Independent Writing and Editing Specialist
Greater Los Angeles Area
- Past
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- Editor of Victorian Homes magazine at APG-Media
- Founding Editor of Cottages & Bungalows magazine at APG-Media
- Senior Editor of Victorian Homes and Romantic Homes magazines at APG-Media
- Publisher at The Word for Today
- Designer at Occidental College
- Designer/Production Coordinator at Focus on the Family
- Designer at PJS Publications
- Education
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- Northern Illinois University
- Connections
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65
connections
- Industry
- Publishing
- Websites
Merrie Destefano’s Summary
A highly motivated, detail-oriented individual with 20 years experience in multi-media publishing/ broadcasting, advertising, and promotion. Experience developing new products, performing market research and recommending new projects to upper management. Chief contact with authors, illustrators, photographers and freelance writers. Excellent writing, editing, and proofing skills. Strong creative abilities. Goal-oriented team player with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. Creative problem solver. Works well in a fast-paced environment.
Merrie Destefano’s Experience
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Editor of Victorian Homes magazine
APG-Media
(Publishing industry)
October 2005 — April 2009 (3 years 7 months)
• Develop yearly editorial calendar, assign magazine articles to writers, maintain deadlines and budgets, and work closely with advertising and circulation departments.
• Write, produce and edit feature stories for three nationally distributed home decor magazines with combined circulations of 250,000.
• Contributing editor for Romantic Homes, Cottages & Bungalows, Lodges and Lofts magazines.
• Duties also include hiring photographers, styling photo shoots, selecting images for magazine and working with art director on redesign of magazine. -
Founding Editor of Cottages & Bungalows magazine
APG-Media
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
April 2006 — October 2006 (7 months)
Developed and created launch publication, Cottages & Bungalows magazine. Researched target market and competing publications to create niche magazine for owners of small historic homes. Worked closely with art director to design magazine. This start-up publication successfully exceeded its pro forma expectations, and is now a bi-monthly magazine.
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Senior Editor of Victorian Homes and Romantic Homes magazines
APG-Media
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Technology and Services industry)
December 2003 — October 2005 (1 year 11 months)
• Wrote and produced feature stories for two nationally distributed home decor magazines (Romantic Homes and Victorian Homes) with circulations of 120,000 and 75,000.
• Duties also included researching articles, interviewing homeowners and styling photos.
• Edited manuscripts by contributing and staff editors.
• Proofed bluelines.
• Scouted homes, stores and events for potential story leads.
• Liaison between Y-Visionary and book publishers, as well as outside public relations, marketing and advertising personnel. -
Publisher
The Word for Today
(Publishing industry)
January 2000 — April 2003 (3 years 4 months)
• Supervised publishing department.
• Developed 37 new products, which increased sales revenue over $400,000.
• Increased conference revenue approximately $14,000.
• Promotional strategies increased the yearly sales of Halloween: Trick or Treat (a 20-year-old video) from $3,000 to $22,000.
• New product development includes the book, The Man God Uses, by Pastor Chuck Smith.
• Supervised translation and publication of projects into foreign languages.
• Responsible for purchasing print, maintaining budgets, writing proposals, presenting new products to upper management and copywriting of product packaging. -
Designer
Occidental College
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Higher Education industry)
August 1991 — February 1993 (1 year 7 months)
• Responsible for print quotes and buying.
• Supervised 2 student workers.
• Designed bi-weekly newspaper.
• Created illustrations for award-winning alumni magazine.
• Generated concept, design and illustrations for promotional materials for a variety of Performing Arts and Alumni Departments, as well as Major Giving Department fund raising events. -
Designer/Production Coordinator
Focus on the Family
(Non-Profit; 1001-5000 employees; Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
June 1989 — February 1991 (1 year 9 months)
• Scheduled film print media including budget, quotes and print buying.
• Responsible for arranging photo shoots and securing models; hiring photographers and illustrators.
• Designed layouts for Brio, Breakaway and Clubhouse magazines. -
Designer
PJS Publications
(Publishing industry)
February 1986 — March 1989 (3 years 2 months)
Developed promotional materials for five magazines (Crafts, Profitable Craft Merchandising, Shooting Times, Sew News, and Rotor & Wing, International) with circulations of 60,000 to 380,000.
Merrie Destefano’s Education
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Northern Illinois University
Fine Art 1973 — 1977
Additional Information
Merrie Destefano’s Websites:
Merrie Destefano’s Interests:
Science fiction, fantasy, books with well-developed characters and brilliant prose, writing, reading, animals, Diet Coke, anything or anyone who makes me laugh, superheroes, Coldplay, a walk in the forest, human rights, animal rights, and random acts of kindness performed on a regular basis.
Merrie Destefano’s Groups:
The Writer's View, High Calling Blogs, FIRST Blog Alliance, Orange County Christian Writer's Fellowship, Christian Science Fiction and Fantasy (CSSF) Blog Tour
Merrie Destefano’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
