Thursday, March 25, 2010

Copy Editing and Proofreading


As a writer I know how important it is to use language correctly, but as a human being I know how difficult that can be. You check, double-check, and re-check that important letter, brochure, essay, or poem until you start seeing double. Or maybe you just can't get the words to pop the way you want it to.

The best remedy for writer's block or sneaky grammatical errors is to have a second (or even third) set of eyes take a look. I often find that I make mistakes when I'm too familiar with a piece. When I'm proofreading or copy editing a new document it's easy to ferret out commonly made errors, puzzle out how to make the language "pop," and find the facts that need to be checked.

I have worked as a proofreader and copy editor for Guitar World Acoustic, party promoter San Jose Nights, and for countless creative writing students at San Jose State University and Pratt Institute. To learn more about my editing style please visit my LinkedIn profile to see recommendations from my former classmates and co-workers.

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Family Histories Transcribed


I recently found an old issue of The Prattler, a student magazine I worked for as an undergraduate at Pratt Institute. My assignment was to speak to my Grandpa Walt about the Pearl Harbor attacks and his experiences as a soldier during World War II.

As I re-read this forgotten artifact I realized how lucky I was to have it. My grandfather did not willingly talk about the war. The only time I remember him mentioning it was when the Nuremberg television mini-series came out in 2000, and that was only to tell me that the cells didn't look like the way the show portrayed them and that Brian Cox didn't look or act at all like Hermann Göring. That was the day I learned my grandpa had been a guard at Nuremberg.

My grandpa passed away in 2007. It is such a gift to have his experiences in his own words. I have a record of our family history as well as a piece of American history told by someone who lived it.

As a writer, I am interested in family, local, American, and world history. Chronicling family histories and creating historical documents that can be passed down to future generations is fascinating to me. A simple Microsoft Word document can easily be mailed to all of your relatives around the world. A hardbound copy of your favorite childhood memory will become a treasured family heirloom. I will work with you and your family to create the perfect written record that will preserve your family's history for years to come!

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Marketing Writing

Marketing has a bad reputation...with good reason. Advertisers use misleading images and language in order to convince consumers to buy their product (I have a 1949 advertisement that cheerfully proclaims "MORE DOCTORS SMOKE CAMELS THAN ANY OTHER CIGARETTE" reminding us that "Doctors smoke for pleasure, too!").

However, a strong marketing campaign can do wonders for business owners. Marketing collateral creates a clear vision and voice for your company. Flyers, brochures, website content, and social networking can connect your product and services to consumers quickly and easily.

I will create marketing documents that define your company in a concise manner, enabling you to reach the largest possible audience. With honest writing there's no need to resort to false advertising or hyperbole.

Services Offered:
Website Content Development
Flyers
Marketing Collateral
Press Releases
Business Correspondence
Branding/Identity

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!

Clients/Experience

Travelers' Tales - Publisher of Marco Polo Didn't Go There, 100 Places Every Woman Should Go, and The Best Women's Travel Writing and The Best Travel Writing anthologies.

Future US - Publisher of Guitar World, PC Gamer, Official Xbox Magazine, Nintendo Power, and Maximum PC.

Mobile Minds Tutoring

Brooklyn Review

Reed Magazine

My Mom!

For more information email me or call (650) 339-6040 today!