Garbl's Pencil

Meeting your needs

I can help you and your organization by writing or editing materials like these:

• annual reports, project reports, status reports
• announcements and invitations
• banners and posters
• booklets and brochures
• books and graduate school theses (editing only)
• communication plans
• displays and signs
• editorial style guidelines
• feature articles
• event fliers, marketing fliers
• guest editorials and op-eds
• instructions and procedures
• key messages and mission statements
• letters and memos
• news releases
• newsletters
• newspaper advertisements
• plans and proposals
• PowerPoint presentations
• public service announcements
• speeches and talking points
• Web pages.

In addition, I can train you and your staff on the principles of plain English, aka plain language, and consult with you and your staff on developing an editorial style manual. I also can take and edit high-quality photographs to meet your publication needs.

Working together

I'm especially interested in working with and for progressive firms, agencies and nonprofit organizations that support the environment, the arts, health, education, and other human services. I want to write, edit and teach for a good cause. I want to be an advocate.

If you'd like me to do work for you, please send me an email message at Garbl's Pencil. We can talk later when needed.

As we discuss your writing or editing needs and project, I'll be asking questions like these:

• Who are you trying to reach (your audience)?
• What are you trying to accomplish by producing this document for them (your purpose)?
• What do you want readers to do with the information provided in your document (their actions)?
• What are your employee needs for enhancing and focusing their writing?

Of course, we'll also talk about your deadlines, my rates and schedule, and other contract necessities. And I'll advise you about how I can best provide you with materials that meet your needs. Please see the section below about my clear, concise writing and editing.

I'll consider a discounted rate for nonprofit organizations with limited budgets.

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My experience

I have written, edited and published materials like those listed above in a variety of positions for various organizations:

• media relations specialist, employee communications editor and capital projects editor for a public agency
• community relations editor for transit and transportation departments
• information production and distribution chief for a transit agency
• public information officer for a public utility
• editorial style manual developer for a public agency
• website developer and manager for public, private and nonprofit organizations
• newspaper reporter, editor and photographer
• associate public relations director for a nonprofit agency
• volunteer editor, writer and designer for progressive nonprofit organizations
• manuscript editor for graduate students and a nonfiction author.
• photographer and graphic designer for nonprofit and public organizations.

I have also been a journalism and business communications instructor at the college level and a writing trainer to employee groups.

My clear, concise writing and editing

I follow the principles of plain English (often called plain language because of its international use and value). It's an approach to writing that concentrates on the needs of readers while also meeting the needs of the writer and publisher. This clear-writing approach aids people who read at all levels of time, interest, education and literacy. It also benefits readers with limited English proficiency or learning disabilities.

I can provide half-day (or longer) training sessions to your staff in the principles and methods of plain English. And I can coach your staff in following this writing approach.

The basics of clear, concise writing -- using familiar words and simple sentences -- apply to all types of documents. Plain English improves the readability of letters and memos, reports and newsletters, brochures and presentations, instruction manuals and legal documents, and most other documents. The principles also apply directly to news releases and Web pages, and they aid translating English documents into other languages.

You can learn more about this approach at Garbl's Plain English Writing Guide.