There's magic
in a story well-told
The need to tell and to hear stories about ourselves is primal. It's how we connect to each other and to the world. That connection is what I strive to create as an award-winning author of short fiction. As an editor and writing coach, I help other writers find their own connections to the stories they were born to tell.
As an award-winning author of short fiction, I've been honored with top prizes from Narrative magazine and bosque (the magazine.) My work has been shortlisted for the Tobias Wolff Fiction Award, the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Prize and the Goldenberg Prize for Fiction from the Bellevue Literary Review and anthologized (twice) in Ginosko Literary Journal. I speak to groups of writers in person and online and lead a fiction workshop at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference. I live in Southern California with my rescue mutt, Dude, where I write, paint and work as a freelance editor and writing coach.
Links to some of my published work can be found here. Or scroll down for a more detailed CV.
Experience
2010 - Present
Freelance Writer/Editor
As I teach in my fiction writing workshop at the famed Santa Barbara Writers Conference, the keys to solving story problems, or strengthening an already good story, can almost always be found in the material itself. As a writing coach, I help writers understand the deeper meanings in their work, which makes for richer storytelling and a more emotional and fulfilling experience for both reader and the writer.
In editing non-fiction, I bring strong organizational skills, a logical approach, and a
sense of how both subtle and overt cues in the writing affect a reader's perception and
understanding.
In addition to editing, I am myself a working writer, a longtime contributing editor to
American Salon Magazine, and an award-winning author of fiction. Recent honors
include the top fiction prize from bosque (the magazine) for my short story “Nature,”
which was also shortlisted for the Tobias Wolff Fiction Award from the Bellingham
Review and the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Prize.
2009 - 2010
Managing Editor
Managed ongoing custom publishing project for SalonCentric, the distribution arm of
L’Oreal’s professional division. Responsible for the production of a monthly print trade
magazine of 100K+ national circulation; two regional editions of 64-72 pages each.
Wrote all edit (12-14 pages per issue); managed the team handling ad trafficking for
80+ advertisers; coordinated with production to produce finished layouts; facilitated
client approvals; responsible for quality control through prepress.
2002 - 2010
Contributing Editor
Researched, wrote and edited content for beauty trade magazines American Salon and
Beauty Launchpad.
1990 - 2002
MarComm Professional
1994-2002 Responsible for directing marketing activities for TARA Labs, an audio components
manufacturer with worldwide distribution. Responsibilities included writing and
developing advertising and promotional materials; website development; trade show
coordination; evaluation of advertising and promotional opportunities. Served as
marketing contact for international distributors in 18 countries. Served as an integral
part of new product development team.
1990-1994 Wrote and designed all advertising and promotional materials for Ashland Vineyards winery and tasting room, including labels, print ads, brochures, and press releases.
Acted as distributor marketing liaison. Coordinated outside promotional activities such as wine/food shows and tastings.
Education
2015 - 2017
Cal State Fullerton | Bachelor’s Degree
Communications, with an emphasis in advertising
Skills
& Expertise
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Fiction writing
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Editing fiction, non-fiction, memoir
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Story development
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Ghostwriting