After 5+ years of working on my (hopeful) debut novel, I beat approximately <0.06% odds to sign with a literary agency for my parallel career as an author. Skills used thus far:Outlined, drafted, gutted, edited, and revised own 90,000-word fiction manuscript, MOUNTAIN SOUNDS.Researched complex concepts, compiled reports, and conducted interviews to inform narrative.Solicited and incorporated feedback from range of beta and sensitivity readers.Organized and executed plot changes with screenwriting/novel techniques and softwares such as Scrivener, Final Draft, Save the Cat, and more.Performed market research using Publisher's Marketplace, QueryTracker, and other resources.Pitched literary agents with a 67% request rate (QT average: 6.5%) for more pages (32/48). Soon to:Complete revisions with literary agency.Work with film agent(s) to translate pitch and novel for potential screen adaptation(s).Submit to U.S. and foreign publishing houses.Represented by Eve Attermann and Rivka Bergman.

Shared stories and recommendations for living a chic life outdoors.

Running a monthly books column focused on new and relevant releases for the Well+Good audience beginning April 2023.

Your new friend with damn good taste -- curating the web's best direct-to-consumer brands for today's modern consumer. Conceptualizes, pitches, and writes a high volume of first-person reviews, SEO roundups, timely sale coverage, and trend-based features on tight deadlines.Uses Google trends, cultural events, consumer behavior, and affiliate retail sources to inform content and product selection.Coordinates coverage with extensive network of PR contacts.Creates UGC (user-generated content) photo and video for organic usage.Strategized, launched, solicits content from freelancers for, and edits Quality Reads vertical.Published first pieces in Late Checkout, a new travel vertical launched Summer 2022.Spearheading bi-weekly trend-spotting column deconstructing the latest on TikTok and Instagram: TQE FYP, launched February 2023.Selected verticals: travel, books, style, home, fitness, food and drink, beauty, wellness, and more.Selected pieces attached.

I help brands, agencies, destinations, and influential figures reach their consumers through creative strategy, brand development, visual assets, and compelling copy. Creates organic digital campaigns, art direction, and community building strategies for clients.Designs and edits websites, visual assets, copy, and creative assets for web and social.Analyzes and presents research to develop data-informed recommendations, brand voices, and other guidelines.Accounts include: PopSockets, Ours, The August Diaries, The Gut Health MD, Hana Koa Brewing Co., ABC Stores, Done Neatly, and more.www.wlsgrace.com/services/

In April 2011, I created a book review blog specializing in young adult fiction, psychology, social histories, and culture. Over the past 11 years, I've grown and maintained a loyal readership with a high engagement rate. My book taste reflects my interest in a “strong sense of place.”Creates, writes, and curates content about books, psychology, aesthetics, and culture based on reading 100+ books annually.Curates a strong social media presence informed by analytics:-Instagram: 5.0k followers-Pinterest: 4.5m monthly viewers (37900% increase in <2 months)Schedules, designs, and plans content for Instagram, Pinterest, and Squarespace using Asana, Planoly, and Tailwind.Photographs and collaborates with publishing houses and lifestyle brands including Arhaus, Paperless Post, Public Goods, and more.www.wordslikesilver.com

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Writing commerce content via News & Deals on the Home & Entertainment team across Real Simple, Southern Living, and Better Homes & Gardens. As of 9/23, have individually generated $980k+ in sales across my reviews not including earnings from cost-per-click or incentive campaigns.

“Mark Ellwood is a a NY-based journalist focusing on luxury in all its forms: travel, art, fashion, food and beverage, and more. He is a contributing editor to Conde Nast Traveler, and an editor-at-large for luxury bible Robb Report. He is also a columnist for Bloomberg Luxury and the creator and co-host of Bloomberg’s Travel Genius podcast. Mark is also an ongoing contributor to Wall Street Journal and New York Times and the author of Bargain Fever: How to Shop in a Discounted World.A frequent television host and contributor, Mark is a regular guest on NBC’s TODAY show as a travel expert guiding viewers to the best travel and flight deals available to destinations around the world and has also reported for NBC News and TODAY from the last three Olympics.”Assists with research projects bound for AFAR, Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg, New York Post, Financial Times, Robb Report, and more — including identifying ideal sources, tracking down contacts, corresponding with PRs, making luxury hotel selections, and preparing extensive research packets via NEXIS and similar.Prepares packets and pitches for NATJA Awards on behalf of him and Robb Report.Assists with administration and logistics.Attached pieces are ones for which I assembled intensive research and contributed significant hotel/itinerary selections.

Reason for pause: had to pause contributing in September 2022 so as to take a different contracted position as a Commerce Writer under the parent company, Dotdash Meredith.

Strategized, briefed designers, scheduled, and executed Instagram content via Asana, Planoly, and Slack.Scheduled and created Pinterest content via Tailwind emphasizing SEO keywords.Researched, wrote, and edited copy for top-performing posts.Created and sourced edited photo and video assets in alignment with voice and visual identities.Generated social media analyses and reports for accounts.Accounts include: Sofia Vergara, DockATot, Pat McGrath Labs, etc,.

Accounts include: DockATot, Aristot, Tejari, Urban Ashram, etc,.

Pitched, coordinated, and produced both long-form and short-form content to engage 8k+ followers across platforms.Developed social media strategy and brand guidelines for the student team.Staged and organized creative events, photo, and video shoots.

Assembled and taught lesson plans for weekly Dance Fusion classes in Washington and Lee University's Group Exercise division.Tailored exercises to target muscle groups and needs.Choreographed routines based on experience training at studios responsible for viral dance video content, including Millennium Dance Complex, The Playground LA, and The Underground Dance Centre.

Elected by peers to manage a $500,000 budget for all student groups.Enforced Washington and Lee’s single-sanction Honor System by presiding over Closed Hearings.Advised, recognized, and oversaw 80+ student organizations.Drafted and passed university policies, informed by aggregated survey data.Created initiatives to improve first-generation student welfare.Appointed students to university committees.Previously: single appointed Class Representative from 2016-2017. One of two appointed Class Representatives from 2017-2018.

Edited manuscripts for content, grammar, style, and structure.Provided guidance during the publication process for authors signed by major literary agencies and publishing houses.Significant clients: Emiko Jean — author of TOKYO EVER AFTER (Flatiron Books 2021, Reese’s Book Club YA Pick)Lindsay Cummings — author of #1 NYT bestselling ZENITH (Harlequin Teen 2018)Kimberly Sabatini — author of TOUCHING THE SURFACE (Simon Pulse 2012)Leah Clifford — author of A TOUCH MORTAL (Greenwillow 2011)

Managed a cabin and oversaw personal welfare of 8-10 middle school girls.Mediated disputes and mentored campers.Coordinated events, travel, and scheduling.Taught and headed activity periods including woodworking, ceramics, dance, and archery.Hosted camp-wide evening programs for approximately 300 girls.

Reviewed materials submitted to the agency.Wrote comprehensive reports of materials.Drafted copy for rights catalogs and pitches in preparation for international book fairs.Assisted senior literary agent.

Checked customers out with Lightspeed.Stayed up-to-date on inventory and suggested products to customers.Publicized special events such as book fairs, craft bazaars, etc,.Organized shelves and maintained aesthetic of bookstore environment.Communicated with other divisions of Oxford Exchange.Closed the register and organized end-of-day reports.Moderated and managed a free monthly teen-oriented book club.