IN the beginning
Books, words, and writing have been constants in my life. I was a bookworm at an early age, won an award for a poetry anthology in high school, and even owned a bookstore. But it was the words that became a magnet, drawing me to freelance writing. It just took me a while to realize this was what I was meant to do.
I started working in office admin roles. Every time I was hired, the person I worked for wanted to offload writing from their job description and I was eager to take it on. When one of the jobs ended, I took leap of faith and volunteered as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper.
I was quickly offered a job as staff editor for a weekly newspaper (this time for pay). Later I landed a contract as assistant editor at a lifestyle magazine. When the contract ended, editors for three publications asked me to take on freelance writing assignments, saying what I heard over and over again: “We love your writing style.” It’s been more than 20 years and I’m still doing what I love!
IN Print
I’ve written hundreds of thousands of words gracing the pages of print and online publications on a diverse range of topics including technology, real estate, business advice, retail sales, parenting, meditiation, mindfulness, freelance writing, grief, franchising, and so much more.
My articles have appeared in the Western News, Connect Meetings, Next Avenue, Headspace, Conveniencecentral, Make A Living Writing, ChefConnexion, Costco Connection, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, Today’s Parent, Ivey Intouch Alumni Magazine, Western Alumni Magazine, Your Convenience Manager and Octane, Franchise Canada, Your Foodservice Manager, Canadian Retailer, Business London Magazine, London Inc., The London Free Press, Canadian Grocer, and many more.
IN Business
I’ve worked with a wide range of business, educational institutions, and non-profit clients including Ivey School of Business, Silver Chef, 3M Canada, Investor’s Group, Western University Faculty of Law and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, TechAlliance, Pillar Nonprofit Network, Canada Special Olympics, Mike & Mike’s Organics, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, Thames Valley Children’s Centre, Shared Hierarchical Academic Research Computing Network (SHARCNET), and many more.
INvolved
- Member of American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA)
- Member of Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG).
- Former Member, Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC): 20+ years until PWAC amalgamated with the Canadian Media Guild Freelance Branch (April 2020), forming the Canadian Freelance Guild (CFG). Sat on the national Board of Directors for six years, and local Executive for 15 years. Held the position of President on both.
- Former member, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC). Past local board member and co-editor of the chapter’s newsletter.
- Former member, Toastmasters International: Received Competent Communicator (CC) and Competent Leadership (CL) designations and was chapter board member, Media Relations.
IN Recognition
- Only individual to have won the Professional Writers Association of Canada Lawrence Jackson Outstanding Achievement Award (for outstanding volunteer commitment) twice
- IABC Virtuoso Award of Excellence for features and editorial
- IABC Virtuoso Award of Merit for newsletters
IN Addition
- Instructor for Western’s Continuing Studies Program since 2006 teaching Writing for Publication and Copywriting
- Completed the Professional Certificate in Adult Education, Western University
Let's talk!
Do you need a professional writer to create content for a magazine article, online post or customer case study?
Are you interested in finding out how to become a freelance writer?
Contact me and let’s get started!