Need a writer? No job is too small.
Punchy, witty and direct describes my style. I can write just about anything and make it interesting. I have explored life with intense curiosity and a restless spirit. Let me use that curiosity to dig around to help you figure out exactly what you need to say and how to say it.
I can write with authority about career development, job-seeking, employment issues, labour issues and the strange world inside the federal government.
I can write with flair and insight on topics such as travel, relationships, business profiles, food, history, antiques, books, entertainment, the arts, real estate and home ownership, and social issues and politics. I love my community, the Durham Region, and I love exploring forgotten places and quirky people.
My experience includes: six years as a writer-editor with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. One year as a communications advisor with Industy Canada. Three years with Employment Insurance reviewing EI claims. Publicity for the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. Writing for community papers, entertainment weeklies and one glossy national magazine. I have worked on organic farms on the west coast. Not long ago I took a break from government and tried other ways to make a living. I lasted three days inside a commercial greenhouse. I spent two months delivering beer. I’m currently a union activist.
Formal training / education
2008 Certificate in Creative Writing (Humber College)
2005 Humber Summer Workshop (Humber College)
2000 Special Events Management (Algonquin College)
1997 Bachelors of Arts, Mass Communication (Carleton University)
Grants and awards:
February 2010: Ontario Arts Council Grant — $12,000
January 2008: Writer’s Trust Scholarship — $1000
Spring 1995: Carleton University Short Story Contest — Third Prize
November 1983: Royal Canadian Legion Literary Competition — First Prize (Grenville Counties), Second Prize (Eastern Ontario District) and Third Prize (Provincial)
Recommendations
“In my experience, Stephanie is at her best when packaginq information in a way that attracts the attention of readers and helps them integrate the salient points of complex issues.” — Jean-Dominique Ieraci, my former manager at Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
“I read the submission and felt it was first-rate. The great thing about
it is, even though its written in a light style, the characters have great depth
and verisimilitude. I think you have a good hold of the material and
can ride the bronco until the buzzer sounds.” — Paul Quarrington
“This is very, very good. Your characters are incredibly real. If you don’t keep writing, I’ll be very disappointed.” — Bruce Jay Friedman
Some other neat things I’ve done
I’ve been to Australia, where I worked on an outback cattle ranch and got my SCUBA license; I’ve been to Nigeria, Africa, where I saw elephants from the back of a safari truck, Fiji, London, Amsterdam, across much of Canada and the U.S., including New Orleans, Seattle, Portland Oregon, Miami, Texas, and L.A.
I once walked across the border from Laredo, Texas, to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. In 2007 I got restless so I drove to Vancouver. That same year I took a train from Vancouver to Los Angeles. My second book will be about that restless time in my life and all the adventures I had.
These days I live quietly and thoughtfully in the beautiful Durham Region with my excellent partner, Laurence Louisy.
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