Co-Author Moon Prague, Vienna, & Budapest

• Dec 2017 - Present

Author Moon Guide to Prague & Beyond

• Dec 2018 - Present

What Are Moon Guides All About?Moon Travel Guides is a US-based guidebook publisher focused on inclusive, ethical, and sustainable travel. How Do You Write a Guidebook?- Prepare detailed book proposals based on competitive analyses - Research and write listings, itineraries, and cultural tips - Photograph and source images + create custom maps- Approve multiple rounds of copy editing for text, captions, and maps- Maintain relationships with tourism boards and industry professionals- Coordinate with co-author to ensure consistency across tone and voice Show less

Contributing Writer

• Sep 2017 - Present

Co-Editor-in-Chief

• Aug 2014 - Aug 2017

Co-Editor-in-Chief for Bridge MagazineContributing Editor to Gate and Ready Magazines What Does Bridge Publishing House Do?This collection of lifestyle magazines and educational supplements is designed for Central European students (aged 7-20+) who are learning the English language. What Did I Do?(We are a small, dedicated editorial team, so buckle up for a long list of responsibilities.)- Brainstormed, wrote, assigned, and edited stories on news, politics, pop culture, lifestyle, technology, fashion, and entertainment for EFL audiences- Wrote scripts and art direction to create comics versions of classic literature- Identified vocabulary for different CEFR levels and highlighted differences in various Englishes (UK, US, CAN, IRE, AUS, NZ, and more...)- Recruited and trained a kick-ass roster of freelance contributors- Streamlined our house style guide and onboarding materials - Wrote audio scripts + scheduled voice actors and managed in-house recording sessions - Created lesson plans, conversation cards, and creative teaching materials- Coordinated with app designers and IT contractors to create online learning exercises - Maintained relationships and communication with a multilingual team of remote writers, proofreaders, and graphic designers - Was trusted as final proofreader for all three magazines before sending files to an external printing house- Gave standing-room-only presentations at teaching conferences across Central EuropeBridge (B1-B2) is aimed at high school/secondary students and successfully passing the state maturita exam.Gate (A2-B1) is for teenagers and English students at intermediate level. Special focus is on articles about English-speaking countries and pop culture topics.Ready (A1-A2) is for younger learners between 9-14. Texts are carefully calibrated for this language group so that the learners are encouraged to read. Show less

Freelance Writer & Editor

• Jul 2005 - Present

A freelance conundrum: how do you describe a broad body of varied work? Start by breaking it down into smaller pieces. My projects generally fall into four categories: journalism, copywriting, copyediting, and academic editing. I also specialize in working with multilingual writers and editing for international audiences. You Mentioned Journalism? I've written for newspapers, magazines, books, and blogs (not to mention favors for family members). My words appear in London's Evening Standard, The Independent, Brisbane's Courier-Mail, TimeOut, Flydoscope, Estonian World, Cosmopolitan, and Dance Teacher Magazine, among others. Listicles and service journalism often pay the bills, but I really love digging into the research for feature stories and solutions journalism. Common topics include travel, arts, food, lifestyle, education, entertainment, and cultural differences. Portfolio at auburn.contently.com Plus Some Copywriting and Copyediting? I added "award-winning copywriter" to my resume in 2019 for a Czech Tourism campaign that encouraged NYers to close Instagram and "See It Live". I've also crafted 'About' pages for independent restaurants and helped the Prague Fringe Festival describe what a 'fringe festival' is for unfamiliar audiences. My marketing principles: make it fun, clear, inclusive, and accurate. Where Does the Academic Editing Fit In? Academia is a world of fascinating ideas. I've proofread papers on statistics, sociology, political science, and linguistics, to name a few, and particularly love working with multilingual writers. Academic writing doesn't have to mean dry paragraphs filled with "Moreover..." and "Therefore...". Instead, I work with professors and graduate students to catch typos, ensure clarity, preserve the author's voice, and suggest word choices rather than rewriting my interpretation. My work focuses on conscious, inclusive language and multiple approaches to expressing ideas. Show less

