EDUCATION
Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY – May 2004
Bachelor of Arts, Africana Studies, focus: Literature and the Arts, Correlate Sequence (Minor): English Literature
Honors: (1) Dr. June Jackson Christmas Prize for Academic Excellence (2) Paul Robeson Prize for Best Thesis
Emerson College, Boston, MA – May 2007
Master of Arts, Publishing & Writing
Honors: Nominated for 2-year Administration Assistantship
WORK HISTORY
Freelance Communications Professional (Editor, Writer, Project Manager), 2006 – Present
I have performed various publishing functions per the needs of the hiring entity, author or publishing agent, managing and prioritizing simultaneous projects to achieve successful, satisfactory job completion. These projects have included non-fiction, fiction, educational text supplements and legal documents, as well as online content and other marketing media, working primarily offsite but using proprietary House styles and guidelines.
Functions include: Project Management; Ghost, Content and Copy Writing; Developmental and Copy Editing, and Proofreading
Clients include (Expanded List):
- Cambridge Press (IJMES | JLG | RoMES)
- Munich Reinsurance America Inc.
- Pearson Education/Prentice Hall
Editing projects for individual clients have included (Project Portfolio):
- Nonfiction and Fiction: All levels of editing for various genres of literature, including dialogue and description heavy texts
- Contracts and Legal Documents: Proofreading for typographical errors
- Website Content: Research, developmental editing and copyediting
- Book Proposals: All levels of editing to ensure adherence to publisher/agent specifications
Writing projects for individual clients have included (Project Portfolio):
- Ghostwriting: Primarily inspirational autobiographies and self-help
- Copy Writing: Press releases, business correspondence, book blurbs/synopses, and newsletter content, limited brochure/pamphlet and website copy (see www.WelstarPublications.com)
Blogger/Book Reviewer, 2012 to Present
- Kate-Book.com [Trivia Column] [Kate’s Book Club]
- SanFranciscoBookReview.com
- ChickLitPlus.com
- Interview authors and review books for various online publications and communities
- Research/author weekly Trivia column, detailing esoteric historical and pop culture facts
Associate Publisher/Managing Editor, Welstar Publications, 2008 to 2011
- Spearheaded brand development through streamlining of processes and expansion of internet presence
- Developed content through interviewing, editing and writing functions, as necessitated by project
Editorial Assistant, Business Publishing, Pearson Education, 2005
- Processed contracts, manuscripts for review and production, and payment requisitions
- Served as liaison between editors, authors and other concerned parties
- Managed daily office operations and organized calendars and travel for in-house editors
- Prioritized author communications and promptly responded to all correspondences
- Managed the mailing of ARCs and press releases, as well as book requests
Advertising and Marketing Intern, Hudson Valley Magazine, 2003
- Conducted market research, maintaining and compiling advertiser database information
- Prepared and disseminated promotional material
- Served as temporary receptionist
Book Seller, Bunch of Grapes Book Store, 2002
- Implemented personal reorganization suggestions of and maintained showroom
- Recommended and hand-sold books, staying apprised of new/notable authors and newly released books
- Aided the organization of author functions
- Acted as cashier, operating and maintaining a balanced, well-stocked till
VOLUNTEER/COMMUNITY
Newsletter Coordinator, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, Newark, NJ — 2010 – Present
Member, WBAI, Community Radio Programming, NYC — 2010 – Present
Supporter, Habitat for Humanity — 2008 – Present
Supporter, Hope House, Women and Children’s Shelter, Jersey City — 2008 – Present
Supporter, St. Lucy’s Homeless Shelter, Jersey City — 2008 – Present
Supporter, PBS — 2008
Event Coordinator, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bergen, Jersey City — 2007
ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND STRENGTHS
- Network Building/Liaising
- Personable & genial demeanor
- Book Retail Sales/Publicity
- Time sensitive, self-starter
- Market Research & Cold Calling
- Adept in high stress situations
Technology Proficiencies: QuarkXPress8 and Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, 65 wpm