Writer Author Editor

P: 832.549.2540 E: [email protected] SANDRA COOK 1815 Willowmoss Ct. WRITER • AUTHOR • EDITOR Houston, TX 77008 ______

EXPERTISE & QUALIFICATIONS

Writing/Editing Skills • Encyclopedic knowledge of Houston • Generating topics/story ideas • Fluent in conversational French • Establishing “flow” of publications • Working knowledge of Spanish • Editing for content and length • Microsoft Word • Writing in multiple disciplines/voices • Microsoft Excel • Tailoring pieces to intended audiences • Adobe Acrobat/PDF • Copy editing/proofreading • Adobe Photoshop • Managing stable of freelance writers • Basic HTML • Research and fact-checking • Internet/Web/E-mail • Production organization/scheduling • Writing/Editing Styles Subject Matter Experience • Journalistic (AP/CMS/WIT) • Leisure/arts/entertainment • Creative/narrative • Food/wine/dining/nightlife • Feature • Architecture/interior design • Informational/reference • Health/wellness/fitness • General Business Skills • Tourism and business travel

RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE

Houston House & Home — Houston, TX 02/10 – present Editor: Develop editorial calendar for monthly home and garden magazine, assign articles to freelance writers, interview homeowners, architects and designers, write feature stories, edit articles for content and length, copy edit and proofread all editorial, consult with art director on photography selections, coordinate special projects with industry associations, such as AIA, RDA and ASID.

Desert Publications—Palm Springs, CA 02/97 – 02/09 Editor, Multiple Publications: GuestLife Houston—Wrote for and edit an annual, hard-bound magazine for business travelers; orchestrated and directed photo shoots; delegated assignments to writers; wrote about performing arts, museums, restaurants, nightlife, area attractions, and professional sports; researched and fact-checked articles; created and managed production schedule Houston Meeting Planners Guide—Wrote for, edited, and developed a comprehensive, annual guide designed to attract large events and corporate conventions; collaborated with the GHCVB, publisher, and other stakeholders to create an accurate resource that highlights Houston as an ideal convention venue; wrote editorial content; verified/updated key statistics for event venues, lodging, convention space Official Guide to Houston—As the sole staffer, produced a 100-page, quarterly tourist magazine; formulated editorial; selected appropriate artwork/photography; directed photo shoots; interviewed subjects; wrote in-depth features; assigned stories to freelancers; edited content; coordinated Spanish translation of guide; finalized production with California-based publisher

AOL Digital City Houston—Dulles, VA 12/00 – 08/01 Entertainment Contributor: Wrote and updated weekly pieces about arts, dining, entertainment, events, live music, and shopping for a popular, online guide to the nation’s fourth-largest city

OntheRoad.com—San Francisco, CA 11/97 – 12/00 Houston Bureau Chief: Researched, wrote, and updated weekly articles on accommodations, restaurants, nightlife, arts/entertainment, and attractions for an executive travel Web site

Multimedia Publishing Corporation—Houston, TX 03/96 – 01/97 Staff Writer: Wrote for and edited two monthly telecommunications trade magazines

Houston Life Magazine—Houston, TX 12/93 – 09/95 Home & Garden Editor/Copy Editor: Commissioned articles, advised writers, wrote features and short items, and edited copy for the home and garden section of a monthly lifestyle publication

Freelance Writing and Editing 09/95 – present Author: Relocating to Houston and Surrounding Areas, Prima Publishing (ISBN: 978-0761525653) Writer: Feature articles, recurring pieces, and advertorial published in: Texas Monthly, Houston House & Home, Endless Vacation, Essentially America, Houston Health & Fitness, Total Body, and The University of Texas Houston Health Science Center Lifetime Letter Contributing Editor: Total Body

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies, minor in English, Southwestern University (Georgetown, TX) with academic internship at McCall’s magazine (New York)