Michelle McKenzie is a professional writer and editor based in Penn Valley, California. Her clients include nonprofits, life coaches, and health care professionals. Her client list includes the Monterey Bay Aquarium and The California Retired Teachers Association, among others.
Michelle edits a wide range of pieces from healthcare and coaching books to science reports and children’s books. As the publisher for the Monterey Bay Aquarium Press and managing editor, she worked on many natural history books.
Michelle has authored three children’s books and a book titled Sacramento, California: A Photographic Portrait, where her writing highlighted the fantastic photos of photographer Steve Pate-Newberry. She has had numerous articles published.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Michelle’s 20+ years of experience in the publishing industry include editing, contract negotiations for artists and authors, project management, budgeting, product development, proofreading, writing (and even book buying!).
Michelle has written brochures, children’s books, articles, catalog copy, card mailers, and press releases, and has a keen eye for turning your information into the marketing piece you need for growing your business.
SERVICES INCLUDE:
- Writing
- Nonfiction editing
- Proofreading
- Article research, interviewing, and writing
- Nonfiction writing
- Social media management
Awards/Advisory Positions
•Communications Committee – California Society of Association Executives 2007 to 2009
•Editor/Designer – Newsletter, Western Haflinger Association 2006 to 2009
•Vice president of the San Francisco chapter of the Women’s National Book Association. 2002-2004
•AWARD–Independent Publishers Book Award 2004; finalist, Jellyfish Inside Out
•AWARD–Publishers Marketing Association – Benjamin Franklin award 2003– Best Nature Book Jellies: Living Art , Managing Editor
•AWARD–Children’s Choice List 2002 Award– Children’s Literature; Ocean Pop & Pull –author
•Western US Book Design Award – Best Publisher’s Catalog 2001 – Coordinator/ Editor
•AWARD–Recipient for the Butterfield Scholarship, for publishing and marketing – 2001
•AWARD–Publishers Marketing Association – Benjamin Franklin award – Best Trade Catalog 2000
Formal Education
•Bachelor of Arts, Saint Mary’s College, Moraga, CA
•University of California, Davis, Research and Interview Techniques for Non-Fiction Writers
•Wildbranch Nature Writing Workshop, Craftsbury Common, VT
•Stanford Professional Publishing Course, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
•Stanford Web Publishing Course, Stanford University, Stanford, CA
•Natalie Goldberg Writers’ Retreat, Taos, New Mexico
•American Booksellers Association – Professional Booksellers School