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Content Producer
Chicago, IL
Nov 2014 - Present (10 years 1 month)
Produce content for e-learning courses for clients such as Hyatt, The Federal Reserve, Tiffany & Co., Buffalo Wild Wings, and more. Research content to inform instructional design, and write outlines and scripts that translate into immersive, web-based training software.
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Book Critic
Chicago, IL
Oct 2009 - Present (15 years 2 months)
Regularly review books, particularly literary novels, short fiction, debut fiction, and memoirs.
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English and Writing Instructor
Chicago, IL
Feb 2013 - Oct 2014 (1 year 8 months)
Taught upper- and lower-level English Composition courses that explored the self and one’s community. Writing forms included argumentative essay and ethnographic projects that required first-hand research/interviews; fundamentals of analytical, argument, cause and effect, and persuasive essays; assignments that specifically addressed structure, voice, claim, evidence, research practices and analysis, and that explored culture in various forms; creative writing (fiction and personal narratives); and professional writing (résumés, cover letters, interviews, etc.). Integrated use of various online and multimedia sources and other nontraditional curriculums.
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Junior Copywriter
Chicago, IL
Nov 2010 - Oct 2014 (3 years 11 months)
Researched and wrote web-based ad copy, including Google ads, SEO, keyword research, Storify, and Facebook. Clients included Walmart, HP, Kohl’s, GE, Aetna, Samsung, Lexus, and Fandango, among many others.
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Co-Founder / Editor
Chicago, IL
Jun 2009 - Jun 2014 (5 years)
Solicited writers, responded to submissions, edited content, and interviewed authors. Published content on a monthly basis online and annual basis in print. Engaged in online, local and national literary events and organizations to promote cause within strict budget and with minimal staff.
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Book Critic
Brooklyn, NY
Sep 2011 - Feb 2014 (2 years 5 months)
Reviewed multiple books on a regular basis; specialized in literary novels, short fiction, history, religion, biography, and memoir.
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College English Instructor
Chicago, IL
Aug 2011 - Dec 2013 (2 years 4 months)
Designed syllabus for upper- and lower-level courses that focus on exploring the self and one’s community. Upper-level course began with the argumentative essay and transitioned to ethnographic projects that required first-hand research/interviews; covered fundamentals of analytical, argument, cause and effect, and persuasive essays; created assignments that specifically addressed structure, voice, claim, evidence, research practices and analysis, and that explored culture in various forms.
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Bookseller
Chicago, IL
Apr 2008 - May 2013 (5 years 1 month)
Recommended books to customers; hosted and sold books for in-store and offsite events throughout Chicago. Assisted owner in administrative decisions, such as hiring, ordering, and inventory. Wrote store ads that ran in the Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago, The Onion, The Chicago Reader, and other print and online venues.
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Editorial Assistant
Ann Arbor, MI
Aug 2009 - Jul 2010 (11 months)
Read and reviewed book submissions to guide editors toward potential publications. Performed other editorial tasks as needed.
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Private Instructor
Chicago, IL
Sep 2008 - May 2009 (8 months)
Designed syllabus for a one-on-one course that includes personalized reading and writing assignments for each student; created a variety of free-writing and oral and written storytelling exercises to stimulate the subconscious, awaken all five senses, and address specific writing skills, such as voice, plot, structure, and syntax; developed major assignments where components add up to a draft of a story; used published work for imitation exercises and to improve analytical thinking and vocabulary.
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Assistant General Manager
Chattanooga, TN
May 2003 - Dec 2006 (3 years 7 months)
Assigned tasks, coordinated events and directed store meetings. Maintained employee scheduling; interviewed job candidates; managed store budget.
Also worked as bookseller in Virginia and Tennessee from 1998 to 2000.