Independent Writing and Communications Professional
Huntsville, Alabama Area
- Current
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- Freelance Writer and Editor at self-employed
- Past
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- Blogger at BabyCenter.com
- Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator at Baton Rouge Parents Magazine
- Advertising Writer and Designer at Murray Ledger & Times
- Copy editor and writer at The Murray State News
- Teaching Assistant at Murray State University
- Education
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- Murray State University
- Recommended
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Alyson McNutt English’s Summary
I am an award-winning, internationally published freelance writer with wide-ranging experience writing for a variety of prominent print, online, custom and trade publications. I write often about health, business, home, parenting, technology and "green" topics, but I truly believe that a good writer's greatest asset isn't a preexisting expertise in any given area, but rather an deep curiosity, intellectual resourcefulness, and an authentic understanding of her audience and what they need.
I also specialize in web writing. I understand the need for web-friendly formatting and SEO optimization, and I'm also fairly handy with HTML. I'm also a social networking natural who can navigate the ins and outs of Facebook, Twitter and other web 2.0 phenoms.
In addition to my writing expertise, I am also an experienced editor: I managed freelance writers, made and collected story assignments and performed chief copy editing duties for an award-winning regional publication (50,000+ circ.)
I also have a background in education, and I have a deep, authentic understanding of teacher's issues, pedagogical methodology and everyday issues like classroom management, lesson planning and keeping students engaged.
Alyson McNutt English’s Specialties:
"Green" topics, health, medical, safety, business, parenting, family, pregnancy, development, education, home decorating and improvement, nutrition, technology, consumer electronics, real estate, environment, sports, custom, branded content, trade, B2B, B2C, copywriting, editing, copy editing, non-profit, SEO, online, social media, corporate communications, business writing, training programs, manuals, technical communication
Alyson McNutt English’s Experience
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Freelance Writer and Editor
self-employed
(Writing and Editing industry)
September 2006 — Present (2 years 11 months)
I've written pieces for Self, AARP The Magazine, Kiwi, Organize, Conceive, Parenting, Pregnancy, Fit Pregnancy, Wondertime, and Relish, as well as such high-profile online destinations like EverydayHealth.com, HGTV.com, Bankrate.com, BobVila.com, FrontDoor.com, MSNBC.com, and BabyCenter.com. I am knee-deep in new media, as well: I was one of the launching bloggers at BabyCenter.com's popular "Momformation" blog, and I've written for widely-read email newsletters like Disney's IdealBite.
I have extensive experience writing for custom publishing clients. I've written for many major custom publishers and top publications, including Meredith Integrated Marketing's Solutions at Hand (Client: Idearc/Verizon) and GoodNeighbor (Client: State Farm), Brand Spankin' News' Delight! (Client: Comcast) and Hammock Inc.'s MyBusiness (Client: National Federation of Independent Businesses). I've gotten "repeat business" from each of these publishers.
I've also written for well-known trade/B2B publications like industry-leading Pizza Today as well as the well-respected REALTOR Magazine.
I was a contributing writer (ghost) to the Conceive Magazine Fertility Facts book (Chronicle, Sept. 2008). I'm a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) and Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ).
I've also worked with internationally recognized humanitarian organization Save The Children, editing an annual report for the donor of a multi-million-dollar grant-funded project focusing on educating underserved populations in Bangladesh and Yemen. -
Blogger
BabyCenter.com
(Writing and Editing industry)
July 2007 — March 2009 (1 year 9 months)
I was hired as one of the inaugural team members for BabyCenter's Momformation blog. I blogged about my family and experiences as a mom, as well as green parenting, weight loss, health, mothering a gifted child and product reviews.
*Experience with WordPress
*SEO optimization, particularly of headlines
*Posts were linked on sites like People.com's popular "Celebrity Baby Blog." -
Copy Editor and Editorial Coordinator
Baton Rouge Parents Magazine
(Media Production industry)
February 2006 — September 2006 (8 months)
* Conceptualized story ideas and assigned stories
* Hired and supervised contributing writers
* Worked closely with graphic designer to redesign sections of the magazine and to collaborate on design elements in featured stories
* Worked with marketing and advertising departments to stay abreast of trends in readership and market direction, adjusting topics and angles accordingly to maximize appeal to our target audience
* Edited all stories, adding sidebars, research, quotations and other information as necessary using Chicago Style-based guidelines. -
Advertising Writer and Designer
Murray Ledger & Times
(Newspapers industry)
May 2001 — September 2001 (5 months)
Worked primarily on seasonal special section. Created and wrote copy for advertisements, working with marketing representatives to render the ideal advertisement for each client. I designed visually appealing and eye-catching ads using Adobe Photoshop and Quark on Apple computers.
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Copy editor and writer
The Murray State News
(Newspapers industry)
September 1999 — December 2000 (1 year 4 months)
As a copy editor at the award-winning Murray State News, I edited the entire newspaper for AP style, effective writing and attractive design. In addition to copy editing, I also wrote feature stories, sports stories, news stories and editorials. (I won awards for my feature writing and editorial writing.)
As an independent study project, I also created an updated stylebook for The Murray State News. -
Teaching Assistant
Murray State University
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
August 1999 — May 2000 (10 months)
Assisted in teaching ENG 095 and ENG 111. I was the only undergraduate student hired in this capacity. I collaborated with supervising teacher to cover basic English topics and to help students learn to better formulate and organize their essays.
Alyson McNutt English’s Education
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Murray State University
English , Creative Writing, English Education, Journalism , 1996 — 2003
Finished coursework for English Creative Writing degree with Journalism minor in 2001; became certified in secondary English education from 2001-2003
- Activities and Societies:
- Alpha Omicron Pi, Student Ambassadors, Fall Orientation Counselor, Residential College Council, Murray State News (sports, features, and opinion writer and copy editor)
Additional Information
Alyson McNutt English’s Websites:
Alyson McNutt English’s Interests:
photography, child development, children's literature, educational psychology, technology trends
Alyson McNutt English’s Honors:
**New**
2007 Parenting Publications of America, GOLD award, Best Essay ("Bad Mommy, Bad!")
2007 Parenting Publications of America, GOLD award, Best Investigative piece (The Shortage of Quality Day Care in Baton Rouge -- co-author)
Kentucky Press Association, Best Business/Agribusiness Story (Associate Member papers), 2000
Kentucky Intercollegiate Press Association Honorable Mention, general interest, 1999 & 2000
Best Student Essays, Winner for College of Education, Murray State University, 2003
Best Student Essays, Winner for College of Humanities and Fine Arts, Murray State University, 2001
Scholars Day Presenter, “Student Teaching Portfolios,” Murray State University, 2003
English Department Senior Symposium Presenter, 2000
Alyson McNutt English’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