Assistant Editor, Sponsored Content

• Jan 2022 - Feb 2023

What is Virtuoso? A global network of luxury travel advisors and industry partners. I was part of a small editorial team that publishes a flagship print magazine, digital stories on Virtuoso.com, and social media content on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. So, what exactly did I do? If editorial content was sponsored by one of Virtuoso's partners (tourism boards, hotels, tour companies, cruise lines), it usually fell under my umbrella. This included: - creating infographics to answer FAQs on the sponsored story process - leading pitch meetings with sponsoring partners - turning story ideas into detailed briefs for freelance writers - expanding our freelance database with a focus on diverse, on-the-ground voices - editing short-form and feature-length travel stories - managing multiple editorial calendars (with color-coded spreadsheets!) - writing social media captions and curating photo/video assets - ensuring that all headlines, content, metadata, social captions, and image descriptions are SEO-optimized, accessible, and inclusive Left role in search of deeper commitments to DEI and sustainable travel Show less

Publishing Assistant / Social Media Manager

• May 2016 - Oct 2016

Um, What Exactly Is Scarlet Speaking? Scarlet was a smartphone app developed in a startup incubator. Using AI software, a digital virtual assistant named Scarlet read daily voice updates for users. These updates could be customized to include news, calendar events, or a daily dose of motivation and mindfulness. What Did I Do? - Curated a selection of daily headlines in various categories: US & world news, politics, sports, good news, business, technology, and health - Edited text to create natural speech patterns for the AI software to read aloud - Managed Facebook and Instagram accounts with a dual focus on technology and mental health Show less

Prague Social Media and Marketing Manager

• Aug 2015 - Jun 2016

Who Is This Eating Europe Company? Eating Europe offers walking food tours and culinary classes in Prague, Rome, Florence, London, and Amsterdam. What Did I Do? - Created Facebook and Instagram content focused on Czech food and local culture - Increased Prague's IG following by 250% and FB following by 75% through organic engagement - Co-hosted Twitter chats and IG takeovers with Czech Tourism - Shared tips with social media managers across all cities during quarterly meetings - Reached out to bloggers and influencers to invite them on our tours - Served as on-the-ground liaison for bloggers and influencers visiting Prague, providing social media assets and answering follow-up questions - Pitched and wrote SEO-optimized blog posts for Eating Prague and Eating Europe Show less

EFL Teacher

• Sep 2011 - Jul 2014

Did You Really Teach English in a Castle?! Ha! Not exactly. Castle English is a professional, family-friendly language school providing individually tailored lessons to children and adults, ranging from conversation practice to Cambridge exam preparation. What Did I Do? - Planned and taught group and one-to-one EFL lessons for children, adults and corporate clients - Developed individual syllabi and lesson plans based on learners’ language levels and interests - Created custom materials, worksheets, and games to enhance traditional textbooks - Kept detailed records of classroom activities and coordinated with co-teachers - Organized and led field trips to museums, zoos, and shopping mall scavenger hunts Show less

Contributing Editor

• Nov 2013 - Jun 2014

Drive Magazine Must Be About Cars, Right? Actually, Drive Magazine is a lifestyle magazine for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners ranging from teens to adults. It's dedicated to providing interesting and engaging content while maintaining a simple but natural voice. What Did I Do? - Pitched and wrote feature articles for an EFL audience at various levels - Copy edited and fact-checked freelance submissions for grammar and style - Contributed ideas on increasing readership to monthly brainstorming meetings Show less

EFL Teacher

• Aug 2012 - Jul 2013

What Does ABB, Elektro-Praga Do? ABB, Elektro-Praga is an electrical and energy technology company that also employs English teachers to provide lessons to their employees and management staff. What Did I Do? - Planned and taught 20+ hrs/week of individual lessons for managers plus group classes for employees in a corporate environment - Developed individual syllabi based on students’ needs and interests using a mix of textbooks, English-language media, and custom materials - Wrote and administered twice-yearly tests to monitor progress Show less

EFL Teacher/Counselor

• Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

What Is an International Summer School? Ardmore Language Schools allow teens from around the world to experience American life for a few months. This includes English lessons and cultural experiences led by a highly-trained and enthusiastic staff while living together in college dorms. What Did I Do? - Planned and taught 15 hrs/week of group lessons for multi-national classes of teenagers - Proctored assessment tests and assisted with placement during rolling enrollment - Suggested and chaperoned American cultural excursions and activities, such as museum visits, movie nights, and student-led fashion shows Show less

Editorial, Events, and Social Media Manager

• Oct 2009 - Feb 2011

What Exactly Is QuallyQue? QuallyQue was a hyper-local community resource devoted to connecting small businesses, neighbors and non-profits in their community. What Did I Do? - Proofread and edited all corporate pages and communication - Completed interviews and wrote profiles of local small businesses - Oversaw multiple social media accounts focused on individual Seattle neighborhoods - Planned and executed promotional activities including flash mobs, Tweetups, and happy hours Show less

