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Resume

Patricia Lynn Henley

patricialynnhenley@nullcomcast.net / 707-227-8203 / Sonoma, CA
www.PatriciaLynnHenley.com / www.linkedin.com/in/patricialynnhenley

Writer, Editor, Proofreader

Creative and detail-oriented writer, editor, and proofreader. Equally skilled at crafting perfect phrases, managing complex projects, and working both independently and collaboratively. Capable of tackling a wide range of topics on tight deadlines. Experienced with Associated Press (AP) and other style guidelines; proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and content management systems.

Work Experience

Self-Employed/Contract Writer
Writer, editor, proofreader, project manager; April 2014 to present.

  • Program Analyst and Content Writer for Eightfold Way Consultants’ Disability Benefits 101 websites. Create plain-language content explaining disability benefits. Serve as the company’s subject matter expert for TANF, SNAP, and financial programs like ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts. Research and write articles, and perform a variety of tasks including proofreading, copy editing, content maintenance, SEO optimization, and interviewing and coordinating with subject matter experts.
  • Crafted engaging destination marketing content for Sonoma County Tourism. Served as editor/project manager for a variety of email newsletters  and the What’s New blog and monthly press release.
  • Wrote and edited promotional copy for Studio M Publishing and Wine Country Walking Tours.
  • Proofread and edited legal, academic, and technical materials and manuscripts for a variety of clients.

CostHelper.com
Senior staff writer; May 2009 to November 2013
Founded in 2006, CostHelper provided consumer-related information on thousands of goods and services; at its peak the site earned more than a million hits a month. Took a lead role in writing, editing, proofreading, and publishing articles and daily blog posts as this start-up website’s library grew from a few hundred to thousands of topics. Managed editorial workload and calendar, and prepared content for publishing.

Self-Employed/Contract Writer
Writer, editor, proofreader; April 2005 to November 2009
Projects included online content, newspaper stories, magazine articles, and manuscripts for a variety of clients. Met all deadlines with well-researched and thoughtful stories and text.

North Bay Bohemian
Reporter, part time; November 2005 to December 2007
Assignments ranged from news briefs of 100 to 400 words, to 3,000- to 4,000-word feature stories for an alternative newsweekly in Northern California (circulation 29,000).

Sonoma Index-Tribune
News editor, reporter; June 1995 to April 2005
Produced a high volume of features and hard news stories on tight deadlines for a twice-weekly community newspaper (circulation 8,000) in Sonoma, California. Assigned topics and edited articles by staff and freelance reporters; managed workflow for Entertainment section.

Education

  • Master’s degree in journalism, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
  • Bachelor’s degree in philosophy, California State University, Sacramento, CA, summa cum laude
  • Associate degree in graphic arts, Mission Community College, Santa Clara, CA, with honors

Awards

  • California Newspaper Publishers Association:
    • First place, 2004 and 1998 for Best Lifestyle Coverage
    • First place, 1997 for Best Environmental Reporting
    • A lead member of editorial teams that won first place for General Excellence in 1999 and 1996
  • Reader’s Digest Excellence in Journalism Award at Stanford University, February 1995