Through a combination of professional and classroom experience, I have acquired the skills to develop websites, manage content, write for ecommerce and blogs, and more. And to think, when I entered undergrad, all I wanted was to be a novelist. How times change.
Coding
For website development and content management, including HTML, CSS, Wordpress, and Javascript.
Editing
From light to heavy copyediting for blogs, advertisements, customer and client emails, and manuscripts.
Researching
For product information, technological innovations, management solutions, and UX improvement.
Writing
For retail buying guides, marketing emails, landing pages, websites, blog posts, and infographics.
Tools with which I have experience
Responsive Design
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Acrobat
Search Engine Optimization
HTML
CSS
Javascript
Wordpress
Drupal
Wix
Microsoft Office
Apple iWork
Google Drive
Associated Press
Chicago Manual of Style
Modern Library Association
Experience
I've been working since I was 16. (My first job was as a cashier in a hometown bakery. That's not listed here.) When I was 17, I began writing professionally, working as an intern for a local superstore chain. Now I'm in Boston, pursuing my Master's and a career in publishing. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for the experiences that led me down this path.
Prepared and added titles to CogNet and ARTECA by coding XML files, running scripts, uploading files to appropriate FTP folders, and coordinating metadata with Drupal fields.
Researched citation and reference management software to assist in implementation on CogNet and promote a better user experience.
Developed ebooks using HTML and CSS to replicate the print book design.
Researched alternative web content management systems to save money.
Learned Wix, a website builder and content management system
Interests
Like any other human being, I have interests that both relate to my field and have absolutely nothing to do with my field. And all of these interests in some way inform who I am. Below you can find some of my personal favorite sources of information alongside a couple blogs that I manage.
Podcasts I Love
I got into podcasts a couple years ago, and now they're my primary source of entertainment (after Netflix). Click on the podcast to learn a bit about it (and me). Full disclosure: these are just my favorites and by no means encompass my full podcast library.
Current Events
On Point with Tom Ashbrook
Frequency: Twice daily, Weekdays
Length: 45 minutes
Who doesn't love NPR? I didn't until I started listening to On Point. What I love about this podcast is that I don't feel obligated to listen to every episode, which is good because there are so many. Instead, I get to listen to great discussions about current events that are relevant or interesting to me. Usually that means politics, but also ocean conservation, climate change, education, the job market, and author interviews. In fact, I found one of my favorite books of 2016, All the Single Ladies by Rebecca Traister, through this podcast.
Historical
Lore
Frequency: Bi-weekly
Length: 30 minutes
Aaron Mahnke hosts this award-winning podcast that blends the fantastical with the historical. Every episode covers a particular fear, like the dark or vampires, and delves into a dark history of why we're afraid. The stories are fascinating, and Mahnke tells them brilliantly. I have tickets to see a live show in February 2017, so I like this one a lot.
My Favorite Murder
Frequency: Weekly
Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes
I'm a fan of true crime; I'm also a fan of psychology, and as such find the stories behind murders fascinating. Enter this fantastic comedy podcast that fast became the one I most look forward to each week. It's also rated highly in comedy podcasts on iTunes. Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff come together to talk about their favorite murder (or attempted murder) story of the week. Episodes have discussed JonBenét Ramsey, John Wayne Gacy, and Selena. They also have minisodes during which they read hometown murders sent in by listeners.
Revisionist History
Frequency: Complete
Length: 30 minutes
Malcolm Gladwell, writer for the New Yorker, discusses something in history that has been overlooked or misinterpreted, bringing these events or people into the present. While the subjects Gladwell reviews are part of history, he reimagines them in such a way that you can apply the theme to your life.
Literary
Dear Book Nerd
Frequency: Cancelled
Length: 1 hour
Though this podcast no longer updates, it had a good run. Produced by Book Riot and hosted by Rita Meade, this podcast is an excellent listen if you want some bookish advice. Meade answers listener questions about issues like reading faster, finding time to read, exploring new genres, and talking to friends who don't like the same types of books.
Myths and Legends
Frequency: Weekly
Length: Varies, 30–60 minutes
Part literary, part historical. On this podcast, Jason tells famous and not-so-famous tales from history. He covers everything from Greek and Norse mythology to Dracula and King Arthur. If you're a fan of fairy tales and folklore or just want to learn a bit about other cultures, this is a great place to go.
Shipping & Handling
Frequency: Varies
Length: 1 hour
Bridget Smith and Jennifer Udden are two New York-based literary agents who talk books, fandoms, writing, and life as an agent. As someone who has played with the idea of becoming a literary agent, this podcast was a window into what to expect. And the hosts are hysterical. I always look forward to updates from this one, though they aren't posted on a schedule.
Political
KCRW's Left, Right & Center
Frequency: Weekly
Length: 30 minutes
One of the first podcasts I listened to. Each episode features a host and three guests, one from the political left, right, and center. They discuss political events of the past week and share their thoughts. It's a great option if you want less information bias in your life.
Slate's Trumpcast
Frequency: Varies
Length: 30 minutes
Recommended to me by my sister, this podcast is one of my favorites. It's also pretty self-explanatory—Jacob Weisberg, editor in chief of The Slate Group, began this show a few months before Trump won the nomination and hosts a discussion of the latest Trump news. Of course, Slate is quite liberal in its views, and Weisberg makes no effort to hide that, but he does hold fantastic, informed conversations with people across the political spectrum. Here's to another four years.
*Not all podcasts are available on the Google Play store. If you have an Android device, I recommend downloading a podcatcher app.
Blogs I Manage
I began my book blog, Taking Pages, as part of one of my first web design assignments for a class at Emerson. It used Wordpress, which was fantastic and easy to use, but didn't afford me the tools I needed to serve the site the way I wanted. My grammar blog, which is new, is inspired by lessons I've learned through reading books and taking a copyediting class in grad school.
Originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan, I received my Bachelor of Arts in creative writing before moving to Boston to pursue a career in publishing and editorial work. After years of various restaurant jobs, retail positions, and copywriting, I am now settled into life on the East Coast and working toward my Master’s in publishing at Emerson College. When not in class or at work, you can find me cycling, kickboxing, or simply relaxing with a good book and hot cup of tea.
