15,000 print

Managing Editor

The Northeast Journal (St. Petersburg, FL) January 2022—Present

Oversee all content for bimonthly issues and guide a team of writers on diverse topics for our unique, hyper-local audience
Meet strict deadlines for end-line copy and layout approval
Craft editor’s notes and occasional pieces of cultural and community interest for publication
Responsible for the newspaper’s online presence, including website content and social media

Managing Editor

The Gabber Newspaper (Gulfport, FL) January 2014—November 2021

Guided all news, features and editorial content for Florida’s oldest independent weekly newspaper
Managed reporters, photographers and contributors on diverse pieces to meet our professional standards on tight deadlines
End-line copy and layout approval, including facilitating pagination and final copy edits
Responsible for the newspaper’s online presence, including website content and social media
Designed and oversaw a complete overhaul to the newspaper’s website, including the content management system, user experience and aesthetic

Copywriter and Strategist

Eye for Image (Copenhagen, Denmark) December 2010—October 2011

Lead communications projects and contributed strategic content for leading corporations in Europe
Delivered targeted copy to support internal and external client communications directives
Edited a monthly e-magazine for communications professionals; conceptualized each edition, from content to design; managed contributors to assure thematically complete issues
Collaborated on internal projects and value-adding initiatives, including seminars, cross-cultural B2B strategies and resources for international companies
Project experience extends to corporate and trade magazines, annual reports and other publications, web copy and press releases

Staff Writer

Florida Health Care News (Tampa, FL) June 2008—June 2009

Wrote long-form features highlighting developments in health care services and technology across various fields, requiring extensive research, doctor/patient interviews and creative conceptualization
Edited weekly editions, examining all elements for copy and stylistic errors on strict deadlines
Collaborated with a production team of writers, artists, photographers and production managers for 23 editions across the state of Florida

Assistant Editor/Sales and Marketing Director

The Gabber Newspaper (Gulfport, FL) March 2001—January 2007

Edited incoming features, press releases and news items from a variety of sources, ensuring stylistic continuity and adherence to AP guidelines
Executed newspaper layout on strict deadlines, combing design elements and content for errors and consistency issues
Guided newspaper content by working with writers and contributors to develop story ideas
Implemented numerous successful print advertising campaigns for new and existing advertisers, evaluating all aspects of the client’s branding needs from conception to publishing
Creative authority extended to newspaper marketing, direct mail projects and all in-house documents to ensure accuracy, clarity and adherence to company branding

English Language Instructor

Berlitz (Copenhagen, Denmark) November 2011—August 2012

Presented customized English curricula at all levels to nonnative English speakers in traditional and one-on-one classroom environments
Worked closely with students from Europe, the Middle East and Asia to overcome culturally specific language challenges; defined language goals with students and achieved demonstrable results
Coordinated with fellow instructors to provide students with consistent schedules, as well as organized and varied lesson plans

Board Member
Keep St. Pete Lit, non-profit organization (St. Petersburg, FL)
January 2014—Present

Ongoing collaboration with a team of creatives and other professionals to celebrate and promote greater St. Petersburg’s literary community through arts, education and events with a literary focus
Programs and initiatives include SunLit Literary Festival, LitSpace Writer’s Residency, LitSpace Literary Art Institute, children’s programs and multiple community partnerships (more at keepstpetelit.org)

Editor, thread, USF’s Undergraduate Literary Journal
University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
October 2007–April 2008

Selected from a field of competitive applicants to join a team of editors to oversee the 2008 edition
Evaluated submissions in literary criticism, poetry, rhetoric, short fiction and non-fiction for literary merit and guided contributors in an editorial capacity to achieve excellence in their work

Bachelor of Arts, English, University of South Florida (Tampa, FL), 2008

Associate of Arts, St. Petersburg College (St. Petersburg, FL), 2006

Journalism & English Lit Studies, University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), 1995-1998