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JUDITH WEST Writer-Editor / Project Developer _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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phone/fax 773.338.8813 • judith(at)judithwest.com • Chicago, IL 60645 |
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Profile |
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— Dynamic communicator • Strategic thinker • Resourceful problem-solver — committed
to helping people Maximize what they have and Create what they need _______________________________________________ • Creative thinker . . . generating fresh ideas, designing strategies, and cultivating resources to build solutions and shape thought • Skilled writer-editor-researcher . . . making complex material and new concepts accessible, compelling, and memorable • Versatile leader and collaborator . . . connecting with people, fostering diversity, and listening actively to develop successful teams |
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Professional Experience |
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WRITER-EDITOR-RESEARCHERIndependent Professional (1981-present) |
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Ÿ Created promotional and business copy—including websites, brochures, sales letters, jacket blurbs, press releases, email blasts, social networking—to boost profits and traffic for businesses, nonprofits, and independent professionals Ÿ Tracked and reported specialized information and competitive intelligence for clients and projects ranging from TV talk-show prep to industry updates to career resources Ÿ Restructured, updated, and internationalized long-form reference articles for secondary school students on aesthetics, storytelling, cinema arts and sciences, drama, children’s literature, and more Ÿ Wrote feature articles and opinion pieces for publishing trade periodicals Ÿ Designed and led workshops and programs to sharpen skills and extend knowledge for trade and nonprofit groups
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AUDIOBOOK PRODUCER-CONSULTANTAudioTransitions (sole proprietor, 1999-present) |
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Ÿ Produced audiobooks for new and established publishers, from hiring talent to monitoring quality of final master Ÿ Narrated fiction and nonfiction audiobooks for major audio publishers, garnering enthusiastic reviews Ÿ Originated scripts and abridged books for the audiobook market (2004 Audie Award nominee) Ÿ Advised small publishers, Fortune 100 firms, and individuals on audio publishing and production Ÿ Coached actors in performance technique, dialects, and audiobook narration
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SPECIAL PROJECTS DEVELOPEREncyclopædia Britannica (1995-2003) |
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Ÿ Conceived and developed award-winning multivolume children’s reference products, directing interdepartmental and freelance content team of 20, moving from concept to completion in nine months (2004 Assoc. of Educational Publishers award; 2005 Parents’ Choice Award) Ÿ Guided new India publisher’s editorial division in final stages of first product—restructured workflow and review process, upgraded training, and clarified guidelines and goals—reducing costs and minimizing press delays Ÿ Chaired cross-departmental team in proposing new EB print products. Over 60% of recommendations implemented Ÿ Developed and published customized editorial software training, saving $30,000 and winning employee acceptance Ÿ Created tools, systems, and as-needed technical coaching for editors and writers in computer and Internet use, increasing efficiency and safeguarding deadlines and project budgets |
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COPY EDITOR & SUPERVISOREncyclopædia Britannica (1981-2002) |
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Ÿ Edited, wrote, and researched thousands of reference articles, literally A to Z, on a vast range of topics in the arts, history, literature, the sciences, and popular culture Ÿ Trained and supervised incoming copy editors in house style and procedures, grammar and usage guidelines, and research and fact-checking protocols Ÿ Managed 3- to 12-person editorial teams, both staff and freelance, in processing over a dozen in-depth Web features on widely varying topics, from Shakespeare to roller coasters to dinosaurs Ÿ Shouldered added responsibilities during times of transition, twice prompting creation of new position to accommodate expanded duties
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THEATRE DIRECTOR /SPEECH & PERFORMANCE INSTRUCTOR |
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Northeastern Illinois University, 1980-1985 |
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Ÿ Coached student actors in literary analysis, interpretation, and performance technique Ÿ Directed university theatre group, developing a regionally recognized performance ensemble by increasing mainstage and day-touring productions and coordinating participation in conferences and festivals Ÿ Created original scripts and stage adaptations of a variety of authors — including Hammett, Vonnegut, Coward, Jean Rhys, Fitzgerald, Kerouac, and Charlotte Brontë — and on topics such as language and poetry
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Loyola University, 1979-1980 |
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Ÿ Taught university courses on public speaking, group communication, and literary study through performance
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Education & Professional Development |
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Professional Affiliations |
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Portfolio of samples and references available at www . judithwest.com/JWest-Portfolio.htm |
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