Writing • Editing • Copy Editing

I have spent more than 20 years as a professional writer, editor, and copy editor, with experience writing on-staff for both print and online publications, as well as helping a variety of clients with their writing and editing needs on a freelance basis.

Currently, I work as a freelance writer, copy editor and proofreader. Previous jobs include Managing Editor of Chef magazine, Associate Editor of Fancy Food & Culinary Products magazine and Features Editor for ethnicgrocer.com.

WRITING
My articles on food, the environment, pets, the arts, business, cuisine, travel, and other topics have been published in numerous magazines and newspapers, including: Saveur magazine, Restaurants & Institutions magazine, Pet Quarterly magazine, Escape magazine, International Market News magazine, San Jose Mercury News, The Oakland Tribune, The Tampa Tribune, and The San Francisco Chronicle.

Writing Samples: Magazines

     • "Risotto Redefined" ... The cultural cross-dressing of a classic Northern Italian specialty.
     • "Tasting the Fire" ... Tips from Chef Rick Bayless on tasting hot sauces and salsas.
     • "Mac & Cheese for the Soul" ... Chef Todd English on simplicity and "Macaroni Simoni."
     • "Toasting a New 'Couscous'" ... The surprising story of Israeli couscous.
     • "A Gentle Japanese Giant" ... Daikon, an Asian staple, has taken root in U.S. kitchens.
     • "Shades of Sweet Gold" ... A focus on varietal honeys.
     • "Barista Secrets" ... America's top baristas share their espresso expertise.
     • "Shortbread, Pure and Simple?" ... Jim Walker himself talks shortbread, classic and new.
     • "Class in a Glass" ... The allure of ice-cream drinks, all grown up.
     • "Simple Pleasures" ... The humble yet powerful cookie gains ground on upscale menus.

Writing Samples: Newspaper Feature Stories

     •  "Seeing Glory" ... A hang-gliding mecca hidden in the orange groves of Central Florida.   
         (Tampa Tribune)

     • "Race for Space"  ... The Bay-area housing crunch. (San Francisco Chronicle)

     • "Taiko Drumming Strikes Emeryville" ... A local group's take on ancient Japanese
        drumming. (San Francisco Chronicle)

     • "Cast-off Carpet" ... Carpet as ... fuel? What do to about the little-known but
        ever-expanding and tricky carpet problem. (San Jose Mercury News)

EDITING & COPY EDITING
Need to make sure your writing is effective, smooth, and error-free? Want a professional eye on your article, brochure, resume, web page, or newsletter? Maybe you'd like a final check on grammar, spelling, and punctuation, or help with your piece's structure, tone, or message?

Freelance and on-staff professional experience includes:

     • articles
     • newsletters
     • ads
     • letters
     • brochures
     • recipes
     • menus
     • calendars
     • itineraries

For example:
    
     • planning, assigning, writing, editing, and copy editing stories from raw text
       to the final "blue-line" stage for monthly national magazines including:
       Chef magazine, Fancy Food magazine, Giftware News magazine, Decorating Ideas   
       magazine, West magazine, and Country Business magazine.

     • proofing pieces for foodservice clients including the Dairy Marketing Institute
       and the Idaho Potato Board (edited and proofed their annual Idaho Potato Calendar). 

     • copy editing marketing materials for Great Books Chicago's annual event.

     • editing/rewriting the English version of a Swiss e-bank's website.

     • editing and proofing a personal autobiography.

Accustomed to:

     • meeting deadlines

     • accommodating various editorial house styles 
       (professional experience in both AP and Chicago styles)

     • working remotely online, using the "Track Changes" tool in Microsoft Word
      and the "Comment & Markup" tool in Adobe Reader, so you can review each change
       before accepting it.

Traditional editing on paper is also available, of course.