publications page

Copy editing Writing Photography Publication projects

As a freelance publication manager and as a managing editor for Thomson Newspapers, I have guided numerous special publications from concept to the printing press.
These projects included planning subject matter, assigning stories to staff and freelancers, editing and rewriting copy, developing the overall design, paginating most of the pages and overseeing production of camera-ready pages for the printer.

Of course, weekly production of the Coast Press, the largest circulation community newspaper in Delaware's prime oceanfront resort, and the Beachcomber, the resort's most prominent tourist publication, were special projects in their own right. For samples from those publications, click here, or for details about my experience working on them, check my resume.

One-time publications that focus on a specific topic require different planning and organizational skills than a regularly published newspaper or magazine.
Here's an overview of some of the special publications I have produced:

A large two-part project I developed for Thomson Newspapers featured 52-page magazine-style publications about the Delmarva Peninsula, which I planned, designed and paginated. I wrote most of the copy, assigned, edited and rewrote other stories, and provided camera-ready pages to the printer. Volume I focused on many aspects of Delmarva's history, such as its economy, maritime roots and native people. Volume II peered into the future of the region through the eyes of many of its residents. To see samples from these publications, click on either volume: Volume I Volume II

I produced two "issue books" for a coalition working to develop ways to reduce water pollution in Delaware's Inland Bays and the Nanticoke River. The projects were efforts of the University of Delaware, the Center for the Inland Bays and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control. In addition to writing overviews of the water pollution problem and various scenarios for reducing it, based on the work of several technical writers, I also created numerous charts and graphs, designed and paginated the 32-page books and created shorter "issue briefs." The issue books were used by citizens and officials at public forums on water pollution, and led to the development of new strategies for improving water quality. For a sample of the Inland Bays issue book, click here. For a sample of the Nanticoke River book, click here.

Senior Lifestyle, a Thomson publication, looked at the growing senior citizen population in coastal Sussex County, Delaware. It included stories on such topics as health, exercise, investments, assisted living and senior center activities.

Toward 2000, also a Thomson publication, assessed the rapid growth in coastal Sussex County, Delaware, as it approached the turn of the century. The special publication included coverage of population increases, commercial development, residential growth and the blossoming of such industries as tourism, real estate and medical services.

I have also produced smaller special publications, such as newsletters and brochures. For samples of that work, click here.