Professional Summary
Diversely skilled and experienced freelance writer and editor with excellent interviewing and communications skills, who has written three novels (as yet unpublished) and published two non-fiction books -- one a biography of a woman business leader and one about caregiving; the latter is undergoing revision now.
Also on the creative side, I have also written several short and full-length plays, which have been workshopped and given productions in local and regional theaters.
I also initiated an arts-preview column in a daily newspaper and now am the arts reporter of weekly newspaper/24/7 digital edition; interviewed, researched and written feature stories for newspapers and magazines; written award-winning grants; and has copyedited or edited books for a leading charitable organization, designer, nonprofit consultant, former railroad engineer, and Army think tank.
Most importantly, I am known for my good listening skills and ability to connect with clients and sources I interview for publications.
See my Web site: www.traininblankwriting.com, which is undergoing redesign, etc.
Experience
Book Writing:
Biography about Mary Sachs, clothing retail entrepreneur and philanthropist in Harrisburg, Pa. Published by Sunbury Press, 2015.
Book on caregiving experiences, What to Do about Mama, published by Sunbury Press, 2013, co-authored with Barbara G. Matthews.
Both are also available on Amazon, Kindle, Barnes & Noble.
Wrote two novels, one an updating of Nancy Drew and one a follow-up to "Man of La Mancha," the hit musical, for an annual one-month novel-writing competition.
Journalist 1986-Present
Contribute or have contributed articles, book reviews, and arts previews or reviews to publications such as:
Local/regional:
Washington Jewish Week; Beacon magazine.
Patriot-News; Carlisle Sentinel; Business2Business magazine; On-Line Publishing (Business Woman and B magazines); Central Penn Business Journal; Harrisburg magazine; Central PA magazine; New Social Worker magazine.
New York:
Health magazine; Emergency Medicine magazine; Hadassah; Naamat Woman; Jewish Woman; Jewish Forward; Jewishlearning.com; Jewish Week; Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
Editor/copyeditor 1986-Present
Since 2011, Proofread and copyedit scholarly studies for the Strategic Studies Institute of the U.S. Army War College.
Have edited several books for Mary Knackstedt, designer (currently, for Wiley and Sons, Inc.); the Federation of Jewish Philanthropies of New York; Laura Starke, Being the Change, about community leadership; Michael Sand, nonprofit and grant consultant; also, evaluating books for Dr. Larry May, about cultural history; and Israela Meyerstein, about her illness.
Creative writer 2000-Present
In progress: Book about caretaking (with Barbara Matthews) and three novels on pen pals (with Dorothy King).
Short plays have been workshopped at Theatre Ariel (Philadelphia), Theatre Harrisburg, Little Theatre of Mechanicsburg, Cicada Festival, Lebanon Valley College, Conference of Association of Jewish Theater, Carlisle Theatre, Senior Theater of central Pennsylvania, and Carlisle Area High School.
First full-length children’s musical presented in 2011 at Gretna Theatre, a professional venue. This summer is the second.
Grant Writer 1996-Present
Brainstorm needs, research funding opportunities, and write grant proposals for nonprofits seeking funding.
For example, helped solicit a $1,000,000 from Weinberg Foundation for Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg.
Other clients/projects include: National Civil War Museum; Jewish Family Service and its Mynd Works program; Yeshiva Academy of Greater Harrisburg; Londonderry School; and Harrisburg Academy.
Education
Writing Courses Varied
Have taken classes at New School for Social Research; Columbia University; Penn Writers; and courses toward Masters degree in journalism at Temple University Harrisburg campus.
Business Seminars Varied
Chamber of Commerce, Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, Women’s Network of Harrisburg.
B.A., Barnard College, Columbia University, New York, NY
Phi Beta Kappa, *** Laude, Honors in Sociology (major)
Skills
Excellent interview skills. Ability to connect with diverse interview subjects.
Expertise on Macintosh and Word for Mac, as well as familiarity with PCs.
Quick study, able to learn background about diverse subject matters.
Research experience, online and off.
Strong communication skills, in speaking and writing.
Excellent proofreading and copyediting skills.--trained at Emergency Medicine magazine in New York City.
Hard-working but creative worker.
Ability to balance several simultaneous projects and to work on my own as well as with others.
Memberships
Linkedin Editors & Writers; Seasoned Writers & Editors
Media Bistro
Playwrights Alliance of Pennsylvania (PAPA).
Sand Associates—network of nonprofit consultants, including grant writers.
Editorial Board, Community Review (biweekly newspaper) of Jewish Federation of Harrisburg.
Executive Committee, Coordinating Council of Bikur Cholim in NY.
Member-at-large, Executive Broad, Association of Jewish Theater.