Catering Manager/ Event Staff

• 2005 - 2011

The Drama Desk Awards are held yearly to recognize excellence in theater for both Broadway and off-Broadway shows. My duties included: - Casting and organizing 50+ seat fillers for television broadcast - Using on-the-spot problem-solving skills to secure tickets, find props, and fulfill various needs of cast and crew - Managing catering staff and vendors during rehearsals and performance - Planning and ordering meals, beverages and supplies for staff and presenters - Negotiating and comparison shopping for high-quality products on a non-profit budget - Transporting and accounting for custom-designed crystal awards Show less

Contributing Writer

• Apr 2007 - Dec 2009

Woman Around Town began as an Upper East Side Manhattan community newspaper called "New York Woman" and later launched an online venture with a focus on subjects of interest for cosmopolitan women. Assignments included: Interviewing Hillary Clinton's State Senate Director Profiling Women's Media Center Inside the Lives of Movie Extras Bahamas Travel Story Woman Around the World Travel Tips Restaurant & Bar Reviews Theater Reviews Book Reviews Woman Around Town began as an Upper East Side Manhattan community newspaper called "New York Woman" and later launched an online venture with a focus on subjects of interest for cosmopolitan women. Assignments included: Interviewing Hillary Clinton's State Senate Director Profiling Women's Media Center Inside the Lives of Movie Extras Bahamas Travel Story Woman Around the World Travel Tips Restaurant & Bar Reviews Theater Reviews Book Reviews

Online Editor

• Jan 2007 - Apr 2009

INS&OUTS was an independent magazine and website covering arts, culture, music, real estate, technology, and news for the Long Island City community. - Updated website and events calendar using content management system - Proofread and edited freelance submissions for grammar, spelling and tone - Moderated and responded to general email account inquiries - Researched and wrote articles including: Theater Review for "In the Heights" Behind the Scenes at Broadway's "Xanadu" Per Scholas- Recycling Electronics While Retraining Workers Green Maps: Directions to Sustainable Living Independent Music Reviews Local Restaurant Reviews Show less

Guest Services

• Jul 2008 - Nov 2008

Four-star hotel catering to an international clientele, located next to a world-renowned ski resort in Tongariro National Park, New Zealand - Full service bartender for both hotel lounge and fine dining restaurant - Set up and staffed numerous weddings and functions - Completed detailed paperwork for nightly audit, stock take and ordering duties - Built relationships with an international staff including Australian, Austrian, Argentinian, Brazilian, Dutch, German, English, Irish, Scottish, South African and New Zealand citizens Show less

Freelance Press Consultant

• Dec 2006 - Jun 2008

LACDC is a repertory dance company based in downtown Los Angeles that performs a diverse repertoire of modern, ballet and jazz influenced works representative of L.A.’s vibrant culture. - Composed press releases for upcoming performances and events - Copy edited programs and donation brochures for style and content - Provided production support at July 2007 Ford Amphitheater performance LACDC is a repertory dance company based in downtown Los Angeles that performs a diverse repertoire of modern, ballet and jazz influenced works representative of L.A.’s vibrant culture. - Composed press releases for upcoming performances and events - Copy edited programs and donation brochures for style and content - Provided production support at July 2007 Ford Amphitheater performance

Project Advisor/Accounting

• Mar 2005 - Jan 2007

Class Productions is a full-service production company that provides comprehensive planning, entertainment and staging for events ranging from concerts and Broadway events to charity galas and product launches. - Contributed production and stage management support for a variety of high profile events, including VH1 Concerts, Drama Desk Awards, CFDA Awards and 9-11 Commemoration Ceremony - Hired and coordinated freelance production staff for each project and maintained extensive database of updated contact information - Managed event paperwork and budgets, including records of written and verbal communication - Created solutions to various problems as they arose, from credentials to catering, equipment rental to celebrity talent management - Managed company finances, including payroll, reconciling monthly financial statements, and assisting tax preparation Show less

Contributing Writer

• Oct 2005 - Aug 2006

Contributed arts reviews ranging from museum exhibitions to film and music reviews. Attended press screenings and interviews with cast and crew members. Contributed arts reviews ranging from museum exhibitions to film and music reviews. Attended press screenings and interviews with cast and crew members.