Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)

Current

• Publications Editor III at Spectrum Health - Grand Rapids
• Editor-in-Chief, The Smoking Poet at The Smoking Poet (Literary Ezine)
• Freelance Writer & Editor at Zinta Aistars: Freelance Writer & Editor, Media Specialist

see less...

Education

• University of Michigan
• Western Michigan University

Recommended

27 people have recommended Zinta

Connections

494 connections

Industry

Hospital & Health Care

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Summary

Zinta is Publications Editor at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. She analyzes developments in specific health care fields to determine need for revisions, corrections, and changes in previously published materials, and development of new material; determines specific or general subject material to be developed for publication; is responsible for patient education brochures and other Grand Rapids hospitals' publications; implements recommendations to improve operational efficiency and new services for areas of responsibility; and contributes to Spectrum Health Today Magazine, Focus on Nursing, SH News, annual reports, and various other electronic and print health care publications.

Zinta is a widely published freelance writer and editor. She is the author of three books, and her articles and poetry have appeared in countless publications. Zinta has served as a reviewer on the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo grants panel in 2008 and again in 2009.

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Specialties:

Zinta is founder and editor-in-chief of the literary ezine, The Smoking Poet ( http://thesmokingpoet.net ); poetry editor for Her Circle Ezine (www.hercircleezine.com); on the editorial board of lnsolent Rudder.

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Experience

• Publications Editor III

  Spectrum Health - Grand Rapids

  (Non-Profit; 10,001 or more employees; Hospital & Health Care industry)

  September 2007 — Present (2 years 3 months)

  Zinta is Publications Editor at Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. She analyzes developments in specific health care fields to determine need for revisions, corrections, and changes in previously published materials, and development of new material; determines specific or general subject material to be developed for publication; is responsible for patient education brochure and other Grand Rapids hospitals publications; implements recommendations to improve operational efficiency and new services for areas of responsibility; provides information to senior levels of management on the implication of policies and procedures being formulated and recommends specific action; and contributes to Spectrum Health Today Magazine and various other electronic and print health care publications.

• Editor-in-Chief, The Smoking Poet

  The Smoking Poet (Literary Ezine)

  (Writing and Editing industry)

  January 2006 — Present (3 years 11 months)

  The Smoking Poet is a literary ezine, circa 2006. We publish flash fiction, fiction, poetry, book reviews, non-fiction, and author/artist interviews that ignite our imagination, inflame our passion, leave us with a smoky aftertaste. We'll also consider the occasional novel excerpt as a special feature. Submit to us your finest flash pieces; we are open to all genres, within good taste. See THE SMOKING POET at www.thesmokingpoet.net for full submission guidelines and deadlines.

• Freelance Writer & Editor

  Zinta Aistars: Freelance Writer & Editor, Media Specialist

  (Writing and Editing industry)

  1980 — Present (29 years )

  Zinta Aistars is the published author of three books. Her work has appeared in Kalamazoo Guide, Greater Guide of Southwest Michigan, Southwest Michigan Living, Kalamazoo Gazette, Kindred Spirits, Encore, Welcome Home, Parade of Homes, Jauna Gaita and the Latvian newspaper Laiks, Xelas Magazine, Impact Times, Cezanne's Carrot, Scriptum, Boston Literary Magazine, Ghoti Fish, Outsider Ink, T-Zero, Menda City Review, Megaera Magazine, Fiction Attic, The Sidewalk's End, Saucy Vox, Ash Canyon Review, ThothWeb, Flash Me Magazine, 63 Channels, Her Circle Ezine, Ascent Aspirations Magazine, The Redbridge Review, River Walk Journal, Flashquake, milk magazine, Word Riot, Bobbing Around, Poems Neiderngasse, The Paper, Poetry Life & Times, and others. Zinta is founder and editor of The Smoking Poet; poetry editor of Her Circle Ezine; and one of a team of editors at Insolent Rudder. She also contributes media relations content to The Stulberg International String Competition.

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Education

• University of Michigan

  B.A. , English with emphasis on creative writing and literature , 1977 — 1979

  Summa cum laude.

• Western Michigan University

  English major curriculum with courses in Library Science and Education 1976 — 1977

  Transferred to U of M to finish degree.

Additional Information

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Interests:

Creative writing, journalism, fiction, poetry, non-fiction, travel, literature, walking/hiking, camping, environment, animal welfare, creative arts, Latvian culture, bookclubs, communications, international literature, literary publications, Tai Chi, painting, art.

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Groups:

Kalamazoo Arts Council, Latvians online, Writers & Editors

•    World Wildlife Fund
•    Facebook.com
•    Blog
•    LinkEds & writers
•    University of Michigan Alumni
•    Writing Mafia
•    Real Women on Health!
•    Goodreads
•    Innovative Marketing, PR, Sales, Word-of-Mouth & Buzz Innovators
•    Informed Ideas For Writers
•    Women & Wine
•    Healthcare & Science Journalist
•    "Write It Down"-A Website for Writers
•    LinkedUp Grand Rapids
•    Freelance Success
•    Green
•    Publishing and editing professionals
•    Public Relations and Communications Professionals
•    Linked Journalists
•    ExpertClick
•    Published Authors Network
•    Fiction Writers Guild
•    The Association for Women in Communications (AWC)
•    Authors of Fiction
•    Friends of Latvia
•    American Latvian Association
•    The Freelance Writers Connection
•    Authors, Writers, Publishers, Editors, and other Professionals
•    The Write Group
•    Defenders of Wildlife
•    Professional Writers
•    Magazine
•    twitter innovators Innovation & Creativity Network of Tweeters
•    Women's National Book Association
•    CUE: College and University Editors
•    Southwest Michigan Business Networking
•    AbsoluteWrite

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Honors:

Zinta is the recipient of the J. Jaunsudrabins Latvian Literary Award, the Erik Raisters Young Latvian Writer's Award, the Goppers Fund Latvian Literary Award. She has won two prizes in both the short story and poetry categories in the Kalamazoo Community Literary Awards 2000, and again First Prize in Poetry in the 2005 Kalamazoo Community Literary Awards. Zinta received a Merit Award in 2005 for her work in communications and media relations.

Zinta Aistars (zintaaistars@yahoo.com)’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• new ventures
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch