Journalism Experience

Freelance Writer and Editor, May 2018-Present
Weekly book columnist and contributing editor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Copy editor for HGTV.com. Contributing writer to LA Review of Books, Los Angeles magazine, Rolling Stone, the Guardian, Time Out, WebMD, and Atlanta magazine among other outlets.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 2006-May 2018
Lead Features Content Manager
• Assigned and edited long-form narrative features, profiles, and articles on travel, arts, and books.
• Wrote long-form narrative features, arts profiles, travel stories, book reviews
•  Recruited, trained and managed freelance writers
•  Planned and executed multi-platform publishing initiatives and social media strategies
• Collaborated with photographers, videographers and producers on packaging content for print and digital

Creative Loafing Atlanta, Sept. 1997-March 2006
Associate Editor
Produced weekly arts, film, music, and food sections, plus eight annual special sections for Atlanta’s leading alternative weekly; hired, trained and managed editors, reporters, and freelancers; assigned and edited cover stories, features, and reviews.

Teaching Experience

Decatur Writers Studio, Nov. 2016-May 2018
Director
Programmed year-round writing classes and summer writing camps; recruited author instructors; organized promotional events; managed social media promotions

Emory University
Instructor, Writing Arts Criticism, Journalism Program

Emory University Continuing Education
Instructor, Creative Nonfiction Writing; Personal Essay Writing; Travel Writing; Capstone Project

San Miguel Writers Conference
Instructor, The Art of the Scene in Narrative Writing

Education

MFA in Creative Writing, Nonfiction
Queens University of Charlotte, N.C.

BA in Journalism, Print Media
University of South Carolina, College of Journalism

Select Published Works

Books
Moon Puerto Rico, 5th edition, Hachette/Avalon
Moon San Juan, Vieques and Culebra, 2nd edition, Hachette/Avalon

Articles
• ‘The Gulf’ a Comic Commentary on a Nation Divided, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 2019
• Zora and Langston: How a Friendship Sparked and Doused the Harlem Renaissance, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 2019
• The Mysterious Allure of Marfa, Texas, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 2018
• Muckrakers’ Legacy Lives on in Photo Show of ’80s-Era Homeless, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Oct. 2018
• 2,000 Nights and Counting for Blues Musician Mudcat, Intown Living, Oct. 2018
• How a Chef Disrupted Disaster Relief Efforts in Puerto Rico, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sept. 2018
• Amber Tamblyn Flips the Script with Debut Novel ‘Any Man,’ Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Aug. 2018
• After the Storm: A Volunteer Trip to Puerto Rico Reveals an Island Still Recovering 5 Months Later, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 2018
• ‘Still Hungry in America’ Revisits 1967 Photo Project that Changed Food Stamp Policy, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 2018
• How An Unknown Musician Once Saved Townes Van Zandt’s Life, Rolling Stone, Nov. 2017
• What a Long Strange Trip It’s Been, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Nov. 2017
• Lucinda Williams Conjures Ghosts of Highway 20, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 2017
• Picarones: Peru’s Favourite Late-Night Snack, the Guardian, Dec. 2016
• Little St. Simons: Exclusive Barrier Island is Bird-Watcher’s Wonderland, AJC, June 2016
• Sapelo Island: Geechee Community Endures, But Just Barely, AJC, June 2016
• St. Simons: Kayaking the Salt Marshes of Glynn County, AJC, June 2016
• Cumberland Island: Visitors Benefit From Push-Pull Efforts to Preserve, Share Natural Wonder, AJC, June 2016
• Tybee Island: Popular Coastal Destination Is Having a Culinary Moment, AJC, June 2016
• Erica Jong Still Sexing Up Her Satire With Fear of Dying, AJC, August 2015
• The Fugitive’s Sister, AJC, Oct. 2014
• Preserving Flannery O’Connor’s Legacy at Andalusia, AJC, April 2014
• Rincón Beckons Visitors to Puerto Rico’s West Coast, AJC, Jan. 2014
• Pied Piper of the Beltline, AJC, Oct. 2013
• Ponce Recalls 19th Century Colonialism in Puerto Rico, AJC, Oct. 2012

Essays
• Home for the Holidays, AJC, Dec. 2013
• Land of Shannon, Full Grown People, Sept. 2013
• Box of Stones, The Gettysburg Review, Autumn 2010
• Augusten Burroughs: The Craft of Memoir Writing, The Chattahoochee Review, Fall 2010

Awards and Accolades

Writing
• Best Arts Criticism, 2020 Society of Professional Journalists Green Eyeshade Awards, 2nd place, book reviews
• Best Travel Writing, 2017 Society of Professional Journalists Green Eyeshade Awards, 1st place, “Discover Georgia’s Barrier Islands”

Video
• Best Documentary, 2019 Southeastern Emmy Awards, executive producer, “Bronco Goes to Camp”

Lectures, Panels, and Readings

• AJC Decatur Book Festival, video interview with author Ron Rash, 2020
• San Miguel de Allende Literary Conference, lecturer, 2019, 2021
• To Outline or Not to Outline, Broadleaf Writers Conference, moderator, 2017
• Essentials of Narrative Nonfiction, Hub City Writers Project, lecturer, 2016
• Diversity in Literary Criticism, Decatur Book Festival, panelist, 2016
• Fact. Vs. Truth in Narrative Nonfiction, Decatur Book Festival, moderator, 2015
• Women on the Verge of a Breakdown/Breakthrough, DBF, moderator; 2013
• Write Club reading series, author; 2014
• True Story! reading series, author; 2010, 2013
• How to Run a Successful Freelance Writing Business, Atlanta Press Club, panelist; 2009

Fellowship and Conferences

• Boston University Power of Narrative Conference, 2017
• Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference; 2013, 2015
• Fellow, Hambidge Center for the Arts & Sciences; 2013
• Neiman Conference on Narrative Journalism, Harvard University; 2002

Related Volunteer Work

• Decatur Book Festival, planning committee, 2013-2018
• Decatur Book Festival, programming committee, 2013-2018
• Society for Features Journalism Excellence in Features Writing, judge; 2010-2012
• Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Awards, arts features judge; 2008-2009