What I can do for you

Anything? Really?

Services

If you need something written, edited, proofread or presented, I’ve probably handled something relevant to it. For recent and past projects or publications, see the WHERE page of this website.

Writing

Editing

Proofreading

Websites

Speaking

If you need writing ...

I’m a fast, accurate writer with a lively “voice,” excellent interviewing and research skills, and the ability to make fairly dry topics seem interesting and vibrant. I’m also told I write a mean headline!

I write feature, news and profile articles for independent, association, nonprofit, institution and company magazines, newspapers, newsletters and websites, along with press releases, meeting coverage and a variety of other assignments over the years. I also write annual reports for nonprofits, including coming up with themes and ideas for illustrating them, and have written an association history. I’ve written the lifestyle section of a book about job-hunting, co-authored a book about making speeches, and am the co-author of a book about eldercare, aimed at caregivers.

I've written about everything from animal hospitals, apartment living and management, arboriculture, architecture, art and artists, and associations ... to banking, black culture, business, collectibles, communications, contracting, crafts, the decorative arts, diversity, education, elder care, food service, foster and adoptive parenting, gardening, genealogy, Girl Scouting, Jewish life, historic preservation, health, home decor, human resources, international issues, landscaping, the metric system, networking, nonprofits, the peace movement, philanthropy, publication design, sculpture, social services, tourism, training, women’s issues and more.

I've also written profiles of people in even more professions and industries.

My writing skills have been strengthened by working in-house as a newspaper staffer, university administration newsletter editor, magazine researcher/assistant editor, association communications manager, and hospital chief of publications, along with freelance assignments with more publications than I can count.

If you need newsletters & desktop publishing ...

Putting together publications has always been more fun than work for me. Although I am not a graphic artist or designer per se, I know typography and the elements of readability and good page design.

I’m skilled in InDesign and QuarkXPress, and adept at using Photoshop to enhance and incorporate images for publications and websites.

Not only can I provide layout and publication management services, including PDFs for print and website use, I can create templates for new publications and improve the “look” of existing ones for greater readability, clarity, attractiveness and effectiveness.

If you want to take your publication from print to, or with, electronic versions, I can do that for you as well.

If you need editing or proofreading ...

I have topnotch skills in spelling, grammar, usage, punctuation and style matters, and can do a substantive edit without losing the original author’s voice. I have a sharp eye for (and ability to fix) typos, clunky writing, jargon, poor transitions, style inconsistencies and other problems in articles, ads, brochures, websites and entire publications.

I’m fluent in AP, Chicago and GPO styles, and familiar with Section 508 accessibility guidelines.

I’ve done editing and proofreading of books, newspapers, magazines, newsletters, white papers, websites, a technical-services company, a law firm, a PR firm, colleagues’ articles and more.

If you need public speaking/training ...

I have received positive evaluations for my depth of knowledge and lively, personable speaking style at programs on a variety of topics – freelancing, editing & proofreading, websites, grammar, starting a nonprofit organization, newsletters, networking, organizational communications, marketing, and more.

I enjoy sharing knowledge and ideas with colleagues, and make a point of letting audiences feel free to participate for a lively exchange of ideas and insights. I also provide detailed handouts.