Welcome

Thank you for visiting my site.
If you're looking for an accomplished, creative, multifaceted and fresh-voiced writer/editor who thrives on learning new things, we should talk.

Clips are available at www.maryalicebitts.blogspot.com.
Additional clips available on request

References are available on request.

MARYALICE C. BITTS

131 Ruby Street, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
717-299-5228 · ma_bitts@yahoo.com

Qualifications Profile

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Accomplished and multifaceted Feature Writer / Editor with solid experience writing and editing fresh and compelling newspaper and magazine articles, marketing copy and Web content for both targeted and general audiences.

• Expertise in planning, developing and composing dynamic content for a variety of media and publications within a broad range of fields, including news, arts, literary, educational and non-profit.
  
• Outstanding copyediting and general editorial strengths; able to create grammatically flawless content to achieve compositions that comply with publication tone.
  
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to foster close, personal relationships with staff, peers and community.
  
• Strong motivation; capable of completing projects within fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
  
• Proficient in Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Microsoft Office Suite, Lotus Notes, and WS-FTP; familiar with PageMaker and InDesign. Adept on both PC and MAC platforms and with HTML.

Professional Highlights

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Freelance Writer / Editor, Lancaster, PA, 1997-2000; 2002-Present

Conduct weekly interviews and write features for largest newspaper in the region; compose, develop and edit clean and innovative content for arts, business, literary, news, educational and nonprofit organizations. Establish trusting and beneficial relationships. Evaluate publisher needs and requirements, generating a high rate of repeat business and a generous client base.

• Published approximately 300 newspaper articles and 70+ magazine articles in a wide variety of titles, including the Lancaster Sunday News, Intelligencer Journal, Rapportage magazine, Lancaster magazine and NOW Magazine; interviewees included Jessye Norman, Roger Daltrey, Kenny Rogers, and Jethro Tull.
  
• Regularly recognized, through bonuses, for exceptionally high-quality work.

LANCASTER NEWSPAPERS, LANCASTER, PA
Web Content Coordinator, 2000-2002

Developed and wrote content for 3 regional newspaper Web sites (readership of more than 190,000). Composed articles and content and designed pages, banners and graphics for niche sections of site. Conceptualized interactive features, such as weekly reader polls. Created topics for chat discussions and groups. Selected and uploaded news feeds. Trained clients to use in-house software, to increase community engagement with site.

• Helped drastically transform underserved Web site into a flourishing, interactive, and popular news source; grew content and increased site traffic.
  
• Used exceptional writing and creative development skills to provide reliable and comprehensive news coverage, visual aids, and timelines of September 11, 2001 occurrence.

BROOKSHIRE PRINTING/ LANCASTER MAGAZINE, LANCASTER, PA
Feature Writer / Editor, 1990-1997

Wrote and edited feature articles for multiple magazines; authored a monthly magazine column. Interviewed community members. Participated in magazine planning meetings; directly responsible for editing and proofreading operations for all magazines, journals, advertisements, and brochures.

• Quickly promoted from proofreader to feature writer to copy editor/columnist, in recognition of outstanding writing and editing ability.
  
• Recipient of 7 Women in Communications Awards.

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Additional experience includes Writer / Editor / Coordinator for InnerLink, Inc./ProGrants/IDEALL; Curriculum Developer for Applied Educational Systems; PR & Development Assistant for School District of Lancaster; Shipper/Coordinator, Receptionist (Kelly Svcs) for R.R. Donnelley & Sons and GlaxoSmithKline

Publications and Projects

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Writing: Lancaster Sunday News, Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster magazine, NOW Magazine, Rapportage, Pennsylvania Academy of Music, Lancaster Community Foundation

Editing: West Chester to 1865: That Elegant and Notorious Place, Lessons Learned at Ground Zero, Lessons Learned: Successes Achieved. Lancaster magazine, Southern Delaware magazine. Proofed: The Civil War Soldier: A Historical Reader

PR Content: Press releases, grants, restaurant reviews, newsletters and marketing collateral.

Web Design: Center for PA Culture Studies, Pennsylvania State University, IDEALL, ProGrants, Innerlink Inc., Zoetropolis

Education and Awards

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Bachelor of Arts Degrees in English and Music • Marywood College—Scranton, PA
Magna Cum Laude (English); English Department Award, Creative Writing Award, Breslin Medal for Journalism

Candidate for Humanities Degree • Pennsylvania State University—Middletown, PA, 2002 to Present
Additional Coursework in Web Design; GPA 3.9


~ Excellent professional portfolio available upon request or at www.maryalicebitts.blogspot.com ~