PERSONAL PROFILE

I am an individual who is achievement driven, able to adapt to a variety of working environments. My experience relates primarily from writing and editing through to desktop publishing and web design and in my quest for excellence and quality, I look to take on new challenges to increase my learning and broaden my job scope. I have recently moved to a Linux Open Source desktop system and am currently evaluating desktop publishing, graphics and writing programs with a view to utilising them for my own part time writing career. My writing career is still ongoing and having completed two self published (PDF) novels, I am currently working on my third, which will also be self published. I continue to seek editing and writing assignments whenever possible and am still a book reviewer for ebooksnbytes.com.

KEY SKILLS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

Project Management:

• Editing print publications and websites
• Concept development (publications, novels and websites)
• Brochure and catalogue design (four colour process)
• Web copy editing and some design work
  

Technical Application:

• Desktop publishing using Quark Xpress and PageMaker, designing a wide range of brochures, flyers and posters, etc.
• Widely published freelance writer utilising a variety of mediums; web, PDF and traditional print environments
• Website design using FrontPage, HomeSite and Wordpad

Planning Management:

• Tendering for funding, designing and editing various publications using diverse programs
• Former editor for Bayswater Inside Out
• Former Production Editor for Divan
• Freelance author and publisher
  

CAREER SUMMARY:

• Debenhams Retail PLC November 2004 to current. This was a part time Christmas temp job that became full time in a short space of time due to my ability to adapt to completely new working situations.
• Web Designer (work placement): Learning IT: July 2004 - October 2004. This was part of my work placement after completing my CIW webmaster course, my primary goals being content editing and layout.
• Volunteer Web Designer and Tutor: Community Projects: 2003 - 2004. These jobs were a lifesaver in terms of keeping me busy while I adjust to life in Britain.
• Self-employed: Freelance web designer, editor and layout artist: 2000 - 2003. This position was a part time role that saw me working on a number of contracts from catalogue design through to web content editing and some web design work and freelance writing.
• Various positions: College vacational and weekend work: 1997 - 2000. This relates to the advertised position due to the fact that most of my manual labouring positions were within the printing industry where I worked with binding, collating and printing, thus giving me a comprehensive view of the publishing world.
  

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS:

• Webmaster for The Community Orchard, Alloa: October 2003-July 2005. I was responsible for web content editing and commissioning, design work and concept development.
• Webmaster for Clackmannanshire Women's Technology Centre: October 2003-February 2004: I took a two page site and utilising existing content and with the addition of some new content turned it into a professional website.
• Editor for Bayswater Inside Out: December 1999-July 2001. Bayswater Inside Out (BIO) was a local newspaper with a print run of 6,500 servicing the local community, my duties involved editing, sourcing material and towards the end, layout work as well as pre press work.
• Production editor for Divan: March 1998-September 1998. Divan is an online poetry journal and I initially helped take the publication from an idea to a cultural resource that was archived by the Australian National University as being of 'lasting cultural significance.
• Editor and designer for the Professional Writing and Editing website: January 1998-December 1998. I once again took the site from concept to reality, the site was cutting edge for its time.
• Editor for The Australian Jodie Foster website: March 1997-December 1999, My duties involved editing and dealing with correspondence with Ms Foster's agent.

TRAINING & EDUCATION:

• CIW Professional (Webmaster) Learning IT
• CCNA 1 (Cisco Networking) ongoing
• Certificate IV - Small Business Management
• Diploma of Arts, Professional Writing and Editing

SOFTWARE PROFICIENCIES:

Windows software
Microsoft Office, Quark Xpress, PageMaker, PhotoShop, PDF conversion utilities, FrontPage, HomeSite, Flash, Dreamweaver, (incl. non WYSIWYG editors), CSS,  Windows 3.1 to Windows XP.
Linux software
OpenOffice, Koffice, Scribus, The Gimp, Inkscape, PDF conversion utilities, Kate and other editors including VI, other programs as appropriate.
Mac software
Basic System 8 only, PageMaker, Quark Xpress, PhotoShop, various other programs.

INTERESTS:

• Writing
• Computers
• Travelling
• Socialising

REFERENCES:

References are available on request.

Poet/Songwriter,
Luba Yamskaya
Meditating

Got a book you need reviewed?
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