Overview
As a structural editor, I’m adept at helping authors tell their stories in creative and engaging ways, with rhythm and pacing that capture the attention of readers. Yet my past as proofreader and copyeditor at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt guarantees the eagle eyes needed to set right issues of grammar, and consistency of tone or brand.
I’m especially proficient in the topics of science and sports, where my vast educational and acquired experience provides a broad base of knowledge that enables me to intrinsically recognize when facts or data needs to be queried or changed. I have an MS in Science Journalism, and have edited science titles such as National Geographic’s Dr. E’s Super Stellar Solar System. I also wrote about fantasy football for five years with Sports Illustrated (SI.com), and have edited sports titles like Sports Illustrated Kids Big Book of Who—Football.
Real-world experience makes me a well-rounded editor. For five years I was the media producer and writer in the exhibition department at the American Museum of Natural History. There, I learned how to bring creative and interactive projects through to fruition. I am also a writer in my own right. I’ve penned feature articles for National Geographic Explorer for years, and firmly believe that my dedication to craft on the other side of the creative ledger helps me communicate more effectively with other writers as an editor. I get the desire to keep a publishing dream alive. And I understand why authors want to tell their stories in specific ways. I’ve learned over the years that in editing, as in writing, it’s important to slay your dunces, not kill your darlings. The personality and truth of writing cannot be sacrificed.
Services
Non-Fiction
Languages
Work experience
The Alliance for Decision Education
I managed the content pipeline for the Alliance, and wrote or produced case studies, interactive content, blog posts, videos and external messaging for the Alliance for Decision Education, a nonprofit whose goal is to establish the desire and practice in our society to teach all students from K-12 about the four Domains of decision education (Structuring Decisions, Recognizing and Resisting Cognitive Biases, Valuing and Applying Rationality, and Thinking Probabilistically). In addition to creating content, I also developed the company Style Guide, helped create the new company website, and edited and copyedited materials from all departments.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF)
As manager of research communications at JDRF, I was responsible for writing research reports that targeted large donors by providing them with exclusive content. Weekly, I provided nuggets of information for our social team from our science team, and wrote and edited blogs for the company’s website. I also oversaw large multimedia projects. For one of our key initiatives, we interviewed 13 scientists at eight institutions in Boston to provide our audience with a nuanced understanding of the multiple lines of research that our donors funded. I directed a team of videographers to give our audiences behind-the-scenes access to scientists’ labs. I then wrote video treatments and produced two entire lines of videos, Inside the Lab, which showcased specific research, and Meet the Scientists, which provided more information about the personalities of our funded scientists. Both videos got viewers excited about the researchers’ stories without losing them in technical jargon.
American Museum of Natural History
Developed digital interactives and produced films for the museum's exhibitions. Edited writers and wrote copy.
Example Exhibitions
• T. rex: The Ultimate Predator
o T-rex Touch Table: Researched, wrote and developed game play for eight fossil modules related to Tyrannosaurus on an interactive table
• Unseen Oceans
o Scientist Videos: Produced seven videos that featured scientists exploring the ocean or working to promote conservation initiatives
• Our Senses
o Live Presentation: Produced a 15-minute live presentation about our senses, which includes activities for the live audiences
• The Secret World Inside You
o Interactive Table: Researched/wrote 17 stories of ecological interactions between microorganisms and the human body in oversize interactive table
Time for Kids magazine
• Managed K-1 editorial calendar and wrote all accompanying content
• Developed teacher’s guide tips and worksheets, with Common Core in mind
• Wrote and edited articles (grades 3-6) for the print and digital editions of the magazine
• Wrote stories for
Self-employed
• Edit projects like the online exhibition about Beba Epstein for the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research
• Write sports books for Lerner like Football’s GOAT – Jim Brown, Tom Brady and more
• Write environment articles for National Geographic Explorer magazine
• Write science books for A-Z Science
Mazer Creative Services
• Edited teacher’s edition (grade 6&8) of earth and physical science manuscript for Prentice Hall
• Edited teacher and pupil edition content for National Geographic’s Monster Storms Exploring the Powerful Forces of Weather JASON Project pilot
Portfolio
Joe has 9 reviews
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Sep, 2024
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Oct, 2023
Marianne J.
Jun, 2023
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