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 I'm an independent writer, blogger and indexer who delivers "words that work." The
words might be funny or serious, meaningful or light but they will always be on time, on budget and on target. I've written on topics such as career development, food, travel, and education;
indexed everything from biographies to pet care manuals and edited everything from business proposals to websites for everyone from retailers to movie producers.
Over two decades in publishing and web development has taught me how to craft the right message in the right format at the right time. It has given me the insight and skills that ensure
that whatever your project, I will deliver the words that work for you.
For more information, please don't hesitate to contact me via email, phone or by filling out the
contact us page at the Modern Parlance website.
Writing Samples and Current Projects: My work as a writer has touched on lifestyle topics such as food, travel as well as consumer advice, career development and personal finance. As you might expect from subjects that wide
ranging, the audiences are similarly diverse. These are just a few of the places you can see my work as well as some additional pieces I've produced.
Gotham Girl Series written for Boris Johnson's commentary website. The series
was developed to support the ongoing cross-promotional partnership between NYC's Mayor Bloomberg and London Mayor Boris Johnson. Topics so far include:
Consumer advice articles at Cheapism.com,
a website for those who don't want to spend a lot but want the most they can for their money. Pieces include what to expect and look for when purchasing:
I run two topical blogs of my own --
The Fabulous Foodie (a culinary blog where my focus is food history, food trivia and the connection between food and the world at large) and
Greater Gotham (where almost 10 years years of blogging experience come together with 25 years living in one of the greatest cities on earth). Highlights from these blogs include:
Career Development Series written for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Professional Practice Curriculum. Provides background and job prospect information on leading industries and is designed
to assist engineers who were new to the field or established engineers looking for new challenges. Topics include:
Additional Pieces:
For more writing samples, please see the Modern Parlance Reading Room where you will find articles on communication and marketing as well as opinion pieces on language
and words.
Indexing Background:
As an indexer at Cohen Carruth Inc (7/03-9/06), I created original indexes for a wide range of non-fiction books, including major trade titles, social, historical and academic works. I was also responsible for editing and proofreading of
indexes by others , the trafficking and distribution of projects to contractors and I continue working with them as an indexer on a freelance basis. Visit Modern Parlance for
more information on my indexing services or indexing in general.
Marketing and Interactive Experience: I began working as a consultant while still working as an in-house interactive producer at marketing design firms here in New York City and over time, I've served as marketing and
interactive consultant in a variety of industries. Striking out on your own is a scary proposition at any time but I enjoyed great success and even greater happiness on
those initial forays into freelancer-hood. When it became clear that this was how I worked best and how I best served the clients I worked with, I went freelance full time and started
Modern Parlance. It is my greatest challenge yet and my proudest achievement. served as marketing and interactive consultant in a variety of industries.
Blog and Website Management: created and maintain a variety of sites including:
Fabulous Foodie: a culinary blog. I designed and maintain the blog in addition to serving as co-author.
Greater Gotham: a blog about life in New York written, designed and maintained by myself.
ORT New York: Work with both the fundraising and marketing departments at ORT
America to develop content for this regional website, their targeted marketing materials and invitations - all designed to build recognition and membership in the tri-state
area.
ORT America - performed website assessment and audit followed by redesign and ongoing social media consulting and maintenance for the national ORT
website.
Ellen Shumsky: site for a book called Portrait of a Decade 1968-78 - a collection of B&W
photos documenting an exciting a turbulent period of time of demonstrations.
Consultations and Contract Positions: served as marketing and interactive consultant in a variety of industries including:
Telecom: as interim Marketing Director and Executive Operations Manager, I was responsible for the creation of multicultural marketing strategies for up a start-up telecom company who needed aggressive,
grassroots campaigns to reach new and underserved markets in the NYC metro area.
Entertainment: worked as publishing consultant for this entertainment production company on the production of their first book and upon launch, devised an integrated
marketing plan that resulted in an increase in press interest as well as in site traffic.
Consumer Retail: Served as web and content consultant for this upscale home decor retailer in San Francisco.
Publishing: Created book development proposals for e-publishing programs for a specialty literary agency.
Sports and Gaming: Developed information architecture as basis of marketing and registration website for multi-venue sporting event.
Non-profits: I have always made a point of being available as a consultant to non-profits looking for guidance, quite often on a pro-bono
basis. What makes these projects important to me is that they are satisfying not only on a "job well done" level
but on the "doing good for others" level as well. It's hard to beat that combination. It has been my pleasure to work with educational non-profits on websites and marketing campaigns as well as
with artists in a variety of media and fields. I am always interested in hearing how I can help with a worthy cause.
In-House Interactive Producer: As senior producer at two fast-growing design firms in New York City, it was my pleasure and good fortune
to work with excellent designers, writers and technical teams. The projects were challenging, wide ranging and ultimately met and exceeded client expectations every time.
- Developed a series of extranets serving corporate and institutional clients of leading mortgage lender. Sites involved extensive on-line maintenance, development of dynamic database
driven content, high-level personalization and security, as well collateral materials to educate a nationwide sales force. After site launch, continued to work with the client to find ways to add value to the
sites and develop other related interactive initiatives.
- Managed development and maintenance of new Web site for the major environmental not-for-profit who sought to serve more diverse audience and raise their public profile.
In addition to restructuring of the site itself to meet the needs of each unique group of end users, a series of Web-based content management tools were developed to allow staff members to maintain site updates
and extensive online content archive, customize news feeds, and manage membership and mailing lists with greater ease. Devised long-term strategy for site expansion that was responsive to the users needs and
met or exceeded expectations.
- Supervised branding of business papers; created collateral materials as well as the architecture and design for an optical e-commerce superstore site.
- Guided in-depth restructuring and redesign of a hospitality industry portal and newsletter from a big five consulting firm. Redesign reflected changes in industry to better reflect the
global nature of the site's audience. The restructuring made updating and maintenance more efficient. Continued to work with the client to develop additional site features for the same audience.
- Managed password-protected on-line community and multi-level collateral system designed to facilitate communication between major IT equipment manufacturer and its most significant
customers worldwide. Solicited licensed content, managed site updates, incentive programs, live events, and membership lists. Played major role in expanding site and collateral materials to additional
audiences.
Publishing Experience: Many years in marketing departments at major scholarly and trade presses has shown me how to promote and market to the consumer market
as well as how to craft targeted distribution strategies to optimize sales and increase adoptions of academic titles in college market. These efforts include the design and execution of direct mail and
advertising campaigns, creation of promotional materials, presentations at sales conferences, serial rights negotiation, book club sales and management of company presence at exhibits and conferences.
Additional Information
Education: Bachelor's Degree at Sarah
Lawrence College (Bronxville, NY), 1989 Professional Affiliations: AvantGuild | American Society of Indexers
| Editorial Freelancers Association | Freelancers Union | ORT America
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